LOS ANGELES—The AIA Los Angeles (AIALA) Board of Directors has recognized Jessica Orlando, associate principal and higher education practice leader for Perkins&Will’s Los Angeles studio; Jodie Mendelson, principal at JAM Project Management; and the AIA Pasadena & Foothill Chapter (AIAPF) for launching “Ask an Architect,” a volunteer initiative born in the aftermath of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. The Community Contribution Award, newly created and jointly presented this year by AIALA and Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA), celebrates individuals, organizations, and firms whose work demonstrates how architecture can directly support communities in need.
The January 2025 Los Angeles fires affected over 20,000 land parcels, resulting in billions of dollars in direct damages. As homeowners faced the daunting task of rebuilding in the wake of this devastating natural disaster, “Ask an Architect” mobilized practitioners across the region to provide clear guidance, real expertise, and a reason to hope.
“We started the program because we knew our neighbors needed more than sympathy,” says Orlando. “They needed answers. This recognition means so much, but the real reward was leveraging our unique expertise to help our community navigate a traumatic experience and find a way to come home.”
