(Re) Imagining Paradise

[Re] Imagining Paradise Amanda Radner | Studio White | Cal Poly, SLO

Studio Sponsors WRNS Studios Cal Poly Student Affairs BNIM Architects mode associates Chico State University Kijeong Jeon Rouben Mohiuddin Debra Larsen Seema Sehrawat Rachel Simmons Melody Stapleton State of California Seth Doulton, Treasurers’ Office Fiona Ma, State Treasurer Eric Shaw, Office of Emergency Services Danna Stapleton, Lieutenant Governor’s Office

Acknowledgements Special thank you to the following people for the help you have poured into this project: the entire FLAD team, Stacey White, Mario Esola, and my project partner Ella McQuillen

Cal Poly David Askay Mark Cabrinha Mario Esola Amir Hajrasouliha Keith Humphrey Bob Linscheid Kent MacDonald Margot Macdonald Bill Siembieda Sandy Stannard Jesse Vestermark Russell White Paradise Residents Abby Armer Charles Brooks Melissa Boutelle Lowell Forward Melissa Schuster Tama Czarnecki Olivia Taylor Other Lief Mckay Melanie Mills Byron Mouton Brian Tanner Auburn Rural Studio John Willbanks Phyllis Wong Waggonner and Ball

Chapter 1 Introduction Executive Summary Design Process and Project Phases

Chapter 2 History Culture and Community Assets Economic Prior and Anticipatory Demographics

Chapter 3 The Camp Fire Defining and Implementing Recovery Wildland Urban Interface Resiliency Learning from Others

Chapter 4 Outreach and Common Themes How Might We...

Community Vision and Goals Creating a replicable model

Chapter 5 General Plan Update The West Village

Chapter 6 Designing Resliency Project Connection The Project Purpose Program Performance Goals and Accomplishments Formal Influences Site Plan Floor Plans Structural Circulation Thermal and Ventilation Systems Exterior and Interior Rendered Vignettes Materials and Resiliency

Chapter 7 Where do We Go from Here?

Strategic Investments Incentivizing Rebuiling Right Next Steps

Bibliography Appendices Noteworthy Precedent Research Design Iterations ARCH 307 Lab/ Project Submissions ARCH 342 Lab/ Project Submissions

Table of Contents

Chapter Introduction Executive Summary Design Process and Project Phases

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Introduction

When first approaching the town of Paradise, you are greeted by a breathtaking canyon view accompanied by sloped mountains covered in undulating rivers of green pines.

Legend has it that the town gets its name from a passing mill crew after delivering a load of lumber on an unusually warm summer’s day. Exhausted, they came into the shade of the lush pine forests and sat on the soft needles below.

Satiated, one of the men exclaimed, “Boys, this is paradise!”

For anyone who has traveled Skyway Road, it is easy to see why the name stuck. The majestic natural beauty of the canyon and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains instill a humbling sense of awe. Upon the mountain and away from the noise of the city, Paradise residents are very fond of their small town. The tall pine trees around their houses provided privacy and a close connection to nature; the various public events throughout the year created a strong relationship amongst the community. Because of this strong community bond, the town was able to recover quickly after the 2008 fires (Humboldt Fire and Camp Fire). The Paradise community is indisputably resilient.

When the Paradise residents were awakened by panicked knocking on their doors on November 8th, 2018, they had no idea that they were facing the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the history of California. Wildfires were an ever present reality in the area. Because if this, some people decided to stay behind to protect their homes and businesses.

However, the black smoke soon covered the sky and ashes engulfed the entire town. By the time people realized that they had to evacuate, the smoke had blocked all the sunlight and it seemed like dusk rather than dawn. Stumbling and struggling to see and breathe, Paradise residents tried to flee out of town as fast as possible. Unfortunately, some of them ended up on disconnected roads or stuck in the stand-still traffic and escaped on foot. The fire scorched approximately 153,000 acres of land, killed 86 people, and took 17 days before it was put out after heavy rainfall.

knowledge and technology. The streets can be repaved to have sidewalks and bike lanes, commercial buildings can be closer to each other, and a wildland-urban interface zone can be created to provide defensible space and create a more physically resilient condition.

Paradise also has a chance to be proactive and solve other issues, including creating a town that is energy, water, and waste regenerative. This is an opportunity for Paradise to become the first Zero Net Energy town in California, paving the way for what is possible by evolving into an ideal mountain town. The heartbreaking tragedy of the past not only shaped Paradise’s history, but also becomes a chance to reimagine the town to be more resilient socially, economically and physically.

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Lots of conversations about loss arose after the fire, but the lesson gained from this tragedy should not be forgotten.

Looking at history, humans tend to not change our lifestyle or technology until something catastrophic happens. For example, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the subsequent fire changed the city’s understanding of housing.

The dense wooden structures were a tinderbox waiting for a match that, once ignited, would burn down a quarter of the city. This horrifying natural disaster sparked discussion of improving earthquake engineering design, urban planning, and fireproofing for buildings. There is so much that we can learn from the Camp Fire, and there is so much we can do to prevent the next wildfire in Paradise and communities like it.

After losing over 90% of its structures, Paradise has a second chance to be planned and built with contemporary 1

Twenty-six thousand people were displaced due to the Camp Fire. One thousand families are still searching for housing six months after the fire. In order for these people to return home, Paradise needs to be rebuilt in a timely manner. A group of third-year architecture students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo intends to bring inspiration for Paradise residents through designing sustainable, fire-resistant, communityoriented buildings. Based on research and multiple rounds of community meeting feedback, a new town concept plan, along with individual building designs, have been tailored to revitalize Paradise and to act as catalysts for further investment. Through mentoring and peer-review of designs from professional firms, the projects are able to be developed more fully to bring Paradise residents hope that there will be a home they can return to.

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Design Process and Project Phases

From January through June, the workflow was designed around human-centered design thinking. The process, created by the founders of the firm Ideo, is a method of solving complex problems. It is an iterative design process grounded in building understanding first, then giving all parties involved a chance to explore divergent ideas and thoughts, all before focusing in on converging solutions to address specific community needs.

The 23-week long process was organized as follows with key presentations noted by date: Researching and Building Understanding (and Empathy) - 4 weeks (2 weeks prior to the course) January 17, 2019 Urban / Concept Planning (Defining Issues) - 2 Weeks Catalytic Project Conceptual Design (Creating Solutions/Prototyping/Testing) - 3 Weeks February 22,2019 Merged Catalytic Project Conceptual Design (Creating Solutions/Prototyping/Testing) - 3 weeks Supplementary Research and Tours of Cities (Revising Empathy/Issues) - 3 weeks Catalytic Project Schematic Design (Creating Solutions/Prototyping/Testing) - 2 weeks April 19, 2019 Catalytic Project and Concept Plan Design Development) - 8 weeks June 3, 2019

Chapter History Culture and Community Assets Economic Prior and Anticipatory Demographics Ecosystem Understanding

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History

The rich history of Paradise dates back to 1848 when gold was first discovered along the American River. This attracted many of the early settlers of Paradise. The largest gold nugget, weighing 54 pounds, was found in Magalia, an adjacent town to the North. This inspired the Gold Nugget Days Festival which is celebrated annually in April.

To respond to the growing population due to the Gold Rush, infrastructure was built reactively to support the families settling in Paradise. Lumber mills, a post office, a school, and a church were built by 1880. Then a new round of settlers came to Paradise and established agriculture which would become a big part of the town’s identity. More infrastructure like the Magalia Reservoir and the Paradise Irrigation District were created to support the irrigation needs of local agriculture. In 1889, they celebrated the Paradise Harvest Festival in honor of this agricultural heritage which has now become the Johnny Appleseed Days that Paradise celebrates today.

From 1950 to the mid-1960s the population quadrupled to 20,000 people in just over a decade at which point they decided to become incorporated as a town. This rampant growth resulted in a town that was built reactively, instead of with a clear plan in place, with low density, sprawl, limited infrastructure, and discontinuous streets. These problems would contribute to the devastation of the wildfires to come.

In 2008, the Humboldt Fire evacuated 9,500 residents and destroyed 66 homes. Ten years later, in November of 2018, the Camp Fire devastates the town killing 85 people and destroying 14,000 homes and 5,000 other buildings. This tragic event brought about the question of whether it would be safe to rebuild the town the way it was. The town lacked adequate infrastructure and central planning, and was therefore not fire resilient. This tragedy now becomes an opportunity to redesign a town that addresses these problems to create a Paradise that is resilient physically, socially, and economically.

Important Dates: Pre-1800: Land is inhabited by the Maidu Tribes 1849: Gold is first discovered in the American River and attracts the first settlers; they search along Feather River and finally settle in Butte County 1860-1879: First town infrastructure is built including a school, post office, and a church 1880: Logging and livestock become main economic sectors; population reaches 301 1904: Railway system is established; settlers from the Eastern United States travel to California and develop agriculture in Butte County 1916: Farming flourishes due to the construction of Magalia Reservoir and the establishment of Paradise Irrigation District 1937: The first Paradise fair is held 1955: “Paradise� is given its name. Population of Paradise reaches approximately 5,000 1966: Population reaches 20,000 1979: Paradise is incorporated as an official town covering approximately 18 square miles 2000: Population reaches 26,400 2008: The Humboldt Fire stretches over 22,800 acres between Chico and Paradise; 9500 residents are evacuated from their homes and 66 homes are destroyed 2018: Camp Fire, the deadliest California wildfire to date, strikes Paradise and Chico area. 10,000 structures burned down

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The culture of Paradise revolves around its history, community, and outdoor environment. The many assets of Paradise create its culture. Their greatest assets are its festivals and events, Recreation Center, Performing Arts Center, the many outdoor activities available to residents, and most importantly their strong community ties. All of these make it their beloved home.

Their major festivals are the Gold Nugget Days, Johnny Appleseed Days, and the Chocolate Festival. Gold Nugget Days celebrate the beginnings of Paradise as a gold mining town where nearby in Magalia the largest gold nugget was found.

The first two days of the festival feature a parade, a Miss Gold Nugget Pageant, children’s costume contest, donkey derby, crafts fair, among many other fun activities. Johnny Appleseed Days celebrate its history of agriculture. It is a festival in which there is local entertainment, vendors, artisans, and most importantly apple pies. The residents of Paradise bake a thousand apple pies for this event. The Chocolate Fest is a fun day to celebrate all things chocolate. Among the events during this day are the fun run called Chocolate Chase, a bike ride called Tour ‘de Chocolate, the Chocolate Cuisine Challenge, and the royal coronation of the Chocolate Fest Queen and King. These three festivals bring the community together to celebrate their town, history, and people. It is one of their strongest assets. The other most important asset the town has is its natural environment.

Paradise is recognized for its dynamic surroundings, with vistas of pine and oak forests, rivers, and mountains. Being here is like living and breathing nature. During the summer months, there are swimming spots and rivers right outside of town.

There are many hikes and trails like the Paradise Flume Trail to the east of town and the Paradise Memorial Trailway which is located right along the middle of town. In the winter months when it snows, a short drive southwest allows them to ski and snowboard. In town, they have parks like Billie Park which has beautiful landscaping, a gazebo, and a lake which make it a great place to go for the day. It is also a great venue for events like weddings and birthdays. There is also Terry Ashe Park where the Paradise Recreation Center is located. It is utilized for birthdays and events and during the winter the skating rink opens. The natural landscape and available outdoor activities make being active in sports and outdoors a great part of the lives of the people of Paradise.

All of these assets of festivals, nature and outdoor activities, and civic centers create the culture and lifestyle of Paradise.

These are the reasons people settled in Paradise and the reason people choose to retire and stay here. It is what makes its people feel proud and passionate about their town.

Culture and Community Assets

Economic

Similar to many rural towns scattered across the United States, Paradise had a very localized economy. As a town with a majorly aging population, the economy of Paradise employs 10,024 people out of a total population of 26,396 people.

Based on an index in which the U.S. average cost of living is 100 (an index > 100 means it is more expensive compared to the U.S. average), California is 169, and Paradise is 111. Housing is the biggest factor in cost of living. The median property value is $205,500, which is higher than the U.S. ($193,500), but lower than California ($442,400).

As a comparatively affordable town for the state of California, it is no surprise that some former Chico residents would want to retire to this area. In fact, the top three industries in Paradise complement this aging population. The top three industries of Paradise are healthcare and social assistance (25.8%; 2,589 people), retail trade (13.2%; 1,319 people), and educational services (8.4%; 844 people). The healthcare and social assistance category consists of registered nurses, nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides, and personal care aides. This category is the fifth highest paying industry in Paradise; employees earn a median annual income of $32,483.

The retail trade category consists of retail salespersons, first-line supervisors of retail sales workers, and cashiers. The educational services category consists of elementary and middle school teachers, post secondary teachers, and teacher assistants.

This category is the fourth highest paying industry in Paradise; employees earn a median annual income of $33,496.

Additionally, as a rural town, Paradise has a high number of residents working in industry categories of agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting (251 people), healthcare and social assistance (2,589 people), and utility (123 people) industries which, according to the census, is high comparative to a town of this size. The highest paying industries in Paradise by annual median earnings are utilities ($67,667), real estate, rental, and leasing ($52,130), and finance and insurance ($50,679). The lowest paying industries are arts, entertainment, and recreation ($9.453), accommodation and food service ($11.538), and admin, support, and waste management services ($20,424).

Occupationally, the most common jobs of Paradise residents was administrative (11.4%; 1,145 people), management (10.3%; 1,033 people), and sales (9.6%; 960 people). From there, Paradise has an unusually high number of residents working in occupation categories of health Technicians (450 people), personal care and service (728 people), and farming, fishing, and forestry (101 people). The highest paying jobs by annual median earnings are life, physical, and social science ($79,955), fire fighting supervisors ($71,625), and legal ($63,247). The lowest paying jobs are food and serving ($13,072), arts and recreation ($14,561), and personal care and service ($15,405).

Unfortunately, due to its isolated location with limited localized economic opportunity, Paradise did have a stagnant economy. Before the fire, Paradise had an unemployment rate of 4.6% comparative to the national 3.9%. University students were not returning to Paradise after graduation leading to an aging workforce. Additionally, many residents did not work in Paradise and would instead commute everyday to Chico in order to compete in the job market.

Before the Camp Fire, Paradise, was home to a population of 26,400 people, from which 98.9% are US citizens. As of 2017, 2.39% of Paradise, CA residents were born outside of the country. The ethnic composition of the population of Paradise, CA is composed of 23.3k White Alone residents (88.3%), 1.64k Hispanic or Latino residents (6.21%), 834 Two or More Races residents (3.15%), 308 American Indian and Alaska Native Alone residents (1.17%), 269 Asian Alone residents (1.02%), 53 Black or African American Alone residents (0.2%), 0 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%), and 0 Some Other Race Alone residents (0%). Consequently, the most common foreign languages spoken in Paradise, CA are Spanish or Spanish Creole (703 speakers), German (167 speakers), and Chinese (88 speakers).

Due to the disproportionally large young and old populations in Paradise, the median age of all people in Paradise, CA was 49.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 49, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 58. Paradise was majorly a town with young families and retired couples. Consequently, the town was home to a large population of veterans with over 1,039 Vietnam, 299 Korean, and 217 Gulf War Veterans.

Looking forward, the demographics of town will change dramatically as people begin to repopulate the area. According to a survey from Urban Design Associates, only 51% of residents plan on returning to Paradise. Furthermore, only 36% say that they will return their children to school in Paradise.

Through conversation with displaced Paradise residents, many have expressed that retired residents have decided that it is not worth the wait to rebuild in Paradise and have instead moved someplace else. Many generational families will return likely to Paradise as their family has lived their families have resided there for centuries. As for the overall influx of people wanting to re-populate Paradise, the overall economic, workforce, and educational development of the town will determine the demographics of the “new� Paradise.

85 and over 4.8% 75-84 8.1%

0-4 4%

5-9 3.9%

10-14 5.4% 15-17 3.4% 18-20 2.8%

65-74 11.3%

21-24 6.4%

60-64 9.3%

25-34 9.7%

55-59 8.3%

35-44 9.4% 45-54 13.1%

Prior and Anticipatory Demographics

Ecosystem Understanding

Paradise is a town in Butte County, California located at 35.7596º N, 121.6219º W. Paradise is located to the east of Chico and north of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada foothills in a lush green environment among pine and oak forests. It is located on a ridge in the foothills that has elevations ranging from 2,000 to 2,800 feet above sea level. The topography in Paradise is rugged, resembling a plateau surrounded by canyons and becomes increasingly hilly. The topography in Paradise ranges from being extremely walkable to non-buildable with slopes ranging between 0% up to greater than 20%.

Paradise has few main roads due to the unique topography.

Soils in Paradise are well drained and of a reddish brown loam. Paradiso, originally formed from volcanic rock, is the most common soil found in the town.

of 90º / 64º. Average fall temperatures average around 70º F. September has an average high and low of 85º / 61º F, while October has an average of 74º / 53º F, and November with 60º/44º F average high and low temperatures. Average winter temperatures reach as low as 36º F. December has an average high and low temperature of 53º / 39º F, while January has averages of 54º / 39º F, and February with 57º / 41º F. The temperature averages 68º F in the spring. The average high and low in March is 61º / 43º F, while April averages 66º / 47º F, and May with averages of 76º / 53º F. The town experiences snowfall in the winter as well. Paradise averages approximately 3 inches of snowfall per year and nearly inches of rain on average per year which is greater than the average rainfall for California at 22 inches on average annually.

Pre Camp Fire land use types in Paradise ranged from commercial zoning, to residential, industrial, public service, and agricultural land use types. Uses were separated horizontally, with the primary commercial zones being along Skyway and Clark.

Paradise is a grassland chaparral and mixed conifer habitat biome. This type of biome along with the climate of Paradise allows for the town to be covered in a heavy green canopy, creating a wooded sense of place. There are many natural assets in and around Paradise. There are many water features within Butte County surrounding Paradise such as Feather River and Butte Creek which contribute to the rich diversity in vegetation and wildlife. There are also many protected areas within the county such as Plumas National Forest, Butte Sink National Wildlife Refuge, and Lassen National Forest which all contribute to the beauty and preservation of the natural assets surrounding the town.

Native vegetation in Paradise includes tall foothill ponderosa pines, california black or blue oaks, western redbud, lupine, flannelbush, buckeye, california buckwheat, common whiteleaf manzanita, california fuschia, deergrass, and coyote brush. Most of these native plants require well drained soils, are drought tolerant, and are able to withstand the hot, dry summers of Paradise.

The type of wildlife found in Paradise can range from snakes (king snakes, rattlesnakes, gopher snakes, garter snakes, and striped racer snakes), opossums, bats, squirrels, fox, racoons, mountain lions, western bluebirds, yellow warblers, bobcats, coyotes, and bears.

Paradise has a heating dominated mediterranean climate which consists of hot summers, and wet, cool winters. The predominant wind direction comes from the north east along the ridge, and under some conditions iis strong. Average summer temperatures for June, July, and August are in the 90º’s F range with June having an average high and low of 84º / 60 º, July with 92º / 66º, and August with an average high and low

SUN PATH DIAGRAM Summer Solstice Winter Solstice

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Taking advantage of the strong north east wind would require a design that incorporates opposite inlet and outlet air openings into the building. Inlet openings should be oriented perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction and outlet openings should be oriented opposite the inlet openings to provide for natural cross ventilation. Elongating the building form along the east and west direction will minimize solar heat gain and allow for cooling.

Utilizing a green roof in building design would provide for roof insulation, lower air temperatures, and provide for water retention. Implementing a green roof into building design requires anywhere between 2.5 inches to 39 inches in thickness for the proper structure and roofing material implementation depending on the intensity of the roof garden.

Unfortunately, due to its isolated location with limited localized economic opportunity, Paradise did have a stagnant economy. Before the fire, Paradise had an unemployment rate of 4.6% comparative to the national 3.9%. University students were not returning to Paradise after graduation leading to an aging workforce. Additionally, many residents did not work in Paradise and would instead commute everyday to Chico in order to compete in the job market.

Temperature (F) 120 100 80

Record high Average high

60

Average low

40

Record low 20 0

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MAR

APR

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JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

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Psychrometric chart Paradise, CA 1 JAN 1:00 - 31 DEC 24:00

Humidity Ratio [kg water/ kg air]

Due to the nature of this climate, good passive design strategies to utilize here are natural ventilation and cooling, direct solar heat gain, solar shading on the south, and minimizing north glazing. Other strategies to also consider are utilizing thermal mass, implementing the use of solar pv panels on rooftops for energy production, planting native vegetation that are low water maintenance and fire resistant, and using green roofs for rainwater collection.

When designing for daylighting consider building form, shading, and glazing area. Buildings with a narrow floor plate and elongated east and west can maximize glazing to light interior spaces while minimizing solar heat gain on the north and south faces. Incorporating high ceilings and windows will also optimize interior lighting. To design for solar shading on the south face, exterior horizontal louvers and horizontal overhangs can be used. Shading should be size as â…“ the size of the glazing on that face in order for it to work effectively.

Good landscaping strategies to implement into this mountainside community are preserving native species, landscape with fire resilient species, preserve natural drainage patterns on site, protect and preserve healthy soils, locate and manage vegetation to mitigate potential fire hazards and to prevent unnecessary grading or stripping of vegetation. Planting trees on the east and west faces of buildings cools the ground around the building as well as air temperatures, and provides for shading. With landscaping a site ,it is important to consider effective defensible space which requires proper management of vegetation around buildings. Areas within 30 feet of buildings must be planted with vegetation that cannot easily ignite and should be routinely maintained. Canopies of mature trees should not be within 10 feet of the building to avoid the risk of ignition. Choosing to landscape with plants that are low growing and have a high moisture content such as herbaceous non woody plants and succulents within 3 feet of the building will help to mitigate the risk of fire spreading due to vegetation.

WInd Rose Paradise, CA 1 JAN 1:00 - 31 DEC 24:00 Hourly data: wind speed (m/s) Calm for 0.00% of the time = 0 hours.

Each closed polyline shows frequency of 1.6% = 138 hours.

WInd Rose Paradise, CA 1 JAN 1:00 - 31 DEC 24:00 Hourly data: dry bulb temperature (C) Calm for 0.00% of the time = 0 hours.

Each closed polyline shows frequency of 1.6% = 138 hours.

Ecosystem Understanding (Continued)

Chapter The Camp Fire Defining and Implementing Recovery Wildland Urban Interface Resiliency Learning from Others

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Each city grapples with responding to threats, in California, natural threats can be tsunami, earthquake, flooding or fire and in some cases a mix of of all these. For towns in locations in High Fire Hazard Zones, they are primarily contending with the threat of wildland sourced fires. These fires can be caused by natural sources such as lightning, human caused or infrastructure based. The more accessible the natural setting, the more likely that humans play a role, intentional or not. In Paradise there were two fires in 2008 that necessitated evacuation, caused damage to property (buildings and vehicles), and played a role in influencing the natural surroundings to create the deadly conditions of the 2018 fire.

Post 2008, PGE provided maintenance along the ridge where they removed mature trees surrounding the above ground utility lines. Once these mature trees had been removed, the underbrush was able to grow exponentially and PGE did not continue with their maintenance regimen.

The Camp Fire of Butte County California was started on November 8, 2018 and was not fully contained until the 25th of November. During that time, the fire swept through the town of Paradise and the surrounding wilderness. The fire led to 85 civilian fatalities, and 12 injured. By the time of containment,153,300 acres and nearly 19,000 structures had burned, depleting the town of most of its resources including fresh water. The fire created $16.5 billion in damage, over $4 billion of which was not insured. The Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history and the deadliest fire in the United States since the Cloquet fire of 1918.

The Camp Fire

Further investigations since this time determined that undermaintained electrical transmission lines ignited fires in two locations (Pulga and Concow/Rim Road) to create the deadly fire. These initial starts, combined with “ideal� fire conditions to create the extraordinarily fast moving and hot burning fire. Winds were blowing down The Ridge at 40 - 50 mph, relative humidity was extraordinarily low (11%) and the ignition points were met with poorly maintained underbrush that acts as perfect fuel for the fire. Interestingly enough, the underbrush was thriving due to maintenance practices caused by the 2008 fires also found to be caused by PGE.

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Recovery in the wake of disaster is multifaceted challenge reliant on the ability of community members and aid organizations to cooperate toward shared goals. Many entities can be involved in both short and long term recovery, including residents/community members themselves, volunteer and civic organizations, faith-based organizations, schools, businesses, academic institutions, and governmental agencies.

Defining and Implementing Recovery

After the Camp Fire, the first steps toward recovery were taken by community members themselves, who set up an encampment in the parking lot of a Walmart in Chico, California. Later, FEMA began passing out motel room vouchers and the Red Cross and local church congregations established ten shelters. Finding access to shelter and food, along with medical care for the injured, should always be the first response after a disaster, as meeting these basic needs is the catalyst that helps those impacted regain their sense of safety and can allow them to process the trauma they have faced. The effects of disasters like the Camp Fire on mental health range based on personal experience and residents of Paradise experienced a myriad of traumas including sustaining serious injuries, enduring near-death experiences, losing loved ones, witnessing devastation among friends, family, neighbors, and the greater community, and experiencing the irreparable loss of possessions and property.

In their article on the Psychological Impact of Natural Disasters in Adults, Anka A. Vujanovic, Ph.D. and Matthew W. Gallagher, Ph.D., state that “individuals directly impacted by natural disasters may be feel a strong sense of grief, panic, loss, fear, and sadness.”In Paradise, professionals came in to help with the psychological effects of the tremendous loss, but notably community members uplifted and supported one another in their recovery. “Maintaining a connection to others in the aftermath of disaster can be healing for individuals and the community. Avoiding isolation and increasing social support is an important factor in building resilience” (Vujanovic and Gallagher).

As these basic needs of physical and psychological health were addressed, the community also began to focus on long term recovery with the Paradise Long Term Recovery Working Group. While Paradise is a community destroyed by disaster, it is also a community with a desire to rebuild. FEMA notes the need to plan for long term recovery, or “ the need to re-establish a healthy, functioning community that will sustain itself over time.” It outlines 13 importants steps to long term recovery:

Recovery in the wake of disaster is multifaceted challenge reliant on the ability of community members and aid organizations to cooperate toward shared goals. Many entities can be involved in both short and long term recovery, including residents/community members themselves, volunteer and civic organizations, faith-based organizations, schools, businesses, academic institutions, and governmental agencies.

After the Camp Fire, the first steps toward recovery were taken by community members themselves, who set up an encampment in the parking lot of a Walmart in Chico, California. Later, FEMA began passing out motel room vouchers and the Red Cross and local church congregations established ten shelters. Finding access to shelter and food, along with medical care for the injured, should always be the first response after a disaster, as meeting these basic needs is the catalyst that helps those impacted regain their sense of safety and can allow them to process the trauma they have faced. The effects of disasters like the Camp Fire on mental health range based on personal experience and residents of Paradise experienced a myriad of traumas including sustaining serious injuries, enduring near-death experiences, losing loved ones, witnessing devastation among friends, family, neighbors, and the greater community, and experiencing the irreparable loss of possessions and property.

In their article on the Psychological Impact of Natural Disasters in Adults, Anka A. Vujanovic, Ph.D. and Matthew W. Gallagher, Ph.D., state that “individuals directly impacted by natural disasters may be feel a strong sense of grief, panic, loss, fear, and sadness.”In Paradise, professionals came in to help with the psychological effects of the tremendous loss, but notably community members uplifted and supported one another in their recovery. “Maintaining a connection to others in the aftermath of disaster can be healing for individuals and the community. Avoiding isolation and increasing social support is an important factor in building resilience” (Vujanovic and Gallagher).

As these basic needs of physical and psychological health were addressed, the community also began to focus on long term recovery with the Paradise Long Term Recovery Working Group. While Paradise is a community destroyed by disaster, it is also a community with a desire to rebuild. FEMA notes the need to plan for long term recovery, or “ the need to re-establish a healthy, functioning community that will sustain itself over time.” It outlines 13 importants steps to long term recovery: Assessing the need: This assessment focuses on establishing the “long-term impact of damages sustained by a community,” looking specifically at the housing, infrastructure, environment, and economy sectors. In Paradise, the immediate needs that were identified

included site clean-up, infrastructure improvement, and finding funding to rebuild. Meeting these needs is seen as the precursor to rebuilding a new, more resilient Paradise.

At the site level was quick to identify the physical damage caused by the fire, making this information readily available to residents and those attempting to help: Cal Fire ArcGIS. Selecting a Leader: FEMA states that leadership is a critical step, noting “a good leader will serve as a beacon for community and government involvement and will convey the importance of the recovery process to local, state, and federal officials.” To help with the long term recovery a number of supporting organizations listed joined with the Town of Paradise and Urban Design Associates (UDA) to create a Long Term Recovery Plan.

Securing Outside Report: Because of the nature of disaster, recovery is not possible alone. Creating partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, as well as private and non-governmental organizations can make the recovery process more effective.

The Town of Paradise has found partnerships with several public and private agencies across the spectrum of needs that Paradise has identified. These include organizations that focus on economic development, schools and youth, utilities, arts and culture, academia, and housing. Because support from these agencies must be coordinated, frequent meetings at a range of scales have been held, and the input from all groups has been noted in order to best create a plan that meets the desires of the town. A fund has been formed titled Butte Strong focused on addressing long term recovery needs.

Further work is yet to be done to engage support beyond this source, including funds from PGE, State of California, Federal and other sources. UDA hosted many outreach meetings to engage the community, and their desires for the future Paradise have been heard. Because of the devastation of the Camp Fire.

Establishing a Public Information Capaign: The long term success of a recovery program is largely determined by the extent of community involvement.

A public information campaign helps get community members involved and focused on long-term planning for the community. This can be a challenge when the long-term circumstances of community members may be unclear.

Residents are scattered across the country, but with an anticipated 51% of residents planning to return to rebuild sharing information to involve the community is critical and allows the community to take back ownership of their town. The Town has since hired an agency to help with communication called Blue Flamingo.

Reaching a Consensus: This is the stage that Paradise is at now, where stakeholders make decisions that allow the long term recovery program to move forward. White stakeholders may be diverse and there may be tensions between different groups, these groups can be continuously re-oriented toward common goals that better the community and town as a whole.

Paradise has many steps ahead, and the recovery process likely will not end for many years. The Paradise community has strong leaders and community members that are dedicated to rebuilding, and their progress thus far in establishing a plan illustrates the willingness and excitement moving forward toward a more resilient town. Marcy Douglas, city administrator of Northwood, North Dakota, a community of 1,000 that was leveled by a category 4 tornado, believes that the recovery mindset was vital to the rebuilding of her city, explaining that “If you respond to a disaster with recovery in mind, recovery will happen,� (Douglas as quoted by Becker, 7).

Defining and Implementing Recovery (Continued)

Wildland Urban Interface

In California the number of housing units in Wildland Urban Interface, or (WUI) has gone up from 3.3 million units in 1990 to 4.4 million in 2010 (Cal Fire). WUI’s are communities surrounded by natural areas at risk of wildland fires. Roughly 50% of Butte County, CA and the entirety of the Town of Paradise are characterized by Cal Fire as being located in a very high fire hazard severity zone. However, the purpose of the Wildland Urban Interface standards is meant to inform communities on materials for buildings that can preserve life. The State Fire marshal states that protecting a building from a wildfire requires two things: Removing flammable materials from around the building, with fuel modification to 100 feet (or the property line) Zone 1(0’-30’) Tree branches Shrubs Dead plants grass and weeds Prune/remove plants and shrubs near windows Overhanging vegetation from roof/chimney Under deck vegetation Zone 2 (30’-100’) Horizontal space between shrub and trees Lawns trimmed to 4” Remove fallen branches Remove all branches below 6’ above ground from tree Fire resistant accessory structures and fencing Construct the building of fire resistive materials.

Roof coverings, Fire resistive wall and ceiling-floor assemblies, Non combustible or fire resistant decking Fire doors, Tempered glass Non combustible wall finish materials and cladding Fire dampers, enclosed under floor areas Shield gutters, fire and non-fire related hardware, electrical appliances and devices For reconstruction there is an opportunity to leverage existing on-site resources and improve fire resistivity in the newly built structures. Materials listed such as solid wood and cross laminated timber are now recognized nationally (and by code) as sustainable methods deemed to have a very appropriate performance in a fire (up to 90 minutes). Unlike steel, solid wood and CLT remains structurally stable in a fire up to 400 degrees due to creating a charred layer.

Social Resiliency A socially resilient place has a strong sense of community that is developed through community events, classes, and architecture that fosters congregation. Paradise was able to maintain this type of community through several different churches, as well as popular community events. Such a community is able to come back together in the aftermath of a disaster in order to organize and create a recovery plan.

Economic Resiliency Creating a place with economic resiliency ensures that it can recover after economic downturns and also have a financial base to aid in natural disaster recovery. Planning for and inviting diversity of business and industries enhances resiliency, and also helps create income for the town or city. Prior to the Camp Fire, the Town of Paradise was in fiscal decline, which has created hurdles for rebuilding efforts. Moving forward, Paradise is working to design a more vibrant town that provides for its residents most basic needs as well as creating diverse livelihood and employment opportunities for the residents to enjoy. Building this type of economy will provide residents with head-of-household jobs provide financial security for the individual as well.

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Each project in the studio has their own focus on resiliency, whether it be physical, social, or economic. Through the Health and Innovation Center, the focus is on economic resiliency. Healthcare provides a unique opportunity to create new jobs through research, nursing, medicine, biomedical innovation, and more.

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Of special importance to the Town of Paradise and other communities that reside in the Wildland Urban Interface is physical resiliency. This form of resiliency focuses on designing a built environment that is defensible against disaster. In Paradise, this involves designing buildings composed of fire resistive or non-combustible materials. Other considerations include the local availability and embodied energy of materials. Paradise must also redesign its communications, water, and energy infrastructure to sustain its anticipated future population.To build a strong foundation for new residents and future generations, these new or renovated water and energy infrastructures should be regenerative.

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Physical Resiliency

Resiliency

Learning from Others

New Orleans, Louisiana The Ninth Ward, which was funded by the Make It Right Foundation was an example of architecture that failed to properly address the community it’s serving. These houses failed to account for the environment of New Orleans, they didn’t fit into the surrounding neighborhood, and weren’t built in a way to help prevent major damage to them if another Hurricane were to hit. However, Musician’s Village, which was an example of a successful Post-Katrina development. This neighborhood stuck to the traditional style of architecture found in the area and kept the prices of these homes at an affordable rate so these families could move in and have property that they could accrue wealth with. While visiting Waggoner and Ball, they presented some of their projects in New Orleans and how these projects address the very prominent issue of flooding. Their projects also had a large focus on contributing to the beautification of the neighborhoods they were in, while still conforming to culture of the areas they were in.

These communities exemplified the importance of understanding the community itself, the needs of it and people who inhabit it. Without this understanding, the design of the project starts to become less about the residents, which results in a weaker project that seems out of place in the surrounding context. This understanding is fundamental to the design process and when it is analyzed meaningfully, it results in project that is both valued by the community and used by the community. It’s also important to take into consideration the risk that comes with building in a certain area and appropriately adapting the building to mitigate or prevent damage.

them a unique feeling of innovation and comfort. A lot of these projects used similar building materials found in other existing projects in the community but combined them with a more modern and contemporary take on architecture.

The importance of finding a balance between this drive as an architect to create a visually and experientially stunning project and a project which appropriately addresses the needs and feeling of the surrounding town is tough. However, finding that middle ground is essential to successful project.

Atlanta, Georgia In Atlanta, BNIM had a design charrette session that provided a lot of valuable information. While they echoed some of the lessons stated above, they also stressed the importance of having a project respond to its immediate surroundings. Either by using the building to frame certain views or move and highlight important features of the site. They also focused a lot on how the facade of building can really impact how people at the street level experience a building, because this is the only way people will experience the project. While it may look good from a bird’s eye view, if the project feel massive or domineering, it won’t feel welcoming.

The whole trip was an extremely helpful experience being able to collaborate briefly with professional architects and pick apart successful and unsuccessful projects. These projects and people had a lot of valuable lessons that are essential to being able to design a project that appropriately responds to and addresses the people and community it is meant to serve.

Urban Build, which is program run through Tulane University, allows students to fully design and build houses in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. These houses are then sold at market rate for the neighborhood which they are built in. The purpose of these projects is meant to help bring up the value of the surrounding neighborhood and to attract people into moving into them to help revitalize them culturally. Programs like this show the importance of not only designing a project that fits into the surrounding community, but one that actively contributes to the community culturally.

It has to improve the community as a whole and help make it a desirable place to live in.

Newburn, Alabama The town of Newbern and the Rural studio also provided some insight on how to properly design projects that still feel like a part of the communities they’re serving, while still remaining architecturally stimulating. All these projects achieved a balance between modernity and modesty, giving 3

Chapter Outreach and Common Themes How Might We...

Community Vision and Goals Creating a Replicable Model

4

Outreach and Common Themes

Before establishing a set of goals and objectives, it was necessary to extend beyond tertiary resources to real and interpersonal interactions. The first three weeks of studio primarily concerned itself with research of the Town of Paradise and Butte County. The data was then compiled into a series of assessments that were displayed during the different outreach sessions with Chico and former Paradise residents.

These reports included resiliency palettes, precedent studies, asset maps, and informational posters regarding Paradise’s demographics, climate, history, etc. The outreach was divided into many sessions that allowed diverse interaction with many audiences ranging from Chico State students and faculty, Paradise residents, and disaster recovery organizations. These sessions served more as forms of interactive listening meetings to gain feedback and develop a personal understanding of Paradise before proceeding with a recovery plan. In order to achieve this, different activities took place within the meetings such as interactive boards where attendees were able to mark our assessment reports, a “how might we” station where people can brainstorm and write on sticky notes, and one on one interviews where Paradise residents can share their personal experiences as “Day in the Life” descriptions.

There were many recurring topics discussed during these listening meetings. Coming from the faculty of Chico State, many addressed that Paradise was a “bedroom” community, a town many go to for retirement. Between the different audiences met with during these sessions, many agreed that Paradise needed improved fire safety and evacuation routes through an improved network of roads and communication between residents. However, many expressed Paradise’s strengths such as proximity to nature, it’s small town culture, the spirit of the people within the community, and access to healthcare. Finally, there was discussion about the future of Paradise to look to opportunities of an improved wastewater system, more businesses, a walkable downtown, a safer street network, and much more.

In the initial phase of re-imagining Paradise, gathering information and opinions beyond online resources took priority. The second week of studio - the week prior to the first trip to Paradise - concerned itself primarily with empathetic listening and preparing to better listen to the needs of Paradise residents without the hindrance of personal biases.

In small groups, shared research from the prior week about the town became the topic of discussion. The in-class activity had a variety of researched information turn into educated assumptions about both the current state of the town and possible future needs of future residents which then became a set of concise insight statements that took a more specific stance on the themes discussed. Without providing direct solutions, these insight statement acted as the building blocks to propel the class’s initial design efforts forward.

For the next few class sessions, the studio walls were engulfed in multi-colored sticky notes and desks were covered in unused post-its with remnants of past iterative ideas. General themes gathered during the first activity session - such as transportation, sense of community, lifestyle, and city planning - written on large post-its were lined up along the top of each wall with enough room below to hold a plethora of sticky notes with ideas as to how to tend to these themes.

During the final step of this activity, the insight statements and proposed ideas were rephrased as “How Might We” questions. In reframing ideas and challenges into questions, there becomes a more direct and creative way of seeking innovative solutions by breaking down problems into themes, focused issues, and commonalities.

As this project tackles on a large issue, gaining insight through interpersonal activities with displaced residents of Paradise proved to be a crucial step in the class’s overall approach to re-imagining a more resilient urban forest. The third week of the double quarter welcomed the first class trip to Paradise and Chico where we were able to speak with college faculty, practicing engineers, and displaced former Paradise residents - both adults and the youth. The “How Might We” activity followed the the class to Butte County in the form of a station where engaging in dialogue with individuals who are passionate about the future of their town. Although the previous few weeks were dedicated to in-depth research about Paradise and it’s residents pre-and-post fire, speaking directly with people who experienced the fire and are still dealing with the loss, proved to contribute to and further develop the objective assessments that were initially brought along on the trip.

The iterative processes that came with the in-class activity instilled confidence in the research and insight developed through research and class discussions that concerned themselves with sustainability, flexibility of spaces, an urban core, and walkability - amongst a multitude of other topics.

While different groups in class focused their attention on varying topics, common themes found in each group’s brainstorming sessions made it evident that certain topics such as architectural resiliency, designing with understanding, re-urbanization, and walkability were main areas of concern that would be tactfully addressed through project designs.

In the case of pedestrian movement through the town, research shed light on the effects Paradise’s rural sprawl had on its residents. This previous research instilled unwavering confidence in the statement: make Paradise more walkable (through articulating more pedestrian friendly roads).

However, with a lack of realization regarding how pedestrians could experience walking through the town with the sprawl on its existing topography, learning about the experiential quality of being a pedestrian in Paradise through former adult and high school residents shed light on how to re-approach this design question.

The initial research phase posed the question: “How might we make Paradise more walkable?” With the knowledge generated through community outreach sessions conducted in Chico and Paradise, it became evident that walkability and the implementation of arbitrary pedestrian walkways are not exactly synonymous. Instead, walkability was articulated as an issue that could be addressed and mediated through re-evaluating, re-organizing, and re-establishing a more dense mixed-use downtown. Comments form adults and high school students alike articulated that distance between points of interest in the town made walking to-and-from work or school to a cafe difficult due to the the distance and slopes between the locations exceeding the range of pedestrian comfortability.

While posing these “how might we” questions did not yield direct design solutions, they greatly contributed to the development of designs and ideas. These insightful conversations shared between the class and the community of Paradise allowed each student to step back from the objectivity of online research and facilitate their design conversations by integrating both objective assessments and gained personal insight to further develop projects with the well being of Paradise and its residents in mind.

How Might We...

Community Vision and Goals

Through in-class efforts, community outreach sessions, and learning from industry professionals helping rebuild Paradise, articulating the generated goals and visions of the community became a medium to further overall class design efforts.

Fueled by personal and online research, the class as a whole developed a series of goals to augment the basic assumptions of the project: To design a town that: Is economically, socially and physically resilient.

Attracts new residents to Paradise Attracts students to return to the area after attending College in other areas Allows citizens to age in place.

Is resource regenerative (water, energy, wastewater) Along with generating insight from personal interactions with the Paradise community members, students were able to reference the corresponding work of Urban Design Associates (UDA) - the architectural firm is leading the redesigning efforts for the town. In UDA’s “Community Recovery Plan” (April 19, 2019), the authors of the published document discuss their agenda - elaborating on what they heard through their own community outreach activities and how that translates into their long-term community recovery plan. Despite not working directly with UDA, being able to both speak with and listen to Paradise residents for design insight allowed both the class goals and those of the firm to have some levels of synonimity.

In their document, UDA noted the population of attendees of community outreach meetings held in the county. As stated in their long-term community recovery plan, from over 1000 people who attended these community meetings, 78% them were Paradise residents. With such high percentage of the population in attendance having a direct association with the town, it became evident that engaging with and listening to the community would be crucial in understanding how to best design for a new resilient Paradise that would respect traditions while anticipating change to allow for a thriving future community.

In this same report, UDA identified that when asked, 51% of Paradise residents they surveyed said they would return to the town after it’s rebuilt while 34% were adamant about not returning - leaving 15% still undecided at the time. This portion of their report sheds light on a primary concern that fueled a lot of the goals established in class. Although a lot of time in class was spent learning about the cultural assets that made Paradise a town treasured by its community, acknowledging the significant percentage of people that would not return to Paradise informs te need to assess why and find design solutions to make Paradise more attractive to future residents.

During the first community outreach session at Chico State University, hearing from the school faculty and local engineers informed the class that Paradise is considered a “bedroom

community” - a community which serves as a place to sleep as oppose to providing a thriving job economy which individuals have to seek elsewhere. In treating this as a priority, the group projects in this studio collaborate in that they are located in the proposed downtown. With the implementation of a diversity of building typologies and programs within this mixed-use urban center, there is then a simultaneous proposal for a multitude of retail and varying employment opportunities that contribute to an economically thriving community.

In terms of promoting physical resiliency, UDA proposes to make Paradise Greener by investing in sustainable design.

While that is the premise of this studio’s concern regarding physical quality of the buildings, these group projects address the challenges Paradise faces from their lack of regenerative resources. Among the 9 projects designed in class, there are proposals for a diversity of rainwater catchment systems with beneficial uses for recycled water, anaerobic digester to turn waste into energy, and opportunities for people to learn about and experience through both education and use of fire-resilient building materials.

As seen through the California Climate Adaptation Strategy from 2009, climate change will continue to affect Northern California with lower precipitation levels and a dryer future, resulting in a greater risk for wildfires. By 2050, average temperatures will rise an additional 1.8-5.4 °F with inland areas, like Paradise, warmer than coastal regions. Climate change will be affecting the future of California for years to come, and with $2.5 trillion in real estate assets at risk due to extreme weather conditions, (including wildfires) the consequences are dire. Last November, Paradise was the victim of these extreme weather conditions and it’s only a matter of time until another town, like Colfax, Nevada City, or Kings Beach, become the next. These towns are small, like Paradise, and possess similar rugged terrains with tall trees and thick brush, in addition to little defensible space or green buffers between the towns’ and nature. These characteristics, combined with windy weather, could create a deadly combination for wildfires to strike. In order to prevent or reduce current risks for wildfires in Northern California, a replicable model should be created. A replicable model is a model that can be recreated or produced again, based on positive or successful results, and in regards to Paradise, should set the standard with how towns in California should respond to wildfires.

These standards will include a detailed short term and long term recovery plan, as well as procedures for how local and state partnerships can aid in the rebuilding process. To be successful, this model should focus on recovery planning and affordable housing, physical, economic and social resiliency, as well as an integration of architecture within the local community context.

In terms of recovery planning and affordable housing, many lessons were learned while looking at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Housing projects like the Ninth Ward failed by not addressing residents needs’ as well as creating a close community. On the other hand, projects like Musicians Village were focused on shared community spaces, units constructed specifically for the acoustical needs of musicians, as well amenities for practice spaces. These affordable houses also were close in proximity which created a density that influenced a tighter sense of community for nearby residents. Relating back to Paradise, although not all residents will be able to afford rebuilding or moving back after the fire, affordable housing projects focused on the specific needs of residents in mind will encourage people to move to Paradise and in turn, create a sense of community.

In addition, physical, economic and social resiliency are key in creating a replicable model for towns like Paradise to overcome tragedies such as wildfires. In terms of physical resiliency, new construction projects should use fire resilient materials, such as fiber cement or terra-cotta, and city officials should identify structures that are currently at risk. When Paradise burned, the fire spread more rapidly from roof to

roof than it did from vegetation or trees, demonstrating why fire resilient materials were needed. With social resiliency, essentially a community that trusts each other and can provide support in times of crisis are more likely to recover.

By finding ways to integrate current and new residents that have dealt with similar tragedies, community relationships will strengthen and result in trust.

Lastly, creating a replicable model for towns recovering from wildfires involves contextual integration of site, place, and community identity. Observing the Rural Studio in Hale County, Alabama, it was evident that the students considered themselves residents of the town and the reason their projects integrated so well with the natural surroundings, from materiality to space use, was because the structures were designed for the specific needs of clients and used local and recycled materials. The Rural Studio gave a modern spin to southern architecture while respecting the local aesthetic, which enabled the countess structures they’ve built over the years to seamlessly fit within the town and rural fabric of Hale County.

After the fire of Paradise it’s clear that a replicable model, composed of recovery planning and affordable housing, resiliency, and contextual site integration, is needed for towns like Paradise to thrive after a similar tragedy. This replicable model should be rooted in preserving a community identity while using modern technology and innovation to encourage sustainable practices that will better a given town or city.

By creating a model like this, towns at risk may be able to prevent or diminish damages from wildfires and will stay protected for years to come.

While different groups in class focused their attention on varying topics, common themes found in each group’s brainstorming sessions made it evident that certain topics such as architectural resiliency, designing with understanding, re-urbanization, and walkability were main areas of concern that would be tactfully addressed through project designs.

In the case of pedestrian movement through the town, research shed light on the effects Paradise’s rural sprawl had on its residents. This previous research instilled unwavering confidence in the statement: make Paradise more walkable (through articulating more pedestrian friendly roads).

However, with a lack of realization regarding how pedestrians could experience walking through the town with the sprawl on its existing topography, learning about the experiential quality of being a pedestrian in Paradise through former adult and high school residents shed light on how to re-approach this design question.

The initial research phase posed the question: “How might we make Paradise more walkable?” With the knowledge generated through community outreach sessions conducted in Chico and Paradise, it became evident that walkability

and the implementation of arbitrary pedestrian walkways are not exactly synonymous. Instead, walkability was articulated as an issue that could be addressed and mediated through re-evaluating, re-organizing, and re-establishing a more dense mixed-use downtown. Comments form adults and high school students alike articulated that distance between points of interest in the town made walking to-and-from work or school to a cafe difficult due to the the distance and slopes between the locations exceeding the range of pedestrian comfortability.

While posing these “how might we� questions did not yield direct design solutions, they greatly contributed to the development of designs and ideas. These insightful conversations shared between the class and the community of Paradise allowed each student to step back from the objectivity of online research and facilitate their design conversations by integrating both objective assessments and gained personal insight to further develop projects with the well being of Paradise and its residents in mind.

Creating a Replicable Model

Chapter General Plan Update The West Village

5

General Plan Update

The New Proposed Paradise Plan aims to create a more easily navigable, fire responsive, and self-sustaining future for Paradise. The density of the town has been spread out radially from the central downtown villages (East Village and West Village), which are generally zoned as commercial mixed use. Immediately adjacent to these villages are residential zones of medium density and then lower density the farther they sit from the downtown villages. The two main N-S roads are Skyway Rd Clarke Rd, and Pentz Rd, which have been maintained as the main town entrances and exits. The main existing E-W roads, Wagstaff Rd and Billie Rd, have been maintained as the major E-W roads with the addition of Elliot Rd which has been extended to meet and continue past Pentz Rd. The new town includes infrastructure placement that will promote a self-sustaining town. This means including facilities that make use of Paradise’s natural resources to create more locally sourced water, energy, and building materials. A CLT (cross laminated timber) plant is included in the plan as well as a utility zone near the West Village which houses a water treatment facility for rainwater recycling, and an anaerobic digester for energy production.

Specific proposed projects are located in the West Village, East Village, Skyway Rd, and neighborhood centers near the West Village. Within these projects exist a total of 4 cultural centers, over 408,000 square feet of added community space, nearly 400 housing units, over 450,000 square feet of commercial space and a projected 750+ jobs created.

Community Land-Use: The new town plan is organized into the following zones: Residential (of varying density), Commercial, Institutional, and Green Space. Much of the plan is labeled as medium density housing to accommodate the 15,000 dwelling units needed to house an expected population of approximately 30,000. Two commercial downtown villages (West Village and East Village) have been proposed to sit along Pearson Rd, a secondary road running between Skyway and Clarke, two of the major thru N-S roads. These Villages would consist mostly of mixeduse zoning and become the retail hubs for the town, providing places for shopping and entertainment as well as living and working.

This zoning also responds to the topography and location of dry brush. While the entirety of Paradise sits on a generally consistent 3% slope, the town is bordered with steeper, undevelopable topography. The steeper topography has been zoned as green space, with low density housing as the next closest zone, to allow for ease of evacuation.

Infrastructure (Roads, Water and Wastewater, Rainwater, Solid Waste, Energy):

Paradise, CA before Camp Fire was essentially comprised of two main roads and a series of winding cul de sacs that navigated through the private residences. The new plan categorizes all roads as main, secondary and bike roads. To improve navigability, all cul de sacs have been reoriented into secondary roads (red) that run perpendicular to main roads (blue). These roads are organized to support multi-modal transportation including bus, bike and vehicular travel. Bike lanes run parallel to all main roads as well as some secondary roads running E-W near the proposed downtown villages.

Three different types of roads are proposed for the new downtown: Main Street (located on Almond St), vehicularaccessible streets, and pedestrian-only streets. Main street and vehicular-accessible streets will include a bike lane each way as well as a vehicular lane each way. Main street will include the same, with the addition of a center left-turn lane. Many of the blocks in the existing downtown area are currently split by E-W running mid-block alleys accessible to vehicles.

The current downtown plan employs one of these on each of the nine blocks and has reclaimed them as pedestrianonly mid-block alleys to further promote the walkability of the downtown.

The proposed downtown was modeled to be self-sustaining and renewable in its energy and water consumption and production. Two blocks below the Southwestern corner of the West Village lies the proposed Utility Zone, which houses a proposed water treatment facility and anaerobic digester. The water treatment facility will take advantage of the abundance of rainfall in Paradise to collect rainwater and convert it to usable water for the entire town to use.

The anaerobic digester will be used to create energy by processing waste that is delivered to the facility by truck, hence the close proximity to the town center.

Transit: The new plan proposes to expand the bus transit in Paradise with more routes and increased service. Aside from the expansion of existing routes, a new downtown-specific route will be added and will include multiple stops on Skyway adjacent to the West border of the West Village. No stops are planned to exist within either of the villages, including the transit center. This is intended to maximize the accessibility of the downtown to Paradise residents without congesting the inside of the downtown.

Trails: The Paradise Memorial Trail is the main existing trailhead that follows a historical railroad. In 2018, the Paradise Memorial trail was renamed to Yellowstone Kelly Heritage Trail to honor Luther Sage “Yellowstone” Kelly, a historic American hero that settled permanently in Paradise after the Philippine–American War. This trail becomes an important aspect to the Downtown

Plan as it promotes walkability and bikeability for the residents.

With the trail, two proposed projects, Paradise Recreation Center and the Commons (Center for Safety and Well-Being), utilizes the trail as an important aspect to their design and program. In these projects, the Yellowstone Kelly Heritage Trail becomes an integration to the Recreation Center’s green roof, while the Commons activates the trail with their programs.

Parks and Greenways: Many people are attracted to visit and move to Paradise due the close proximity of accessible nature . Within the Downtown plan, the existing Paradise Community Park becomes an important as the Memorial Trail runs through the park and allow community events and gatherings.

Walkability: From the Downtown plan, each block consists of one horizontal alley that becomes a pedestrian-only lane through the dense multi-use zoning. Within each pedestrian-only street, the zoning allows community and commercial mix-use buildings to be in each block and allow pedestrians to walk in a safer commute.

General Plan Update (Continued)

The West Village

Layout: One of the main goals with the West Village was to create a layout that would encourage walkability and allow for people of Paradise to be able to get to places in an affective manner by grouping the commercial mixed use by the downtown area and community parcels around it. It is ultimately designed to bring new main street [Almond Street] to Paradise. It will include retail, commercial office, and housing to increase walkability and vibrancy The West Village begins from Skyway Road to Black Olive Drive, and from First Street to Pearson Road. The lots above First Street is envisioned to become a medical campus.

Community buildings and commercial mixed use buildings will weave through the entire West Village, with the existing Paradise Park as a green puffer to the residential area.

Streetscape and Connections: Heavy consideration of promoting walkable environment with an emphasis of public transportation is included in the design of West Village. One of the goals of the downtown plan is to reduce the dependence of cars. In the street design, bike lanes and bus lanes area included in all streets, with widened sidewalk to encourage pedestrian getting around the town without bringing in vehicles.

Since previously there were only 2 main roads, Skyway Road and Clark Road, the West Village is now designed to be able to navigate through vertically with Almond Street, Black Olive Drive and Foster Road and horizontally with Birch Street, Pearson Road, Cedar Street and Fir Street. Since these streets are within the part of town that would be most dense human traffic, pedestrian walkways are also designed across West Village between the roads that run horizontally to promote walking around the town. Skyway will be widened to increase safety, public transit and safe bicycle circulation along this important thoroughfare. The newly built neighborhood will foster social, economic, and physical resiliency for the next generation of Paradise.

Architectural Character and Massing: Within West Village, most commercial mixed use will vary between 2 to 3 stories while parcels with community associated buildings would be around 3 stories tall. The materials used within the town would most likely be GFRC to create a town that fits the personality of Paradise with a material that isn’t too flashy in color, style, and in price. GFRC has a huge variety in colors so if certain businesses want to create a building to their style they are still able to but one important factor is that this building would encourage physical resilience since it is also fire resistant.

Built to Thrive (Responding to climatic conditions, economic conditions, and resiliency):

Acknowledging that Paradise is a smaller town, a more dense and suburban type of downtown would benefit the town to build and encourage economic growth as well as community growth; creating a downtown to allow for the town to gather and support businesses.

In order to fulfill the requirement of architecture 2030, most of the community buildings implemented daylighting and natural ventilation strategies to minimize energy use throughout the building. With high precipitation level throughout the concept plan of Paradise, an anaerobic digester is envisioned to be in the outskirt area of downtown as an energy supplier.

To revive and learn from the campfire, it is necessary for the town of Paradise to build resilience socially, economically, and physically.

According to the downtown zoning concept plan, most buildings are mixed use with the emphasis of providing gathering spaces for the Paradise community, and therefore are expected to increase job opportunities, as well as to increase the town’s capability to generate enough revenue.

The town of Paradise is anticipated to attract various demographic groups with its economic and social potential.

The medical village is placed in the north of downtown area with the intention to boost the emergency services of the town. The process of redesigning Paradise is to face the scar brought by the nature and to figure out the fatal flaw that caused such disaster and to prevent the catastrophe happening again.

In terms of resiliency, social, physical and emotional were the 3 aspects focused in hopes to better serve the future community of Paradise in a way that could help as a stepping stool to thrive. Understanding that the economic pace of the town prior to the fire, creating new opportunities for businesses to be successful and for residents to be involved would help with the overall economic status of the town.

While preserving and acknowledging the nature and prior vegetation is a goal kept in mind while moving forward with the redesign process, being mindful of specific species that are fire resistant is also the other path we are focussing on to allow for physical resiliency. In regards to emotional resiliency, it is understandable that the campfire incident has caused a lot of trauma making it hard for some residence to feel safe or comfortable going back. The hope is that the redesigning process could give them the opportunity to work alongside the design process to be involved and to create a town that could heal some of the scars of fear that prevents them to return back to Paradise.

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Chapter The Built Environment Project Connections The Project

6

Initial brainstorming of potentially catalytic projects to be invested in early phases of the rebuilding process were as follows.

Further iterations based on peer community comparisons and from community members themselves further reduced the list in a more focused manner for further study.

Animal Shelter Aquarium Bicycle Recreation Community College Campus (Nursing, Medical, Technical Education (IT), Vocational, etc.)

Camp Fire Memorial Community Center Elementary School Exploratorium Emergency Response High School Homeless Shelter Hotel Indoor Farmer’s Market Mental Health Recovery Center Middle School Museum Nature Discovery Center Performing Arts Center Planetarium Recreation Center Retail Maker Space Bath House Library Public Safety Fire Station Police Station Hotel Courthouse Golf Center Performing Arts Center Mailing Center Preschool Entrepeneurship Center Skatepark YMCA Teen Center Food Bank Senior Center Hospital

Community College Fire Training Center Community College Vocational Training Center Community Center Courthouse Emergency Response and Fire Logistics Entrepreneurship Center Exploratorium High School Library Medical Service Center Nature Center Public Safety (Fire and Police) Recreation Center Retail / Restaurant Wellness Center

Brainstormed List of Projects

project purpose This project will serve as a biomedical research facility that also includes opportunities for higher education within the field. The hope is that this project will provide a space for innovation in the health industry and educational outreach programs. The laboratory portion of the project will be dedicated to understanding the health effects of fire. The building will attract younger generations while also giving opportunities for residents to participate and learn about smallerscale biomedical research.

Because of the health and education combination, it will bring in more health professionals which may also spur economic growth within the medical community in Paradise.

who is this project for?

Because the project has an education portion and a research portion, it will serve a large variety of people. One main group of people will be students. Our project is cited adjacent to the Butte Community College extension campus so there will be students from that campus taking classes and aiding in research. There will also be various medical professionals who will teach and conduct research in our laboratories. The general public will also utilize our project because of the pharmacy and “grab and go� cafe.

They will also be able to come to the project for lectures on health safety after Camp Fire.

medical campus Greenville

timber protection PG&E Twain Power House

resource conservation

Butte Meadows

timber mountains agriculture residential

PG&E Belden Power House

Belden Vina

Bucks Lake

Richardson Springs

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Dogtown Nugget Discovery Site

Garmo Park

Magalia

Chico Hamilton City

Paradise

Butte County Superior Court

Chico Creek Nature Center

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park

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Butte Creek Ecological Preserve

Butte County Behavioral Sevices Butte County Public Health Department

Paradise Park

Butte County Air Quality Management

La Porte Bidwell Park

Bidwell Park

General Shermal Historical Landmark

Durham

Lake Oroville

Butte Creek Ecological Preserve

The Grey Lodge Wildlife Area Bidwell River State Park

Butte County Sheriff Butte County Jail

Bidwell Bar Bridge and Tollhouse Butte County Juvenile Hall Butte County OfďŹ ce of Education

Butte County Superior Court

Oroville Wildlife Area Oroville Municipal Airport

Historic Chinese Cemetary

Oroville

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Gridley Gridley Wildlife Area

Camptonville Tahoe National Forest

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Through research of the hospital in Paradise prior to the fire, we discovered that healthcare was a main reason why people would come to visit Paradise. A medical campus would encourage economic growth through opportunities in the field of medicine.

Because of Paradise’s reputation as a senior community as well as it’s proximity to Chico State, we predict it would thrive economically (and bring in a new social group) through the building of a medical campus. The campus is composed of patient care facilities (hospitals and clinics), research facilities, and education. Hopefully, the projects could be built in phases, culminating in a grander hospital.

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Burn Lab

Cadaver Lab

Psychiatric Evaluation

The project in it’s most basic form is comprised of one bar of laboratories and one bar of classrooms. The HVAC needs of each programatic bar helped to dictate locations of classrooms vs. laboratories, as well as the light needed in each kind of space. The classroom “bar” is furthest from the downtown, to encourage those coming to learn from downtown to cross through the entirety of the building and the lobby spaces. The laboratories on the bar furthest from the medical campus forces medical professsionals to cross through the entrance on the second floor, and into the courtyard.

Cancer Lab

Smoke Inhalation Lab

Pulmonary Lab

Demo Lab

VR Labs

General Research

circulation large lecture grab-n-go faculty office classrooms mechanical

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patient care facility

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floor 1 sq ft The first floor of the project includes two laboratories; a demo lab and a general lab. It also includes a lobby space, a pharmacy, a grab and go cafe, two virtual reality laboratories, and a flexible space. The flexible space is meant to be used paticularly in the event of an emergency as a small clinic/ shelter.

floor 2 sq ft The second floor of the project includes two more laboratories; a pulmonary lab and a cancer lab. It also includes a psychiatric evaluation space. Three classrooms, one large lecture space, and faculty offices make up the north side. In addition, on this floor there are multiple intersticial spaces and write up spaces.

floor 3 sq ft The third floor has a burn laboratory and a cadaver laboratory. It also includes a large outdoor seating area, intersticial space, five classrooms, and more faculty offices. The intersticial space on this floor is similar in size and scale to that of floor 2.

floor 4 sq ft The fourth floor is primarily classroom based. It includes 5 classrooms, write up spaces, and more faculty offices. In addition, there is a large outdoor patio that overlooks the street and has an overhang. This space allows for studying because of the large overhang.

In section, it is easy to understand the HVAC systems and how they work together to create two different bars of program. Because of those systems, the floor to floor heights vary on each side and even the finishes. In addition, the activation of the courtyard becomes evident.

intersticial space these spaces are “write up spaces� to inspire collaboration and working together.

laboratories these spaces are laboratories dedicated to different health effects that people may experience after the Camp Fire.

courtyard This courtyard is meant to encourage collaboration between the two bars of program. It will be activated by the grab and go cafe, pharmacy, and seating.

material study terra cotta baguettes The project program pertains to medical advancements and the human body, and because everything is composed of cells, we chose to utilize a skin system that could replicate not the cells from our body but the cells of wood. Because wood has such a large part in Paradise and CLT is extremely important to our entire studio, it seemed fitting.

1 TYP ROOF Waterproof membrane Rigid Insulation Vapor Barrier 3 Layer CLT panel CLT structure

2 SOLAR PANELS Electrical solar panels 60 cells

3 Terra Cotta Screen Terra cotta baguette Steel tube structure Steel SunShade fasteners 2 layer Low E glazing T shaped steel mullions

HVAC and electrical GWB on metal stud

4 TYP. RAISED FLOOR Wood finish Concrete topping slab w/ Radiant floor heating 5 Layer CLT panel Air Gap for raised floor natural ventilation 5 Layer CLT panel with integrated electrical Suspended lighting fixtures CLT structure

5 TYP. INTERIOR WALL 3 Layer CLT panels

6 TYP. EXTERIOR WALL UHP Cladding Air Gap Rock wool insulated with cladding girt system Water resistant barrier Vapor retarder Plywood sheathing 3 Layer CLT panel Suspended metal ceiling with recessed pendant lights

7 Ground floor Concrete topping slab (with radiant floor heating) Slab on grade Concrete pavers

8 GREEN ROOF Vegetation Substrate Seperation fabric Drainage layer Root barrier Waterproof membrane Rigid Insulation Water resistant barrier Plywood sheathing 5 Layer CLT panel CLT structure HVAC and electrical GWB on metal stud with suspended lighting

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9 PUNCHED OPENING Corian fin shading T-shape mullion 2 Layer low-e glazing

10 EXPOSED FLOOR Concrete topping slab (with radiant floor heating) Rigid insulation Vapor barrier Plywood sheathing 5 Layer CLT Deck CLT structure 30� beam for overhang Electrical Suspended metal ceiling with recessed pendant lights

11 OCC. ROOF Concrete topping slab Rigid insulation Waterproof membrane Vapor Barrier Plywood sheathing 5 Layer CLT panel CLT structure HVAC and electrical GWB on metal stud with suspended lighting

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Level 3 32' - 0"

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material study GFRC fluted panels Similarly to the terra cotta baguettes, we interpreted the CLT in the project as very cellular elements and therefore wanted to pull that through onto the exterior of the building. In order to create a similar look, we chose to use GFRC fluted panels.

1 TYP ROOF Waterproof membrane Rigid Insulation Vapor Barrier 3 Layer CLT panel CLT structure

2 SOLAR PANELS Electrical solar panels 60 cells

3 Terra Cotta Screen Terra cotta baguette Steel tube structure Steel SunShade fasteners 2 layer Low E glazing T shaped steel mullions

HVAC and electrical GWB on metal stud

4 TYP. RAISED FLOOR Wood finish Concrete topping slab w/ Radiant floor heating 5 Layer CLT panel Air Gap for raised floor natural ventilation 5 Layer CLT panel with integrated electrical Suspended lighting fixtures CLT structure

5 TYP. INTERIOR WALL 3 Layer CLT panels

6 TYP. EXTERIOR WALL UHP Cladding Air Gap Rock wool insulated with cladding girt system Water resistant barrier Vapor retarder Plywood sheathing 3 Layer CLT panel Suspended metal ceiling with recessed pendant lights

7 Ground floor Concrete topping slab (with radiant floor heating) Slab on grade Concrete pavers

8 GREEN ROOF Vegetation Substrate Seperation fabric Drainage layer Root barrier Waterproof membrane Rigid Insulation Water resistant barrier Plywood sheathing 5 Layer CLT panel CLT structure HVAC and electrical GWB on metal stud with suspended lighting

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9 PUNCHED OPENING Corian fin shading T-shape mullion 2 Layer low-e glazing

10 EXPOSED FLOOR Concrete topping slab (with radiant floor heating) Rigid insulation Vapor barrier Plywood sheathing 5 Layer CLT Deck CLT structure 30� beam for overhang Electrical Suspended metal ceiling with recessed pendant lights

11 OCC. ROOF Concrete topping slab Rigid insulation Waterproof membrane Vapor Barrier Plywood sheathing 5 Layer CLT panel CLT structure HVAC and electrical GWB on metal stud with suspended lighting

EUI climate data

Space Heating Pumps & Fans Space Cooling

Lighting

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Hot Water

Other Loads

BUILDING ENERGY USAGE

RENEWABLES & ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

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EUI The project integratesn and utilizes environemntal design practices through out. Building placement and orientation, strategic glazing with shading, material and envelope choice, and the implementation of solar panels, all help to create an efficient space. The projects EUI was reduced from the ASHRAE 90.1 standard of 63.8 to 16 (kBtu/sq ft/ yr). This will not only help to offset the day to day costs of the building, but will also help with long term resiliency as well, since the project will be mostly self sustaining. When needed it will rely on the energy produced from theSpace anaerobic digester in the proposed local food Heating Pumps & Fans Space market, to offset energy needs.

Lighting

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Hot Water

Cooling

Other Loads

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16 kBTU / sq ft / yr

The project integratesn and u environemntal design practic through out. Building placem and orientation, strategic gla with shading, material and envelope choice, and the im mentation of solar panels, all to create an efficient space. projects EUI was reduced fro ASHRAE 90.1 standard of 63.8 (kBtu/sq ft/ yr). This will not o help to offset the day to day of the building, but will also h with long term resiliency as w since the project will be most sustaining. When needed it w

model photographs

Chapter Where do We Go from Here?

Strategic Investments Incentivizing Rebuilding Right Next Steps

7

Where do We go from Here?

If it’s not Paradise, it’s New Orleans. If it’s not New Orleans, it’s the Gulf of Texas. If it’s not the Gulf of Texas, it’s anywhere else in the world. There is no way to mitigate the amount of damage and destruction the people of Paradise have been through, but there are countless examples when humans have tried to fight against nature, but nature always wins. Through research, experimentation, and trips to Paradise and similarly affected cities, this studio has attempted to understand how to work with, instead of against nature, in order to build socially, physically, and economically resilient cities that can withstand natural disasters. In order to do this, it’s inherent that future projects be strategic in how they are built, where they are built, and what they are built with. Moving forward, the hope is that this project can serve as a map for the future design of towns.

Park Space and Community Gardens: As an interim use, once remediated, vacant lots should be considered as part of the larger open space network of the community.

The Town may consider identifying strategic parcels as neighborhood serving pocket parks or community gardens.

Thoughtful maintenance of these properties will turn potential “missing teeth” into assets.

Land Bank: It may be necessary for Paradise to landbank vacant properties. By acquiring strategic properties, the Town may be better able to control development and take on appropriate maintenance. In this way, the community can better control the rate and type of development in different parts of the town, expedite development of certain types in certain areas of the town, and partner with academic institutions or other non profits on development.

Paradise will receive research about similarly affected cities, custom weather data, downloads of town plans, street sections, building plans, building sections, elevations, physical models, revit models, and comprehensive projects that can serve the town as a whole. The hope is that the town can utilize this work to begin to rebuild in a constructive way.

Focusing on Long Term Economic Viability: Social, economic, and physical resiliency is key to the reimagination of Paradise. Following a way to spur social resiliency, it is also important create economic resiliency. As part of the proposed future plan for Paradise, a medical campus is included. The hope is that it will provide countless job opportunities, basic access to healthcare, and education opportunities. The medical campus would create a flourishing and strong economy in Paradise, California. Lebanon, Oregon developed a similar community, based around health care. Following Lebanon’s example, Paradise can incorporate economic resiliency to strengthen the town as a whole.

Because this is a systemic issue, the work can be utilized in many other contexts. If it’s not Paradise, it’s New Orleans.

There will be other fires and there will be other disasters. The projects and work and be transferred into other settings and will give those who have been affected a sense of hope in dark times.

Implementation Begins: Given the varied sources of funding for the rebuilding, there is a likelihood that there were will be undeveloped parcels in previously complete neighborhoods. Care should be taken to ensure that density goals are achieved and not undermined as a part of the development process. As rebuilding occurs, there will likely be vacant properties interspersed amongst the others. A plan should be developed, through consultation with property owners to maintain these properties over the course of their evolution. Some strategies to be considered to manage this potential issue: Focus on the Core: Where possible, redevelopment efforts should be focused on the proposed downtown core and built concentrically outward. While individual property owners may want to rebuild on their existing property or may even desire to locate further from downtown, a general fund should be established to fiscally incentivize concentrated near the town core and gradually moved outward. Kickstart funds for this fund could include CALReUSE and Proposition 1 (amongst others). Concentrated growth will help create a complete appearance in downtown and then build out from there. By focusing on the center and working outward, Paradise can rebound more quickly and be served more affordably by utilities and services.

Prior to the fire, the town of Paradise lacked a developed wastewater treatment system and complete road network.

In order to properly rebuild Paradise with a viable, walkable downtown, the implementation of well built infrastructure must come first.

In order to rebuild a town after such a devastating event, a sense of community needs to be re-established. The tight knit community in Paradise has is inspiring and essential to it’s identity and success as a town. Members of Paradise engage in festivals together and celebrate the history of the town, regardless of background or differing personal perspectives.

Working with Rohn Grotenhuis and Gretchen Holy from BNIM, they suggested that the first building type to invest in would be of the civic nature, like a school. A school allows a place for community meetings, it will incentivize people to return to Paradise, and can be easily converted to serve whatever programmatic need must be met. This necessary investment will spur social resiliency first and foremost.

After these two crucial investments, similar projects should then begin to be built around a centralized downtown. The downtown will include mixed-use housing, retail, public serving, and commercial mixed use project, to create a diverse urban center. It will have a strictly pedestrian path to encourage walking as the primary mode of travel instead of vehicles, and will be easy to navigate. Through strategic investment, the centralized downtown will support a flourishing community.

Strategic Investments

A challenge of this project has been the inherent need and want from Paradise residents who, “just want to go home.”

In a project of this nature it is of the utmost importance to attempt to understand the pain they’re going through.

Architects are meant to serve the community, and to do this, empathy is key. So while the temptation to return and rebuild quickly in Paradise is understandable, this project wishes to display how re-building right will lead to long term success for the town.

Since 1999, there have been 13 large wildfires within the footprint of the Camp Fire’s footprint. A long history of wildfires necessitates the need for design that acknowledges that natural environment, not one that ignores it only to suffer the consequences later. Specifically, there is a need for better infrastructure to be put in place, before any rebuilding can happen. Also choosing to build out of sustainable materials, that don’t fight with the fire (like cross-laminated timber), will create physically resilient buildings.

In addition, prior to the fire, Paradise did not have a centralized downtown or walkability. The fire provides a unique opportunity to improve the lives of those who live there, and encourage a new generation to be involved in that community.

Incentivizing Rebuilding Right

While this studio’s primary focus was on the architectural and urban planning needs of Paradise, other steps must be taken before new buildings or a centralized downtown can be developed.

As mentioned above, investment in infrastructure is critical to the future success of Paradise. A new wastewater system, road network, and energy production will create a stable foundation for the town to rebuild upon. Providing water catchment systems for future builds, provides an alternative water source to back up the main water supply, and creates more sustainable and self sufficient projects. Backing this framework will ensure that Paradise can grow as self sustaining town, that is resilient in the face of disaster and tragedy.

Following this, and as Paradise looks to rebuild, a series of surveys must first take place. This surveying, can be done by students from Cal Poly, Chico State, Sacramento State, etc. Not only will students learn from hands on experience, but the survey will be of no cost to Paradise residents. Paired with surveying, brownfield sites should be identified, in order to receive state investment from the Cal Reuse funds. These funds will help to push forward the re-building of the town and construction of civic projects.

Investment in key building typologies, like the high school and medical campus, and a centralized downtown, will serve as catalysts for change, and will spur regrowth in the town of Paradise. For the medical campus specifically, bringing together key organizations like Butte Community College, WesternU Health Science, and Adventist Health Care, will help start the conversation about establishing such a campus.

Alongside this, the development of sustainable and affordable housing, will allow former residents to return home, and attract new members to move to Paradise. To help with rebuilding and designing, a staffed (likely by students) local office that provides free / low cost design services can be set up. It should follow the successful examples of URBANBuild at Tulane University, and Rural Studio, from Auburn University. The design office could also offer free on site building workshops for DIY builders.

More research into and the execution of a fire resilient building palette, that provides material suggestions for future builds in Paradise, is likewise a potential next step. Easy access to this resource will encourage conscious and resilient re-building.

With time and well thought out planning, new construction and urban planning that is focused on creating social, physical, and economic resiliency, will help to re-imagine a thriving Town of Paradise. And as Paradise rebuilds, it should serve as a model and learning opportunity for others, on successful disaster recovery and what steps can be taken now to create more resilient towns .

Next Steps

Bibliography

Chapter 1 McDonald, L. H. (2000). This Paradise we call home. Paradise, CA: Gold Nugget Museum.

California, S. O. (n.d.). California Statewide Fire Map. Retrieved from http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=2277 Rural Studio and the Architecture of Decency, Dean and Hursley, Introduction (1-13) http://www.ontheridge.com/paradise.html http://www.usacitiesonline.com/cacountyparadise.htm#history https://www.townofparadise.com/index.php/visitors/about-paradise Chapter 2 History http://www.ontheridge.com/paradise.html http://www.usacitiesonline.com/cacountyparadise.htm#history https://www.townofparadise.com/index.php/visitors/about-paradise Culture and Community Assets https://www.paradiseprpd.com/index.html https://www.townofparadise.com/index.php/9-uncategorised/93-gold-nugget-days http://www.paradisechamber.com/johnny-appleseed-days http://www.seecalifornia.com/festivals/paradise-johnny-appleseed-days.html http://chocolatefest.us/ Economics U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics **Census data is tagged to residential address, not a work address, some residents may live in Paradise and work somewhere else “Paradise, CA.” Data USA, 2019, datausa.io/profile/geo/paradise-ca/.

Prior and Anticipatory Demographics “Paradise, CA.” Data USA, 2019, datausa.io/profile/geo/paradise-ca/.

UDA. “Paradise, California.” Paradise, California, 2019, makeitparadise.org/.

U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics **Census data is tagged to residential address, not a work address, some residents may live in Paradise and work somewhere else Ecosystem Understanding Climate Consultant “Paradiso Series.” USDA, October 2006. Web. 16 May 2019. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/P/PARADISO.html.

“About Paradise.” Town Of Paradise. Web. 16 May 2019. https://www.townofparadise.com/index.php/visitors/about-paradise.

“Climate Paradise - California.” U.S. Climate Data. Web. 16 May 2019. https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/paradise/california/united-states/ usca0836 “Butte Valley Wildlife Area.” California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 31 October 2018. Web. May 16. 2019. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/ Places-to-Visit/Butte-Valley-WA. California Native Plant Society. Web. 16 May 2019. loc-39.7596,-121.6219(Paradise, California).

“Mountainside Settlements.” Architecture 2030 Palette. Web. 17 May 2019. http://2030palette.org/mountainside-settlements/ “Choosing the Right Plants for Northern Nevada’s High Fire Hazard Areas.” Living With Fire. Web. 17 May 2019. https://www.unce.unr.edu/ publications/files/nr/2017/sp1701.pdf “Building.” Architecture 2030 Palette. Web. 17 May 2019. http://2030palette.org/building/ Chapter 3 The Camp Fire Alexander, Alexander, Kurtis. “Six Months after the Camp Fire, a Devastated Community Looks to Rebuild.” The San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 May 2019, projects.sfchronicle.com/2019/rebuilding-paradise/.

California, State of. “California Statewide Fire Map.” Camp Fire General Information, cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_ id=2277.

Jr., Cleve R. Wootson. “The Deadliest, Most Destructive Wildfire in California’s History Has Finally Been Contained.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 26 Nov. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/11/25/camp-fire-deadliest-wildfire-californias-history-has-beencontained/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5ad8627dc61d.

Wiley, Michelle. “6 Months After Paradise Burned, Trauma Endures For Kids And Adults.” NPR, NPR, 11 May 2019, www.npr. org/2019/05/11/721834022/6-months-after-paradise-burned-trauma-endures-for-kids-and-adults.

Kurtis. “Six Months after the Camp Fire, a Devastated Community Looks to Rebuild.” The San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 May

2019, projects.sfchronicle.com/2019/rebuilding-paradise/.

California, State of. “California Statewide Fire Map.” Camp Fire General Information, cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_ id=2277.

Jr., Cleve R. Wootson. “The Deadliest, Most Destructive Wildfire in California’s History Has Finally Been Contained.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 26 Nov. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/11/25/camp-fire-deadliest-wildfire-californias-history-has-beencontained/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5ad8627dc61d.

Wiley, Michelle. “6 Months After Paradise Burned, Trauma Endures For Kids And Adults.” NPR, NPR, 11 May 2019, www.npr. org/2019/05/11/721834022/6-months-after-paradise-burned-trauma-endures-for-kids-and-adults.

Defining and Implementing Recovery Becker, Christine. “Disaster Recovery: A Local Government ResponsibilityChristine.” ICMA, ICMA, Mar. 2009, icma.org/sites/default/files/4718_.pdf.

“Community Recovery Plan.” Make It Paradise, UDA, 18 Apr. 2019, issuu.com/makeitparadise/docs/2350pres190418_final_rev_. https://calfire-forestry.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5306cc8cf38c4252830a38d467d33728&extent=13547810.5486%2C4824920.1673%2C-13518764.4778%2C4841526.1117%2C102100 “Long-Term Community Recovery Planning Process: A Self Help Guide.” Fema.gov, FEMA, Dec. 2005, www.fema.gov/media-librarydata/20130726-1538-20490-8825/selfhelp.pdf.

Vujanovic, Anka A, and Matthew W Gallagher. “Psychological Impact of Natural Disasters in Adults.” Psychological Impact of Natural Disasters in Adults - University of Houston, University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, 12 Sept. 2017, www.uh.edu/class/news/archive/2017/ august-september/natural-disasters-impact-adults/.

Wildland Urban Interface http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_prevention/fire_prevention_wildland_codes https://makeitparadise.org/brochure Defensible Space: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/pds/fire_resistant.html Fire Resistive HomesL http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/FIRES.html Chapter 4 Design Thinking: https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_urges_designers_to_think_big?language=en Chapter 5

Happy City, Montgomery, The Mayor and the City as Happiness Project (1-43) Retrofitting Suburbia, Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs, Dunham-Jones, Williamson, Chapter 4 (59-94) Suburban Remix, Creating the Next Generation of Urban Places, Beske and Dixon, Chapter 2 (33-81) The Image of the City, Lynch, Chapter 4 (91-117) The Rise of the Creative Class, Florida, (280-303) Chapter 7 California Recycle and Underutilized Sites (CALReUSE Program): https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calreuse.as California Wildfires Statewide Recovery Recourses: http://wildfirerecovery.org/ California Action Plan for Disaster Recovery: http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/disaster-recovery-programs/cdbg-dr/ docs/HCD-CDBG-DR-AP-01Nov18-Full-English.pdf Paradise Recovery Plan: https://makeitparadise.org/ Town of Paradise, Butte County Recovers: http://wildfirerecovery.org/ Images 1 https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/camp-fire-butte-county-paradise-video-damage-photo-13392061.php 2 https://www.kqed.org/news/11706343/photos-paradise-before-and-after-the-camp-fire 3 ttps://www.history.com/topics/natural-disasters-and-environment/hurricane-katrina#&gid=ci02319769a00026d5&pid=8-hurricanekatrina-54216822 4 4. https://www.kpbs.org/news/2019/feb/25/architecture-students-reimagine-paradise-aftermath/

Appendices Noteworthy Precedent Research Design Iterations ARCH 307 Lab/ Project Submissions ARCH 342 Lab/ Project Submissions

Noteworthy Precedent Research

Sainsbury Laboratory

Global Center for Health Innovation

The Project provides a collegial, stimulating environment for innovative research and collaboration. The building is situated within the private, ‘working’ part of the Garden, and houses research laboratories and their associated support areas.

It also contains the University’s Herbarium, meeting rooms, an auditorium, social spaces, and upgraded ancillary areas for Botanic Garden staff, plus a new public café.

The new Global Center for Health Innovation in Cleveland, designed by LMN Architects of Seattle, became the nation’s first medical mart, a yearround showplace for advanced medical devices and technology. The fourstory, 235,000-square-foot facility is intended to help brand Cleveland as an international hub of biotechnical innovation by attracting health-care-themed meetings and exhibits.

Bioprocess Innovation Center

Lowy Cancer Research Center

Inspired by the qualities of transparency produced as natural light filters through the layers of a deciduous forest, the building’s form reflects the overlapping qualities in its geometry and formal composition. The form is also a clear expression of the building’s program organized into three principal bars: a laboratory bar, an administrative bar and a public space bar.

Underpinning the project is the primary objective of providing a “flexible and evolving research facility” which will be able to adapt to the inevitability of constantly evolving and variable research programming. The building by virtue of its function divides naturally into a more formal but flexible “Laboratory Box” containing labs, support space areas and floor by floor plant and then a more fluid “human strand” containing write up spaces and a variety of areas for break out and collaborative work.

3

Design Iterations The Paradise Innovation Center

This iteration was a focus on how to make the elderly, who are often left out in society, feel comfortable while still encouraging a new generation to come.

A place for the young and old to gather. A place where they can become educated about computers and safety in the cyberworld. A place where the young can return after college. A place where the elderly can feel safe and part of the community. A place where the young can study. A place where the old can study.

Designing to attract the younger generation who are interested in computers and technology to Paradise while including seniors and those who want to be more involved in the community

The Paradise Innovation Center

The Paradise Computer and Technology Center

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This iteration was a focus on how to make the elderly, who are often left out in society, feel comfortable while still encouraging a new generation to come.

COMMUNITY LIBRARY

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PENTZ. RD

A place for the young and old to gather. A place where they can become educated about computers and safety in the cyberworld. A place where the young can return after college. A place where the elderly can feel safe and part of the community. A place where the young can study. A place where the old can study.

Designing to attract the younger generation who are interested in computers and technology to Paradise while including seniors and those who want to be more involved in the community

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GAMING CENTER

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WAGSTAFF RD

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER HEARTH + RESCUE

RECREATION CENTER

INNOVATION CAMPUS BILLIE RD

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ELLIOT RD

PEARSON RD