Prototypical Infrastructure on the LA River

In an era of increasing wildfire threats, a period defined by fire and combustion that can be called the Pyrocene, this project reimagines the Los Angeles River as a critical line of defense and a vital community asset. It proposes interventions at the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), creating dual-purpose infrastructure that provides engaging public space for daily life. These spaces are designed to foster new community rituals while offering essential water resources and shelter during a fire.

Analysis & Strategy

The project directly confronts the shifting wildfire-urban boundary and the destructive fire-rebuild cycle that impacts residents. Sited in the high-risk Glendale area, the strategy is to create prototypes that function as public amenities in normal times and as life-saving infrastructure during a fire emergency.

Three Fire-Ready Prototypes for the WUI

These projects propose public programs that occupy the boundaries of proposed firebreaks or buffer zones: Reservoir Hub: An expanded reservoir featuring a public amphitheater that converts into a community fire shelter and a strategic water distribution point. Community Pool & Cistern: A neighborhood swimming pool that serves as a recreational hub while its water volume acts as a ready reserve for firefighting. Infrastructural Bridge: A bridge over the river with integrated water tanks that support a park while storing vast amounts of water for an emergency fire response.

LA River in the Future

Together, these prototypes create an integrated water system for fire defense. Rather than trying to restore a wild state that no longer exists, the project seeks to "recompose" the LA River. It transforms it from a simple channel into a resilient public landscape built on principles of solidarity and reciprocity , actively fostering social resilience to protect its community in the face of wildfire.