On January 7, 2025, the catastrophic Palisades fire tore through Sunset Mesa, triggering a large-scale fire rebuild effort to restore and enhance the community. The fire damaged 80% of the 500 homes in the community, with most being completely destroyed. In response, the residents of Sunset Mesa are uniting in a determined community effort—not just to restore their neighborhood, but to create a safer, more resilient, and insurable future.
This is precisely the mission driving the Sunset Mesa Collective, an initiative founded to help homeowners rebuild smarter, faster, and safer. Led by Francois de Lame and supported by experts like Matthew Rosenberg and Christopher Carlin, the Collective is harnessing cutting-edge precision-built technology to pave the way for a fire-resilient Sunset Mesa.
At M-Rad, we are proud to support this ongoing endeavor, bringing our architectural expertise and innovative design approach to help shape a stronger, more sustainable, and insurable community.
Community Background & Rebuilding Efforts
Sunset Mesa is a close-knit residential community consisting of 500 homes, known for its scenic ocean views and well-preserved character. However, the wildfire of January 7, 2025, severely impacted the area, leaving 80% of homes either heavily damaged or destroyed.
Recognizing the immense challenge of the fire rebuild process, local residents have launched a volunteer-led initiative to restore their community at scale. With the formation of Sunset Mesa Collective, homeowners now have a structured approach to rebuilding that emphasizes efficiency, collaboration, and innovation.
The strength of Sunset Mesa’s rebuilding effort lies in its collective approach. By working together, homeowners are securing competitive advantages in pricing, insurance negotiations, and construction timelines, positioning the community for a stronger, more resilient future.
Precision-Built Technology: A Scaled Solution for a Collective Challenge
The fire rebuild process after a wildfire presents many challenges—from high construction costs and lengthy timelines to insurance hurdles and zoning restrictions.
After extensive research and consultation with industry experts, the founders of Sunset Mesa Collective identified precision-built technology as a key solution. Unlike traditional home construction, which can be time-consuming and vulnerable to cost overruns, precision-built homes are manufactured in controlled factory environments and delivered to the site, reducing build time, waste, and exposure to weather-related delays.
However, the real power of this approach lies in scaling. By organizing as a collective, Sunset Mesa residents can harness the benefits of precision-built technology more effectively than with individual, one-off builds. This scaled solution not only lowers costs but also improves access to financing, materials, and insurance options.
A Mission to Rebuild Smarter
Sunset Mesa Collective’s mission is simple yet profound: to offer homeowners a better way to rebuild—one that prioritizes safety, affordability, efficiency, and long-term value. To achieve this, the initiative is guided by several core principles:
Character Preservation
Respecting the neighborhood’s original CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) to protect property values, ocean views, and Sunset Mesa’s unique charm. This ensures that new homes integrate seamlessly with the existing community aesthetic.
Precision-Built Solutions
Leveraging precision-built factory solutions to deliver modern, high-quality homes with greater affordability and speed. This approach not only accelerates the rebuilding process but also offers superior design consistency and craftsmanship.
Disaster Resilience
Incorporating disaster-resistant materials and mitigation measures to enhance fire safety, reduce vulnerability to future disasters, and improve overall durability.
Insurability
Addressing one of the most pressing concerns for homeowners by collaborating with insurers and regulators to ensure that rebuilt homes meet stringent fire safety standards, thereby improving insurability and securing lower insurance premiums.
Tailored Rebuilding Options
The Sunset Mesa Collective offers a flexible approach tailored to the needs of individual homeowners. Residents can choose from modernized versions of existing Sunset Mesa plans or opt for custom designs that reflect their personal vision. Additionally, the Collective provides financing options to support those who need help rebuilding or who wish to sell their property at fair market value.
Participation in the Sunset Mesa Collective is entirely voluntary, but for those seeking a streamlined, cost-effective, and future-proof rebuilding solution, it presents a compelling alternative.
Why M-Rad Supports This Initiative
At M-Rad, we have long been advocates for innovative, community-focused architecture that not only enhances the built environment but also improves quality of life. Our partnership with Sunset Mesa Collective aligns perfectly with our mission to rethink traditional design and construction practices in favor of more sustainable, resilient, and scalable solutions.
By supporting the Sunset Mesa Collective, we aim to:
Enhance Community Resilience: Helping residents return to their homes quickly and safely while creating a more disaster-resistant neighborhood.
Preserve Architectural Integrity: Ensuring that new homes honor the history and character of Sunset Mesa while embracing modern design and sustainability.
Deliver Lasting Value: Providing homeowners with high-quality, precision-built homes that offer long-term value, both financially and environmentally.
Building a Safer, More Sustainable Future
The fire rebuild journey after a wildfire is never easy, but it also presents an ongoing challenge and opportunity to build back better. The Sunset Mesa Collective is actively working toward that goal, offering residents a path forward that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and community preservation.
At M-Rad, we are proud to be part of this journey and look forward to helping shape the future of Sunset Mesa—a future defined by resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to the people who call this special place home.
If you are a Sunset Mesa homeowner interested in learning more about the Collective’s rebuilding options, please visit sunsetmesacollective.com or contact us at M-Rad for further details.