Repairing Greenville (An Architectural Case Study)

In August 2021, the Dixie Fire destroyed much of Greenville, California, highlighting the growing threat of climate-driven disasters, especially in wildland-urban interface zones. The town’s loss revealed the urgent need to rethink rebuilding through resilience, repair, and community collaboration.

In response, the California College of the Arts (CCA) Architecture Division partnered with Greenville, led by alumnus and resident Tyler Pew. Bringing together students, faculty, and community members, the effort embraced participatory design to reimagine not only buildings but also the town’s social, economic, and ecological systems. Grounded in CCA’s mission to serve the common good, the collaboration sought a more sustainable and equitable future.

Over several years, design studios explored strategies to revitalize Main Street, create community-focused spaces, and address housing and land stewardship. Guided by faculty, students engaged both immediate recovery needs and long-term regional challenges. Inspired by the idea of the “subtle arts of repair,” the work framed rebuilding as a holistic process involving social cohesion, economic renewal, and environmental resilience.

This book documents that journey through design proposals, resident reflections, and visual narratives. Ultimately, Repairing Greenville is both a tribute and a call to action—demonstrating how collaboration and thoughtful design can help communities rebuild stronger, more resilient futures in the face of climate change.