Omgivning: A History of Seeing Potential

Since our founding in 2009, Omgivning has been rooted in the practice of adaptive reuse, listening to what buildings, places, and communities want to become. The word “omgivning,” Swedish for environment or ambiance, reflects our belief that design can shape resilient and connected communities while honoring the stories already embedded in the built fabric.

Our team has touched more than 700 buildings across Los Angeles, always guided by the same principle: uncovering potential in existing structures to foster authenticity, renewal, and human connection.

Extending Our Mission: The Historic House Relocation Project

The Historic House Relocation Project is a natural evolution of our core values. Instead of allowing near historic homes slated for demolition to vanish, we are finding new futures for them by physically relocating these houses to fire-impacted lots in Altadena, the Pacific Palisades, and beyond.

This effort merges the essence of our adaptive reuse practice (preserving history while addressing contemporary needs) with a social mission to provide dignified housing solutions for families rebuilding their lives. Each home carries with it not only architectural character, but also stories and craftsmanship that would otherwise be lost. By saving and re-siting these structures, we’re extending their lifespan, preventing demolition waste, and strengthening the fabric of neighborhoods.

Why It Matters

At Omgivning, we believe architecture can nurture human needs and act as a catalyst for a more equitable, sustainable future. The Historic House Relocation Project embodies this mission:

+ Preservation as Renewal – Protecting cultural and architectural history by giving homes new life.
+ Community Resilience – Supporting families in need while creating vibrant, rooted neighborhoods.
+ Sustainability in Action – Diverting tons of material from landfills through physical relocation rather than demolition.

This project reflects our vision of design as a tool for connection— linking the past with the present, architecture with community, and resilience with hope.

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Sustainability Expertise & Credentials

Sustainability Expertise: Yes

Sustainability Expertise & Credentials:

At Omgivning, sustainability is embedded in every aspect of our practice. As specialists in adaptive reuse, we view existing buildings and structures as one of the most powerful sustainable resources available. Every project begins with the principle of conserving what already exists— reducing waste, extending lifespans, and giving communities the benefit of embodied energy that would otherwise be lost to demolition.

The Historic House Relocation Project advances this commitment in a groundbreaking way. By physically relocating near historic homes slated for demolition, we are:

+Reducing Construction Waste: Preventing thousands of pounds of material from entering landfills.
+Lowering Carbon Impact: Preserving embodied carbon stored in wood framing, masonry, and original finishes.
+ Extending Building Lifecycles: Ensuring homes that are structurally sound and rich with character continue to serve new families for decades to come.
+ Promoting Equitable Sustainability: Pairing preservation with social resilience by providing housing to families rebuilding on fire-impacted lots.

Our expertise is supported by:

+ Certified Woman Owned, Small, and Local Business Enterprise (WBE, SBE, LBE) credentials, reflecting our commitment to equity and representation in the industry.
+ Decades of Adaptive Reuse Experience: Over 700 buildings touched in Los Angeles and beyond, balancing preservation, modernization, and sustainability.
+ Knowledge of Green Standards: Integration of LEED principles, California Green Building Standards (CALGreen), and innovative sustainable design practices in multiple projects.
+ Collaborations with Sustainability Leaders: Partnerships with environmental engineers, energy consultants, and policy advocates to maximize long-term resilience.

The result is a sustainability approach that is both pragmatic and visionary, leveraging preservation, relocation, and adaptive reuse as strategies for a healthier built environment and stronger communities.

Fire Resiliency Experience: Yes

Fire Resiliency Experience Details:

Omgivning’s work in adaptive reuse and community based design has long emphasized resilience, both environmental and social. The Historic House Relocation Project is a direct extension of this expertise, responding to the increasing threat of wildfires in Southern California with a design forward, preservation based solution.

By relocating near historic homes to fire impacted lots, we are:

+ Supporting Recovery Efforts: Providing families whose homes were lost to fire with high-quality, character-rich housing.
+ Designing for Fire Zones: Coordinating with engineers and code consultants to adapt relocated homes for Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) standards, ensuring compliance with fire resistant construction and defensible space requirements.
+ Integrating Resilient Systems: Incorporating updated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems with fire conscious design, such as ember resistant vents, non combustible exterior materials where required, and modern sprinkler systems.
+ Balancing Preservation with Safety: Maintaining the architectural integrity of historic homes while introducing fire resilient upgrades that extend their usefulness in high risk zones.

Our team brings deep experience navigating California building codes, zoning, and entitlement processes, including the complexities of re-siting structures and securing approvals in sensitive areas. We collaborate closely with municipalities, fire safety officials, and local communities to ensure that every relocation not only preserves history but also strengthens long-term safety and resilience.

Through this project, Omgivning demonstrates how historic preservation and fire resiliency can work hand in hand, offering a replicable model for addressing both climate impacts and housing needs in vulnerable regions.

Omgivning Architecture & Interiors

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