Design and Architecture

Hundreds of residents of Malibu lost their homes during the Woolsey Fire last month. Now the city is starting to rebuild. But there are some big questions to consider. Should houses be permitted in the most fire-prone areas? Should homes be rebuilt with more fire-resistant materials?

Malibu residents who have lived through past infernos say nothing compares to the Woolsey Fire. Most people who lost homes don’t plan on leaving. But the design and siting of homes may have to change, and Malibu may have to permit new kinds of structures. Plus, what we can learn about the future of driving from an automaker that didn’t show any cars -- and other takeaways from the LA Auto Show.

The LA Auto Show kicks off this week. Visitors can see the latest car models and learn about the technology under the hood. But one car manufacturer is not showing any cars at all during the press and trade days, and that has everyone buzzing.

This week, DnA visits the UAE and finds oil. We talk to the curator of “Crude,” an art show about oil’s impact on the lives and cities of the Gulf - and the Southland. And the founder of the alternative mobility convention LA CoMotion explains why LA is the “transportation technology capital of the world.” Plus, two women creatives at Dubai Design Week talk about designing - and dressing - for their Saudi culture, while embracing change.

The Woolsey Fire has come and gone, leaving about 1,500 homes and other structures burned to the ground, according to Cal Fire, and hundreds more are damaged. Now as homeowners embark on rebuilding, experts say this is a taste of a new normal (or abnormal) and it’s time for some big picture resilience thinking.

Wilshire Boulevard Temple broke ground on a new events center designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and his firm OMA. It’s Koolhaas' first religious building, and his first ground-up building in LA following several near misses. And, the Formosa Cafe is getting a complete makeover. The 1933 Group explains how they plan to restore the iconic Hollywood night spot to its original glory.

Jim Carrey is known as an actor and comedian, but in the last couple years he’s taken up political cartooning. He tells DnA about expressing his anti-Trump feelings through art. And buying a house in LA can be a competition. Can a personal letter to the seller give you a leg-up? The editor of “Dear Seller” shares stories of what prospective buyers write to land their dream house.