Geoffrey von Oeyen: Designing a fire-resilient future for Los Angeles

Written By Jan Brzeski

Geoffrey von Oeyen is an award-winning architect and Associate Professor of Practice at the USC School of Architecture. A graduate of Stanford University, the University of Cambridge (Fulbright Scholar), and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, he previously worked for seven years with Frank Gehry in Los Angeles before founding Geoffrey von Oeyen Design and Von Oeyen Architects. His work focuses on innovative, resilient architecture, and in recent years, he has become a leading voice in wildfire-resistant design following the total loss of a family home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire.

In this episode, Jan and Geoffrey discuss:

  • Geoffrey’s personal experience losing a newly completed Malibu home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire

  • Why wildfire is no longer a fringe issue but an urban and global reality

  • The role of IBHS and the Wildfire Prepared Home certification in rebuilding safer homes

  • Practical strategies for hardening existing homes, from landscaping to vent protection

Key Takeaways: 

  • Wildfire is no longer a rare event affecting isolated communities. It is an urban challenge that demands new thinking about how we design neighborhoods, homes, and public policy.

  • Homeowners already have access to actionable tools like the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home checklist. From defensible space to ember-resistant vents, small changes can dramatically improve survivability.

  • Resilient rebuilding is not just about individual homes. Fire-resistant construction protects entire neighborhoods by preventing structure-to-structure ignition.

  • New building technologies, such as insulated concrete panel systems, offer promising alternatives to traditional stick-frame construction. These systems can improve fire resistance, seismic performance, and long-term durability.

“The most important takeaway is that this is the future. This is the world we live in.” – Geoffrey von Oeyen

Connect with Geoffrey von Oeyen:

Website: https://www.vonoeyen.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-von-oeyen-584a889/

Connect with Jan Brzeski:

Website: https://scipfinance.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires

Email: pr@scipfinance.com 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Jan Brzeski
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