Journal Entry #16 - The Governor’s Visit, Highlights, & TFCF’s First Print!
A Special Visit
We’re starting this journal entry with some exciting news. This past week, Governor Gavin Newsom visited our team at our office space! We had the opportunity to introduce our team, walk through our work and process, and discuss both the challenges our community continues to face, and the ways so many people and organizations have come together to create and implement solutions in a moment of need.
Another reason for the Governor’s visit was the announcement of a grant provided by LA Rises, which we are so grateful, and humbled, to be a recipient of. This support strengthens our team and programs, allowing us to continue expanding the Catalog of pre-approved plans, supporting homeowners through the rebuild process, and beginning to mobilize our work in the Pacific Palisades community. We are thankful to the Governor’s Office and the California Fire Foundation for their support and belief in our mission.
Some Other Highlights
Listen to Whitney’s story and testimonial as she prepares to break ground on a Foothill Catalog home. Whitney’s interview is followed by a conversation with TFCF’s co-founder and Executive Director, Alex. Recorded for the LA Times Studio Podcast Rebuilding L.A.
Learn more about the first 3D printed plan of the Alice - complete with braille room names. This model was developed for a visually impaired homeowner and her family. This homeowner’s feedback and experience helped us realize that there was a gap in our materials, and inspired us to build more tactile, inclusive design tools. Seeing her reaction to using the model for the first time had the whole room smiling - and we are looking forward to incorporating more of these models into our process moving forward.
Watch the recording of the last Altadena Revealed of 2025 - all about Christmas Tree Lane (which is now lit through the first week of January)! One highlight of the presentation is the reading of a beautiful poem titled The Story of the Deodars, written by Altadena poet Dorothea Hoaglin Hayden in 1923. The poem is read by Susan Hubert who grew up in a home on the site of Dorothea’s garden on Alameda St. You can listen to the poem starting at the 53:00 mark!
Design Updates
The Maybrook, Cromwell, and Carmelina are officially pre-approved with LA County! We also have a new ADU type (495 sqft) currently in plan check review - El Abuelito & The Opa, and their two-story counterparts including a garage: La Abuelita & The Oma.
top row from left to right: The Carmelina, Maybrook, and Cromwell (recently pre-approved by LA County)
bottom row from left to right: El Abuelito, The Opa (roof deck option), and La Abuelita (ADU over garage)
If you’re interested in a particular design or want to learn more about our process, please fill out our Rebuild Questionnaire! Alternatively feel free to reach out to community@foothillcatalog.org with any questions.
TFCF’s First Print!
We’re happy to unveil a project that’s been in the works for a couple months: a new print titled The Architectural Vernacular of the Foothills. This 11x14 print features 7 homes, hand-drawn and watercolored by TFCF’s co-founder, Cynthia. While not exhaustive of all of the architectural styles and typologies, it showcases a snapshot of the wonderful architectural eclecticism that can be found here in the foothill region. That is - unity without uniformity.
And an important note - for every print purchased in the month of December, we will be gifting a print to a fire survivor. If you are a fire survivor interested in receiving a gifted print, please fill out this form.
Each print is produced on heavy, textured cardstock, and will be delivered in a plastic sleeve with a supportive cardboard backing. A limited number of prints are now available for purchase on our website. We’re really happy with the print quality of this piece - and we’re excited to share it with you. We hope you will consider it as a gift for someone you love (or yourself!) this holiday season!
And Finally - A Construction Update
The first Lewis on Pine is coming along! The Pasadena Community Foundation and SGV Habitat will be hosting an open house this Sunday December 14th from 1-4pm for those interested in visiting the site! Free registration, RSVP here.
Until Next Time,
The Foothill Catalog Foundation