In this intimate conversation, architect and Archicraft Studio founder Marija Volkman explores loneliness, leadership, and the evolution of her creative voice, sharing lessons on intuition, motherhood, resilience, and the deeper meaning of legacy.

As LA’s fire-ravaged communities begin to rebuild, local agents, architects, and developers have taken on new roles—guiding residents through insurance battles, pricing chaos, and emotional recovery. With construction costs soaring and distrust high, firms like Archicraft are helping families navigate the complex path back home, marking the start of a new chapter in the region’s long recovery.

Archicraft has been hired to rebuild the Palisades Hills Recreation Center and has shared early concept mood boards as the project begins. Led by Marija Volkman and Tyler Vaughn, the firm—also authors of LA’s official rebuild guide—says it’s honored to help restore this key community hub.

Architect Marija Volkman recounts her journey from Serbia to Los Angeles, where she now co-leads Archicraft Studio. Shaped by years of rebuilding her life across continents, she focuses on thoughtful, resilient design and defines success as creating meaningful work aligned with her values.

After January’s wildfires destroyed thousands of homes in Los Angeles, Archicraft’s Marija Volkman is helping residents navigate permits, insurance, and fire-resilient design. With widespread uncertainty and a massive rebuild ahead, the studio created a practical guide to support affected homeowners. Despite the devastation, most residents plan to return and rebuild stronger.

After losing her Palisades home for the second time in the 2025 wildfires, Valerie Chan is rebuilding with the help of architect Marija Volkman, who created a free guide to help impacted homeowners navigate permits and avoid scams. As Chan salvages materials and plans a more resilient design, she encourages her community to stay hopeful during the long recovery ahead.

As rebuilding begins after the wildfires, architects face an “unprecedented building boom” complicated by plan checks, coastal regulations, and unclear tariffs. Architect Marija Volkman of Archicraft says she and her peers are piecing together photos and memories to guide early sketches, noting that “our job as architects is more like a detective.”

COTTAGE by ARCHICRAFT received a Citation in the Single-Family Residential category at the 2024 AIA|LA Design Awards, celebrating standout architecture honored at the newly opened ACLA Center for Communities in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles’ best new and upcoming projects were celebrated at the 2024 AIA|LA Design Awards, held at the new ACLA Center for Communities. In the Single-Family Residential category, COTTAGE by ARCHICRAFT received a Citation Award.

Forest Cabin is a serene woodland retreat designed as an escape from city life. Inspired by the surrounding conifer forest, the cabin features a pinecone-like aluminum façade, generous sliding glass openings, and warm oak interiors that enhance comfort and connection with nature. Built with high-performance CLT panels and crafted details, the compact home balances practicality, durability, and a quiet sense of well-being.

Modern cottage for family recreation offers relaxation and peace in the woods near Prague. Forest Cabin blends a pinecone-inspired aluminum façade with large windows and warm oak interiors, creating a compact retreat that connects seamlessly with nature. Designed for comfort and quiet escape, it offers a serene space for rest and creativity.

Forest Cabin was recognized with the Single-Family Residential Citation, honoring its thoughtful integration of contemporary design, natural materials, and a serene woodland setting. The project stands out for its refined simplicity and its ability to create a warm, immersive retreat connected to nature.

Conceived as a quiet refuge from city life, Forest Cabin embraces its remote woodland setting with a simple vertical form inspired by the surrounding conifers. Inside, warm natural materials, generous glazing, and thoughtful detailing create a compact yet inviting space designed for comfort, creativity, and an intimate connection to nature.

Forest Cabin is a compact woodland retreat designed for calm and comfort. Its pinecone-like aluminum façade blends with the forest setting, while large sliding windows connect the interior to nature. Warm oak finishes and visible CLT panels create a cozy, light-filled space ideal for relaxation and creative work.

The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles has announced the winners of the 2022 Restaurant Design Awards. Masaryčka Restaurant in Prague received the Honor Award for its elegant interplay of scale, refined palette, and sculptural ceiling that unifies the historic space with a contemporary, artful identity.