Project Highlight: Pacific Palisades Rebuild

Architecture: KOVAC Architecture
Interior Design: Nelson Davis
Photography & Videos: Saul Estrada

This is FORMA Construction’s first project in Los Angeles. It is a major milestone as the company expands beyond the Bay Area. This project is also significant because it is in the Pacific Palisades and part of the broader rebuilding effort happening across the region.

It is an honor to document a project like this one. We are excited to share it as it progresses. The work is already underway, and we will be back regularly over the next year and a half to document major milestones as the home is rebuilt.

The Palisades Fire

In January 2025, the Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities were hit by the Palisades Fire. It was a devastating event that changed the landscape and the lives tied to it. It began in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County and spread through Pacific Palisades and nearby communities including Topanga and Malibu.

Fire weather conditions and Santa Ana winds affected the region during the incident and complicated containment efforts in the days that followed. The incident remained active for 24 days as crews worked toward full containment.

The fire began on January 7, 2025 and was fully contained on January 31, 2025. It burned roughly 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, and damaged 973 more. Twelve lives were lost.

Stabilizing the Hole

Right now the project is defined by the big hole in the ground as the team excavates for a full basement. The work started in December and the excavation has now reached final depth.

The first step was installing soldier piles around the perimeter. These are vertical steel posts that act as the frame for a retaining system during excavation. As the crew dug deeper in stages, they added wood lagging between the piles. These boards hold back the soil between the steel posts and keep the excavation stable.

This matters because the excavation sits close to neighboring properties. The shoring system stabilizes the edges of the hole so the crew can build the foundation safely.

At this point, excavation is largely complete. Formwork has started. Rebar comes next. Concrete for the footings follows. After that, the outer foundation walls will begin rising and the project will start working its way up out of the hole.

The Basement

One standout feature of this home is the basement. Historically, most Southern California homes have been built without basements. That is starting to change. Adding square footage below grade can be a strategic way to expand the usable program of the home while staying inside the existing footprint and zoning constraints.

This speaks to the real financial reality of rebuilding. Many families are still navigating insurance, permitting, and the gap between what was lost and what it takes to build again. Smart square footage choices are one way homeowners try to recover value while keeping the project feasible.

Entitlements

On this project, the work started long before construction began on site. One of the biggest challenges in any build is the entitlements process. This is the stage where the team works with the city and other authorities having jurisdiction to get approval to build.

Under normal conditions, entitlements can be a lengthy process. In a rebuild environment, it can be even more complex because many property owners are moving through the same system at the same time.

This project stands out because the team and the client have been able to navigate that process effectively. Key partners on this project include KOVAC Architecture, responsible for the architectural design, and Nelson Davis, leading the interior design work.

The Team

This project marks FORMA’s expansion into Southern California. It has required a strong team on the ground in Los Angeles to keep the work running smoothly and on track.

Herb is the superintendent leading the job. He brings decades of experience in Southern California. Angela Logan is the project manager overseeing the work from FORMA’s side. She relocated from the Bay Area to help lead this effort. Together, Angela and Herb are coordinating the day to day work.

We are grateful for their leadership and for the full team of trades and partners helping move the work forward.

We will be back regularly to document progress and share updates as the build moves forward. Check back here for the next update.