Case Study Houses Catalog Could Make Comeback Post-Wildfires

Case Study Houses, the post-World War II method of building homes from blueprint catalogs, could make a big comeback in the wake of this year’s deadly Los Angeles wildfires.

Crest Real Estate founder Steven Somers and CEO Jason Somers are looking to the past to rebuild for the future in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades. The brothers co-founded Case Study 2.0, an effort to bring together about 40 architects to design up to 50 affordable floor plans that can be submitted for pre-approval, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

The plan mimics that of the Case Study homes that were mostly built in Los Angeles County during the baby boom.

“We wanted to pick up the baton where they left it and adapt the program to the needs of today,” Steven told the Daily News. “If we can get away from completely one-off construction projects, and we can start building these things at scale, then you can build an aesthetically elevated house by a world-class architect for substantially reduced construction costs.”

Case Study 2.0 is the latest grassroots initiative after the wildfires to create pre-approved, standard plans for those who lost their homes to rebuild. Foothill Catalog Foundation, Sunset Mesa Collective and Habitat for Humanity are also using blueprints as a way of getting around red tape.

Los Angeles County planners are in support of the project, with the L.A. County Advance Planning Division already reviewing 30 plans such as Case Study 2.0.

“We know there are a lot of people that want to help, especially design professionals, and we want to facilitate their ability to help,” Ed Rojas, assistant director of L.A. County’s Advance Planning Division, told the Daily News. “Having a pre-approved standard plan allows a design professional to offer their product at a lower cost versus a custom-designed home.”

It wouldn’t be the first time the state adopted pre-approved plans such as these. In 2018, when a massive wildfire nearly destroyed the town of Paradise north of Sacramento, hundreds of homeowners flocked to floor plans such as those offered by the Rebuild Paradise Foundation; more homes are under construction using those blueprints.

Similarly, companies like HPM Building Supply offered home floor plan catalogs after fires ripped through Maui in 2023.

While these catalogs are for homes intended for permanent residence, prefab alternatives like container homes and 3D-printed structures are offering wildfire victims temporary shelter.

— Chris Malone Méndez