Laura Wheaton AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Laura Wheaton is a senior associate and planner who strives to elevate and amplify community voices in design. With more than 15 years of experience in project management, community engagement, and facilitation, Laura enjoys exploring how the built environment can contribute to addressing today’s largest challenges. A skilled facilitator, she uses a variety of engagement methodologies and tools to bring together diverse voices in respectful dialogue to accelerate positive social and environmental change.  

Since joining Ayers Saint Gross in 2020, Laura has played an influential role in campus planning projects for The Ohio State University, Purdue University Northwest, Towson University, Iowa State University, Winthrop University, the University of Baltimore, and the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She finds it meaningful to work on long-term planning, helping clients to make the most of their resources in both the near and distant future. 

Outside of the office, Laura is committed to advancing the architectural profession. She is active in both AIA nationally as well as the Baltimore chapter, of which she served as president in 2022. She was a member of the AIA New Urban Agenda Task Force from 2019 to 2021 and, in 2024, she was recognized with an AIA Young Architect Award for her leadership and contributions to the profession early in her career.  

Read more about Laura’s work:

Strategies for a Successful Engagement Process
Q&A: Laura Wheaton on her Role as AIA Baltimore President