Laura Heim Joins HDC Board of Advisers

Laura Heim has joined the Board of Advisers of the Historic Districts Council.  HDC’s mission is to ensure the preservation of significant historic neighborhoods, buildings and public spaces in New York City, uphold the integrity of New York City’s...

Heim Panelist at Traditional Building Conference

Pleased to have contributed to the panel discussion, Opportunities and Challenges for Historic Communities: Addressing Change, at the Traditional Building Conference in Oyster Bay, NY.  A lively discussion ensued around the topic.  Panelists included Daniela...

Surf Avenue Lobby Begins Construction!

Located in a senior affordable housing building, with dramatic views to the ocean, this extensive lobby renovation has begun construction. The design greatly improves wayfinding. The  guard’s desk is relocated to be adjacent and open to the vestibule for easier...

Art by Architects

Two of Laura Heim’s watercolors were exhibited in the 4th Annual Art by Architects show at the AIANY Center for Architecture on Friday April 1, 2022.  The two recent art works, Quarantine Quietude (2020) and Leading to Light (2019), reflect the specifics of...

Book Talk – AIANY Center for Architecture

Based on their recent book, Sunnyside Gardens: Planning and Preservation in a Historic Garden Suburb (Fordham University Press, 2021), architect Laura Heim and historian Jeffrey Kroessler presented a talk on March 31st about Sunnyside Gardens—from its origins in the...

Affordable Housing in NYC Cellars? NO!

As part of the Historic Districts Council’s Preservation School Series, Laura Heim presented the basic zoning and code restrictions which make the legalization of existing NYC cellars and basements in many cases difficult and costly, if not impossible. NYC had...

AIANY Civic Leadership Program Panel

Invited by nycoba|NOMA & AIANY Civic Leadership Program (CLP), Laura Heim contributed her expertise to the panel discussion “What’s Next for Basement Apartments after Hurricane Ida?” Her experience working on one and two family houses throughout Queens, as...

The New York Review of Books

Prominent architecture critic Martin Filler’s review of our book Sunnyside Gardens: Planning and Preservation in a Historic Garden Suburb in The New York Review of Books, (11/18/21), concludes, “After nearly a century Sunnyside Gardens remains a model of...

Port Authority of NY&NJ WBE Certified

Heim Architect has recently been certified as a WBE with the Port Authority of NY&NJ. We are currently collaborating on a large scale aviation project at JFK Airport and look forward to many more opportunities to continue to contribute our skills to public...

Heim’s Op-Ed in the NY Daily News

Imagine living day in and day out in a dark cellar apartment without sunlight or fresh air….. Now is the time to reinforce quality standards of light & air and safety in housing design in Queens and beyond through innovation.  See Laura Heim’s Op-Ed in...

Heim Participates in Women-Owned Firms Panel

Invited by the Emerging New York Architects (ENYA) and Women in Architecture (WIA) committees, Laura Heim FAIA participated on a panel focusing on female founders and their stories.  The panel included multiple generations and various firms types, introducing to...

Heim on CUNY’s Indoor Voices Podcast

The Indoor Voices Podcast Episode 61: The urban optimism of Sunnyside Gardens features a lively conversation led by Owen Gutfreund, with Laura Heim and Jeffrey Kroessler about their new book, Sunnyside Gardens: Planning and Preservation in a Historic Garden...

Conversations with Mentors

Invited by the AIA Queens Emerging Professionals in Architecture (QEPA), Laura Heim FAIA discussed the intersection of her career and neighborhood revitalization as part of the ongoing, highly successful, Conversations with Mentors series. 

Heim Illustrates Sunnyside Gardens Book

Laura Heim’s projects, plans and cover photo illustrate this first book devoted to Sunnyside Gardens, a landmark of architecture, urban planning, and social engineering authored by Jeffrey Kroessler.  Years in the making, the book covers the history of...

Construction Begins on Astoria Duplex !

The new year 2021 begins with the construction of the Astoria duplex row house.  Located just off Broadway in Queens, on a challenging narrow urban lot, the design creates two interlocking apartments with distinct experiences and views of the garden and...

The Towers Garden Fence – LPC Approval

Laura Heim virtually presented the first project of 2021 before the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.  The proposal for The Towers new garden fence, prominently located along 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, was unanimously approved by the LPC on January 5th,...

Heim Studio – AIANY Speed Presentations

The AIANY Interiors Committee selected Heim Architect Studio to be included in “Speed Presentations Edition 11 Part I,” showcasing outstanding interior design spaces by 5 New York City-based architects. This edition’s theme, “Looking Back to Look Forward,” featured...

Heim’s Op-Ed in the NY Daily News

When next you pass a storefront, look at it. Appreciate the great investment it represents, and respect the open community it encourages.  See Laura Heim’s Op-Ed in the NY Daily News, When storefronts suffer, neighborhoods weep: Why looting damages much...

Light It Blue Sunnyside!

Illuminated with blue lights, the historic Sunnyside Gardens home of Laura Heim proudly joined landmarks across to globe Thursday evening to give thanks to essential workers on the front lines as part of the Coronavirus ‘Light It Blue’ campaign.  Sunnyside...

Maine Practice

Laura Heim has received her license to practice architecture in Maine.  We are beginning two new charming camp projects in Southern Maine.  With a deep respect for vernacular wooden architecture, which led to a Columbia University funded travel grant to...

Leading to Light Selected as Finalist

Laura Heim’s watercolor Leading to Light has been selected as a finalist in the 2019 Sketch 4 Freedom contest. The image captures the contest’s theme, Shadow & Light, and offers an implicit comment upon the legacy of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Leading to...

MAS NYC Jane’s Walk 2019

MAS featured the Sunnyside Gardens Tour in their Jane’s Walk photo album.  Beginning with a presentation to forty attendees at Heim Architect’s studio, Laura Heim and Jeffrey Kroessler led the Sunnyside Gardens Tour. Held annually in over 180 cities...

HDC’s Queens Borough Committee Meeting

The Historic Districts Council (HDC) held their Queens Borough Committee meeting at Heim Architect’s newly renovated office space on Wednesday March 13 at 6PM.  The committee provides a forum for all residents to discuss local concerns and initiatives in...

Laura Heim Featured in AIANY News

This month, Laura Heim is the featured member on the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architect’s website.  Click here to read the article.

Heim Architect Open House

To celebrate the opening of the newly completed studio, Heim Architect hosted two openings.  Guests enjoyed slide shows of the making of the office, the history of Sunnyside Gardens  and the office portfolio of work. To see the renovated space, click...

Heim Honored at AIA Women in Architecture Reception

Laura Heim was one of six women elevated to the College of Fellows from the AIANY Chapter which had twenty-eight total members achieve fellowship this year.  Laura discussed her path and accomplishments in architecture with highlights from her unique and varied...

Heim Architect’s New Studio

We are pleased to announce that the office has moved to our new location on Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside.  The new space is organized into areas for meeting, design, work, presentation, service and reflection.  Click HERE to understand the making of the new...

Laura Heim elevated to the College of Fellows

The American Institute of Architects announced that Laura Heim has been elevated to the College of Fellows.  Architects who have made significant contributions to the profession and society and who exemplify architectural excellence are members of the AIA College...

New York Designs 2018 Exhibit

Sunnyside Gardens’ Porch Restoration by Laura Heim was included in the New York Designs 2018 exhibit at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City as part of the AIA National Conference on Architecture.  The exhibit featured projects by New York City...

Sunnyside to Seaside Featured as AIAU Course

Laura Heim, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and Jeffrey Kroessler’s presentation, From Sunnyside to Seaside: Garden Suburb to New Urbanism, has been released as a new AIAU course, joining the collection of innovative and timely topics offered by the online educational...

New York Living Lecture

Laura Heim’s work, the Terrace House, was included in a presentation led by Paul Gunther, co-author of the book New York Living, Re-inventing Home (Click to Open Book) .   Held at the The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen located at 20 West 44th...

AIA National Presentation

Laura Heim presented to an audience of 200 at the 2017 AIA National Conference in Orlando on April 28th.  The session: From Sunnyside to Seaside, Garden Suburb to New Urbanism additionally featured renowned urban designer / architect Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk and...

Rizzoli Book Launch Featuring Heim Architect Terrace House

Join us on Tuesday April 18, 2017 at 6PM for the book launch of New York Living: Re-Inventing Home. Laura Heim Architect is pleased to announce that one of our projects, the Terrace House,  here in historic Sunnyside Gardens, will be featured. The book...

MAS NYC Jane’s Walk 2017

Held annually in over 180 cities across the globe, Jane’s walk is an international movement honoring urban activist and author Jane Jacobs.  Laura Heim and Jeffrey Kroessler led the historic Sunnyside Gardens Tour.  Tours in NYC are organized by the...

Awarding Winning Dutch Architects Tour Sunnyside

At the invitation of the World Monuments Fund, Laura Heim and Jeffrey Kroessler hosted a lecture and tour of Sunnyside Gardens for the award winning Dutch architects, Joris Molenaar and Arjan Hebly, visiting NYC to receive the 2016 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism...

AIA New York | Center for Architecture

At the invitation of the AIA New York Chapter, Laura Heim presented her work in Sunnyside Gardens to a full audience at the Center for Architecture, the respected venue for architecture and the built environment in New York City.  The presentation, Sunnyside...

Terrace House Featured in New York Living

Designed by Laura Heim, the Terrace House in Sunnyside Gardens, Queens will be featured in a new Rizzoli publication, New York Living: Re-Inventing Home.  From the press release, “New York Living celebrates this vast potential while exploring contemporary...

AIA New York State Design Conference in Saratoga

On October 1st, Laura Heim presented Sunnyside Gardens: Theory, Preservation and Practice in a Historic District in the AIANYS Design Conference, Collaboration, in Saratoga, NY.  The presentation included numerous examples of her design work in the Sunnyside Gardens...

MAS NYC Jane’s Walk 2016

Held annually in over 180 cities across the globe, Jane’s walk is an international movement honoring urban activist and author Jane Jacobs.  Laura Heim and Jeffrey Kroessler will lead the historic Sunnyside Gardens Tour.  Tours in NYC are organized by...

Heim Architect at 10!

Come celebrate a decade of design excellence! Laura Heim Architect Open House Reception Sunday March 13, 2016 2pm-5pm.  41-03 46th St Sunnyside, NY. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the firm!

Site Visit to Escamequita, Nicaragua

La Casa de Fuego y Agua begins construction.  Laura Heim traveled to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua for five days to review the site and stake the footprint of the guest house, respecting the existing site terrain as well as sensitively sequencing the approach and...

2015 QBBA Building Awards

The Queens & Bronx Building Association has honored the Terrace House, in Sunnyside Gardens, by Laura Heim Architect PLLC, with an award for excellence in design in the category of rehabilitation, alteration or addition (interior & exterior).

OHNY Sunnyside Gardens Tour

The Open House New York Sunnyside Gardens walking tour began at the office of Laura Heim with a presentation on the history of the neighborhood as well as new work completed by the firm and followed by a tour of the Gardens.

Sunnyside Gardens at 90

The Greater Astoria Historical Society invited Laura Heim to participate in a presentation commemorating the 90th anniversary of Sunnyside Gardens.   “Sunnyside Gardens at 90” reviewed the origins and significance of this garden suburb and the campaign to...

Chinese Delegates Visit Sunnyside

A delegation of 25 planning professionals and officials from Sichuan province of China came to Sunnyside for a lecture and tour by Laura Heim and Jeffrey Kroessler.  The goal was to share the lessons and successes of planned, low density growth as exemplified by...

Hyphenated Art Space Opens

Dream-Preserve: Willow Pond Nature Area    Photographs by Ross Wheeler    June 20 to June 22, 2014   The Hyphenated Art Space is proud to announce a series of gallery shows beginning this weekend in Laura Heim Architect’s office space.

Scaffolding covers Upper West Side wine shop

Facade restoration begins this week on Acker Merrall & Condit,  America’s oldest wine shop, located in the Upper West Side / Central Park West Historic District.  Laura Heim designed the restoration of the historic facade including stucco joint lines, color...

Village of Great Neck Plaza Design Charrette

Laura Heim designed site options and participated in a panel discussion to study and explore the potential redevelopment of the St. Paul’s Church Complex located on Grace Avenue in Great Neck Plaza Village.  Invited to complete the schematic design study by the...

Sunnyside: Touring a History of Housing Reform

At the invitation of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, Laura Heim contributed an article about significant housing located in Sunnyside, complete with photographs, published in the Daily News’ feature on the neighborhood. (link)

Invincible Summer Art Show

A Day on the Lake, a watercolor painted in Maine by Laura Heim, was selected to be exhibited in the juried show of Sunnyside artists held at Claret.

The Meat Boutique Opens

Featuring a bold new storefront in deep red, the Meat Boutique opened on April 30th. The traditional form fits in with its neighbors on Queens Boulevard, but also harkens back to Irish precedents. With a traditional long central meat display cabinet and wood stained...

2012 QBBA Building Awards

The Queens & Bronx Building Association honored the Shaffer Residence, otherwise known as the Bali House in Queens, by Laura Heim Architect PPLC, with a design excellence award in the category of rehabilitation, alteration or addition (interior &...

OHNY Sunnyside Gardens Tour

The Open House New York (OHNY) Sunnyside Gardens walking tour began at the office of Laura Heim with a presentation on the history of the neighborhood as well as new work completed by the firm and followed by a tour of the Gardens.

Planned Communities in London

To study the precedents of Sunnyside Gardens and the English Garden City Movement, Laura Heim traveled to London to visit Letchworth, Welwyn and the Hampstead Garden Suburb meeting with local preservation officials and architects to compare design and regulatory...

OHNY Sunnyside Gardens Tour

The Open House New York (OHNY) Sunnyside Gardens self guided walking tour began at the office of Laura Heim Architect with an exhibit of historical plans, photos and documents of the 1920’s planned community.

New York New Work Subway Exhibit

La Casa de Fuego y Agua is featured in the exhibit, New York New Work, sponsored by the AIANY as part of Archtober, the annual celebration of architecture. Located in the West 4th Street subway station, the exhibit highlights new architecture by New York City...

Celebrate Sunnywood Apartments

On Monday, August 29th, the Board of Directors of Woodysun, HDFC, an innovative partnership between Sunnyside Community Services and Woodside on the Move, Inc. hosted a reception to celebrate the preservation of affordable senior housing at Sunnywood Apartments in...

2010 QBBA Building Awards

The Queens & Bronx Building Association honored Q-Care Affordable Medical Care Office , by Laura Heim Architect PPLC, with a design excellence award in the category of rehabilitation, alteration or addition (interior & exterior).

Canstructions 2010 Juror

Joining celebrity chefs and designers, Laura Heim was an invited guest juror for the 18th annual Canstruction competition held at the World Financial Center. Architects and engineers designed and built giant structures made entirely from full cans of food. At the...

2010 AIANYS Award of Merit for Design

The American Institute of Architects New York State honored Sunnyside Gardens Residence, by Laura Heim Architect PLLC, with an 2010 Award of Merit in Design in the category of adaptive reuse at the AIANYS Convention held in Buffalo, NY. This sensitive renovation...

OHNY Sunnyside Gardens Tour

The Open House New York (OHNY) Sunnyside Gardens walking tour began at the office of Laura Heim Architect with an exhibit of historical plans, photos and documents of the 1920’s planned community followed by a tour of a recently completed award winning...

Greening St. Pauls

Laura Heim’s letter to the editor, Greening St. Paul’s, was posted in the Garden City News. The letter emphasized the environmental importance of saving the beautiful 1880’s St Paul’s School located in Garden City, NY.

Portrait of the Exquisite Art Show

Sunnyside artists exhibited their work at the third annual Queen of Angels Art Fair. Laura Heim displayed landscape watercolors from Sunnyside, Maine and Vermont. In addition, there was a juried art show, Portrait of the Exquisite where Lights of the Season was...

AIA National Convention in Miami

Sunnyside Architect Laura Heim, President of the Queens Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and Kevin Wolfe, an architect practicing in Douglaston, presented Sustainable Suburbs: Preserving Planned Communities in Queens – Douglas Manor and Sunnyside...

Sunnywood Apartments

Laura Heim Architect PLLC begins the design for the renovation of a 1980’s seven story, 78 unit, senior affordable housing apartment building in Woodside, NY. The project, Sunnywood Apartments , includes a new ground plane design with paving and landscape as...

Site Visit to Escamequita, Nicaragua

In the process of designing a new guest house in an eco-friendly community, The Haciendas at Las Fincas, just south of San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua, Laura Heim traveled there to sensitively site the house respecting views and appropriate solar and wind orientation....

Heim – Board of Directors AIA New York State

Laura Heim, AIA LEED AP begins her second term as President of AIA Queens, the Queens chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Greening Queens is the chapter theme for 2010. She is also serving on the Board of Directors for AIA New York State.

2009 QBBA Building Awards

The Queens & Bronx Building Association honored Astoria Park Residence, by Laura Heim Architect PPLC, with a design excellence award in the category of rehabilitation, alteration or addition (interior & exterior) to a two-family residence.

Accessorized with Stroller and Rake

The New York Times Habitats column of the Sunday Real Estate section featured a Sunnyside Gardens Roosevelt Court Kitchen Renovation project by Laura Heim Architect PLLC. As shown in the photos from the article, the open kitchen design and details create a modern...

Astoria Line

Astoria Line, Fall 2009, an original watercolor by Laura Heim, was included in the annual benefit silent auction to support the work of the Sunnyside Community Services.

The Real Cost of Demolition: Save St. Paul’s

The Garden City Historical Society held its second Saint Paul’s Forum, “The Real Costs of Demolition,” and Laura Heim, AIA LEED AP participated on the panel presenting the green and sustainable benefits of preserving Saint Paul’s School located...

Heim – President AIA Queens

Laura Heim, AIA begins her two year term as President of the Queens chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Connecting Queens: Fabric and Future is the chapter theme for 2009.

2008 QBBA Building Awards

The Queens & Bronx Building Association honors the Astoria Row House Renovation, by Laura Heim Architect PPLC, with a design rehabilitation award in the category of interior of a single residence, one- or two-family attached.

Sunday Morning

Sunday Morning 2008, a watercolor by Laura Heim, was auctioned off at the Fifth Annual Sunnyside Community Services’ Benefit Art Auction.

Sunnyside Artists Fair

Sunnyside artists exhibited their work at the Queen of Angels Old Church Meeting Hall. Laura Heim displayed landscape watercolors from Sunnyside, Maine and Vermont.

Hidden Away in Frenetic Queens

The New York Times Real Estate section featured an article, complete with dramatic photos, of a Sunnyside Gardens attic renovation designed by Laura Heim.

Partnership in Education Award

Laura Heim, principal of Laura Heim Architect PLLC, received a 2008 Partnership in Education Award from The International High School (IHS) at La Guardia Community College at the graduation ceremony on June 24, 2008. This award recognizes mentors who provide exemplary...

Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award 2007

Roosevelt Island Trolley Center and Visitor Kiosk The design work of Laura Heim Architect on the Roosevelt Island Trolley Center and Visitor Kiosk was recognized by the The New York Landmark Conservancy which bestowed a prestigious Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award for...

7 Local

Laura Heim’s watercolor 7 Local, 2007 was exhibited and, after spirited bidding, auctioned off at the Fourth Annual Sunnyside Community Services’ Benefit Art Auction. Read more…

AIA Queens Certificate of Appreciation

At the Queens Museum of Art, the American Institute of Architects Queens Chapter awarded Laura Heim, AIA with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her dedication and leadership to the architectural profession by working with the community towards the...

Official Opening of the Roosevelt Island Visitors Kiosk

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) had hired architect Laura Heim to assist in the coordination of the work of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and their contractors during the site work phase of the Roosevelt Island Visitors Kiosk as...

New Practices New York

Laura Heim’s portfolio of work is on exhibit at the American Institute of Architects – AIANY Chapter Center for Architecture located at 536 LaGuardia Place, NYC

Laura Heim Architect PLLC

Laura Heim opens her new architectural office in a storefront on 46th Street and Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside, NY.