Altadena Collective
Restoring Altadena together. Through the power of community we can rebuild a resilient and affordable future.
Mission
Provide information and resources to help Altadena residents make informed rebuilding decisions. Connect affected residents to take advantage of collective organization throughout the rebuild process – whether that be in coordinated third party services like synchronized surveys or group construction with a single builder. Collaborate with design and engineering professionals to facilitate coordinated drawing and permit delivery on behalf of residents. Create and manage a process to qualify and vet construction professionals and material/finish suppliers so that better rebuild opportunities can be presented to Altadena residents. Coordinate with local non-profit groups to assist in protecting a resident’s interest in remaining in their neighborhood if they choose to stay.
How the Collective Works
Are you looking to Rebuild? Owners interested in taking advantage of collective bargaining and rebuilding in a better more affordable way, please fill out our online form. Sign up to get relevant information, connect with qualified professionals, and learn more. The Altadena Collective will be holding meetings and events, so submitting this form will also add you to our email list.
Janes Cottage Model Home Program
The Altadena Collective’s first initiative has been to help the Janes Village community rebuild their stylized English Cottage style homes. Built around a hundred years ago by developer E.P. Janes the homes are defined by their steep roof, eccentric windows, and cozy spaces. We collaborated via a grassroots strategy with other design professionals to redesign the Janes while keeping the classic look and feel that everyone loves. Modernizations are included in order to reduce design costs, increase fire resiliency, and improve the floor plan functionality. If you’d like to pursue a Janes Cottage catalog style home as a starting point for your semi-custom home design in your rebuild journey please reach out.
The Janes Cottages were built in Altadena between 1924 and 1926 by developer Elisha P. Janes, who created small tracts of English-inspired homes designed to be charming, efficient, and accessible to middle-class buyers. Known as “homes of distinction in scenic Altadena,” these cottages combined storybook architecture with practical six-room floor plans and landscaped lots, helping shape one of the area’s most recognizable historic neighborhoods.
The six plans presented here are contemporary interpretations of the original cottages. They preserve the scale, character, and architectural spirit of the 1920s homes while incorporating modern kitchens and bathrooms, updated building systems, improved fire-hardening, and flexible attic spaces for future expansion, allowing the legacy of the Janes Cottages to continue for the next generation.
