Laura Lesniewski

Laura combines a rare blend of attributes that lends a spirit of collaboration and stewardship to her work. She enjoys the exploration and discovery of the unique characteristics of each project and is dedicated to pursuing the highest levels of sustainability to build truly thriving and resilient communities. Early in her career, Laura led the design team efforts on the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City, a prime example of a public/private partnership that features the first  on-site biological wastewater treatment system in the State of Missouri, and she was project manager for the Lewis and Clark State Office Building, the first state office building in the U.S. that achieved LEED Platinum. Laura was team leader for the Omega Center for Sustainable Living (first LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certified building) and co-led the design team for a zero-carbon community redevelopment in Montreal, Quebec and a zero-carbon rural development in upstate New York.

For the past decade, she has managed projects with the U.S. Department of State as part of their Overseas Buildings Operations emphasizing design excellence and eco-diplomacy in Asia, South America, Africa, and Europe. Laura has also engaged with several disaster recovery efforts across the country as part of the BNIM planning team. And she continues to work with not-for-profit and faith communities to support great design where funds may be particularly limited.

Laura is a proud member of AIA Kansas City, served three years on the national Strategic Council, and is currently an At-Large Director on the AIA National Board. And she is currently the Board President of Westside Housing Organization in Kansas City, which provides healthy, energy-efficient, and equitable housing.