This episode of Convo By Design is scheduled for the week of July 8th, 2025. Intentionally so we can begin thinking about what’s coming. It’s hard to forget trauma, like what we saw in Pacific Palisades and Altadena earlier this year. But not impossible. Traditionally, “fire season” in California begins in August and ends around the end of October. Over the decades, there has been a creep into July, then June on the front end and then into November and December on the back end. Sadly, now, there is no longer a fire season, only an ongoing threat. Part of a recent California tour that started in the Bay Area and ended in Pasadena, I got an earful, and, because the mics are always on, so will you.  In this special episode, you’re going to hear an extraordinary panel conversation in its entirety—one that explores the very real and immediate design challenges and opportunities facing architects, builders, designers, and manufacturers when creating residential projects in fire-prone areas. This conversation was recorded live and it’s one of the most practical, informative, and emotionally resonant discussions we've had about fire-resilient design. This was recorded live from Golden State Lumber in Concord, CA. It features amazing professionals from design, landscape design and architecture. We have industry insiders and those on the front lines, literally.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Design Hardware - A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 - Where service meets excellence

TimberTech - Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Today, you are going to hear from;

Caroline Nassif | Studio Ovo

Mary Ann Schicketanz | Studio Schicketanz

Ian Cox | Devlin McNally Construction

Amy Wolff | Ceara Studio

John Davis | John Davis Architect

Robby Myer | Golden State Lumber

Jay Williams | The AZEK Company

Dustin Moore | Strata Landscape Architecture

This episode features the full conversation in four parts and here are some important ideas to listen for:

Setting the Context—Urgency, Evolution, and Mindset Shifts

We open with a candid discussion about the evolving nature of wildfire—how modern firestorms are not the slow-moving ground fires of the past, but fast, intense, and unpredictable events that demand a complete rethinking of how homes are sited, designed, and built.

* Listen for how the professionals on the panel are redefining “resilience”, not as a post-disaster reaction, but as a forward-thinking design responsibility.
* There’s discussion about the emotional component—how clients are now asking for homes that not only reflect their aesthetic desires but also protect their families and investment.
* You’ll hear the beginnings of a common theme: that collaboration across disciplines—architecture, landscape, materials, policy—is essential to progress.

Materials, Methods, and Design Strategy

This section dives into the specific building systems and material choices that can help defend a home against wildfire.

* Pay close attention to the comparisons between wood vs. non-combustible materials,