James Heimler

JAMES HEIMLER- Principal Architect

LICENSING & ACCREDITATIONS

• 2007-present Nevada State License #5929
• 2005-present USGBC-AP-LEED Accredited Professional
• 1996-2016 Certified Volunteer - Post Earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings through the Governor's office of Emergency Services (O.E.S.) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
• 1996-present National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) #46757
• 1996-present Washington State License #6983
• 1985-present California State License #C15525

AWARDS

• 2012 - San Fernando Valley American Institute of Architects - 30 year award for community service
• 2003 - Merit Award for Design Excellence- American Institute of Architects San Fernando Valley Chapter, for the "ACF Property Management Building" in Sherman Oaks, CA
• 1998 - Citation Award for Design Excellence - American Institute of Architects San Fernando Valley Chapter, for the "Scotty Building" in Sherman Oaks, CA
• 1995 - Certificate of Achievement for Community Service - American Institute of Architects San Fernando Valley Chapter
• 1976 - Second place award in engineering design national competition – California State University Northridge

EXPERIENCE
1985-Present JAMES HEIMLER, ARCHITECT, INC.
Functions include: office, scheduling and project management; marketing; client, consultant and government coordination; documenting existing conditions; master planning; programming and feasibility studies; all stages of design including: site analysis, master planning, building design and space planning from schematic design through construction documents (plans and technical specification); cost estimates; value engineering; builders or bid set of construction documentation; permit expediting; including special use permit and zone variance expediting, coordination, and approvals and/or agreements with: building departments, regional planning, city planning, scenic corridor, community groups, homeowner groups, disabled access, public works, Department of Transportation, Slum Housing Task Force, utility companies, Community Redevelopment Agency, city and state fire marshals, health department, Coastal Commission, and the Division of the State Architect, historic & cultural affair organizations, client design review boards; bid coordination; shop drawing review; construction administration and post occupancy management; and insurance claim coordination. 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

• 2010-present Member of the California Charter Schools Association
• 2008-2010 Member of 'Build-It-Green'
• 2000-present Tree People
• 1998-2011 Board Member & Past Chairman of Linc Housing- a non-profit California affordable housing developer
• 1997-2001 Member of Encino Chamber of Commerce
• 1995-2008 Member of Woodland Hills/Tarzana Chamber of Commerce
• 1993-2009 Woodland Hills-Streetscape Committee for Ventura Blvd. Specific Plan 
• 1993-present Corporate Officer-Santa Maria Trails and Parks Association (SMTPA) (Non-Profit)
• 1992-present Los Angeles Eco-City Council & Eco-Home Member
• 1985-present Member of American Institute of Architects, San Fernando Valley Chapter, California & National (30 Year Award Recipient)
• 1983-present Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility
• 1982-present Natural Resources Defense Council
• 1982-present Member of Environmental Defense Fund
• 1982-present Sierra Club
• 1978-1983 Ocean Park Community Organization, Santa Monica

EDUCATION

• 2009-present Los Angeles Community College Development DSA 301 Workshop
• 1998-present Accessibility Educational Forums
• 1976-1980 California State Polytechnic University, Pomona - Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design in Architecture
• 1974-1976 California State University, Northridge
• 1961-1974 Los Angeles Unified School District - Graduate of Fairfax High School, Bancroft Junior High School, Wonderland Park Elementary School (Santa Monica Mountains) 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

COMMUNITY ISSUES
From l978 to l983 Mr. Heimler was very active in the Ocean Park Community Organization in the City of Santa Monica. He established the first public recycling centers in California, which opened in 1979 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and he worked on creating neighborhood parks on unused land. He was active in the community making sure that City Council, Planning Department, Coastal Committee, Accessibility Boards were aware of the community issues. Not only did Jim bring light to the concerns of the community but he offered solutions and ideas to the problems. He has contributed his services to Habitat for Humanity, Woodland Hills-Streetscape Committee for Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan, and a member in the Beautification Project Committee MTA Right-of-Way, San Fernando Valley. His commitments to community issues continue to be a major activity of his professional and personal life.

HOMEOWNERS/CITY PLANNING INVOLVEMENT
Mr. Heimler continually works with Homeowners Associations in regard to specific projects and City Planning issues. He has designed buildings and negotiated agreements with the City Planning, Redevelopment Agencies, and Homeowner Groups. He was on the ad hoc committee for review of the transitional height moratorium ordinance and Hillside Ordinance, in Los Angeles, and has negotiated with developers in reaching agreements with local property owners for their support. He continues to review proposed and active Zoning and City Planning Ordinances in Los Angeles, supplying his written and oral suggestions. 

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Mr. Heimler's commitment to the health, safety and welfare of the occupants of any project is at the forefront of his thoughts. He studies the environmental effects of building products and works toward specifying less toxic building material. He considers the materials origin, production and installation prior to their selection, all in relation to the budget and building program. He is a member of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility, and many other environmental groups. His objective is to create quality designs that are sensitive to the environment.

Mr. Heimler is an active member (1993-present) of the Board of Santa Maria Trails & Parks Association (SMTPA).  SMTPA is a non-profit recreation corporation dedicated to the permanent acquisition, design, and maintenance of public hiking, bicycling and equestrian trails in the Santa Monica Mounts recreation area. Their objectives are 1) to establish an interconnecting trail system to supplement existing trails, extending outward from Topanga Canyon; 2) Develop and promote an educational enrichment program for elementary school age children which can begin in the classroom, and be complemented by an outdoor experience on the trails; 3) Work with existing trails and parks agencies to coordinate their efforts and make the best use of their funds and land easement commitments; and 4) Promote the successes of the Santa Maria Trails and Parks Association, along with other groups, to be sure that our communities are aware of their efforts and to be sure they make use of these valuable resources.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Mr. Heimler was an active Board member in affordable housing, and was Chairman, of LINC Housing Corporation (1998-2011), one of the largest non-profit developer of affordable housing in California. He was on LINC's Project Review Committee. His architectural, development and management expertise is being used to bring a non-governmental entity view to the Board, while offering sustainable, affordable, architectural solutions to multi-family developments.  LINC Housing is now approaching 5,000 affordable housing units in its portfolio, www.linchousing.org.

PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE CONCEPTS IN MEDIA
1. In 2010, the online magazine "Freshome" conducted an interview with James Heimler about the experience of being     a green architect. (Awaiting publication.)
2. In 2010, the magazine "Architecture Leaders Today" published an interview with James Heimler about sustainable   design and JHAI's architectural practices.
3. In 2009, James Heimler gave a speech at the California Environmental Health Association's Annual Educational Symposium on The Interconnectedness of Green Building Issues
4. In 2008, he gave a lecture at Smith and Barney on how to begin the process of Greening all schools and how imperative that it happen sooner than too late.
5. In 2007, James Heimler gave a lecture at he Pasadena Convention "Greening California Schools"
6. Jim has written three articles for Topics: A Magazine for the Building Professionals on Sustainable Roofing on sustainable roofing issues;
7. At the Green School Summit for LAUSD, James gave a lecture;
8. His residence appeared in the Winter 2006 Ecolution bulletin and aired on Channel 4 News;
9. He was a guest speaker on "Designing Your Future" and "Good Buy?" on Sky Link TV speaking on how JHAI implements sustainable concepts into its projects;
10. July 27, 2006, the Daily News used James as an expert source for an article entitled "Blame us, too, for city warming.", offering solutions to the rising temperatures in most major cities;
11. He wrote a column entitled "Sustainable Concepts" for Architect 2 Architect;
12. HGTV "How Much Is My House Worth?"
13. JHAI teamed up with Affirmative Color's design on "Hoppe House" for HGTV (Home and Garden TV).
14. LINC Housing helps move a major non-profit affordable housing company to sustainable building projects and bring children of intercity families into the SMMNRA.
15. Santa Maria Trails & Parks Association (SMTPA) helps provide grants for environmental education to local schools and inner city children and trail maintenance in the SMMNRA.