Principal

Heather Johnston, founding Principal of Heather Johnston Architect, is an architect with more than 20 years of professional experience.

Heather was born in Canada's far north and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Alberta, Canada. After graduating, she traveled through western Europe, investigating the great works of art and architecture she had only, until then, read about. Inspired to become an architect, she returned to Canada and approached the internationally award-winning firm of Barton Myers Associates in Toronto. She was accepted as an intern and began the Masters of Architecture program at the University of California in Los Angeles 18 months later. After graduating with honors in 1987, she remained in Los Angeles to complete her licensure requirements.

Returning briefly to Canada in 1992, Heather practiced West-coast heavy timber construction techniques with the firm of Osburne Clarke Associates in Vancouver, B.C. Upon her return to the U.S., Heather settled in San Diego and re-established her firm in La Jolla, specializing in custom residences and upscale renovations.

Education

Master of Architecture, with Honors, UCLA
Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Alberta

Professional Affiliations

Licensed Architect, State of California
Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Member, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
Appointee, Escondido Design Review Board (2001-2003)

Awards

Home of the Year, San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles (2010)
Knapp Fellowship (1985)
National AIA Fellowship (1986)
Landau Scholarship (1986)
Thesis of Distinction, UCLA (1987)
UCLA Architecture Journal, Publication of Thesis (1989)

Select Residential Projects

Principal / Project Architect

2,700 s.f. Custom Home, Mission Hills, San Diego. Complete redesign and rebuild after fire destroyed original house.

Guest Cottage: Design published and sold as prototype by Better Homes & Gardens

Renovation & Addition / Private Residence
Location: La Jolla, CA

3,500 square foot custom waterfront residence
Location: Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada

4,500 square foot custom waterfront residence & guest house
Location: Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada

5,000 square foot residence
Location: West Vancouver, BC, Canada

5,500 square foot speculative residence
Location: Hollywood Hills, CA

Addition & Landscape Renovation / Private Residence
Location: Beverly Hills, CA

Addition / Pfeiffer Residence
Location: Brentwood, CA

Select Commercial Projects

Project Architect / Designer

Maple Drive Office Building
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Firm: Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associations, Los Angeles

Interior Design / Bank of America Building
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Firm: CDC with Anthony Rodriquez

Birks Flagship Store
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Firm: Oberto Oberti Architects Inc

Universal Studios Childcare Center
Location: Burbank, California
Firm: Rios Pearson Associates

West Hollywood Actor's Studio Addition and Master Landscape Plan
Location: West Hollywood, California
Firm: Rios Pearson Associates

Wang Office Tower
Location: Los Angeles
Firm: Barton Myers Associates

IBM Corporate Headquarters Master Plan
Location: Texas
Firm: Barton Myers Associates

York University Fine Arts Center
Location: Toronto, Canada
Firm: Barton Myers Associates

Phoenix City Hall, Master Plan
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Firm: Barton Myers Associates