Greg Kochanowski (MArch ‘99), Mohamed Sharif to co-chair AIA | LA Wildfire Disaster Response Task Force

AIA | LA has announced the Wildfire Disaster Response Task Force to assist communities affected by the region’s devastating January 2025 wildfires, and to advance strategies around wildfire risk and resilience. The Task Force will be led by co-chairs Greg Kochanowski (MArch ‘99), Founder and Design Director of The Wild: A Research Lab, and Mohamed Sharif, Founding Partner of Sharif, Lynch: Architecture, and Associate Adjunct Professor at UCLA AUD as well as Director of AUD’s Undergraduate Program in Architectural Studies.

As AIA | LA writes, the Task Force’s objectives include mobilizing AIA | LA members in order to leverage expertise in immediate assistance, mid-term recovery, and long-term rebuilding efforts; aligning volunteer interests with specific task forces; and developing a comprehensive plan to address immediate needs, advocate for policy changes, and promote sustainable rebuilding practices.

“Working together, we will rebuild more resilient communities better equipped to face ongoing climate crisis challenges,” AIA | LA writes. “Emphasizing adaptability and preparedness in design and planning, we aim to ensure that our work will help communities withstand and recover from the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires while fostering long-term well-being.”

Learn more via AIA | LA’s full announcement.