Laura V. Osorio, B.Arch ‘76

Laura V. Osorio is a code consultant for Burnham New York.  She obtained a BS and a BA from CCNY School of Architecture renamed the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture.  She is an active registered architect in NY State.

Laura made her career working at the NYC Buildings Department for 20 years at an executive level.  In its’ history, she was among the first women architect to hold such a high level technical position.   She rose within the ranks to several important positions most notably the head of the Manhattan Borough Office as Borough Commissioner.  Her skill, knowledge and hard work impacted the construction industry’s progress of developments in the city

The acquired knowledge and expertise spanning her career was critical in the role she held during the mandated revision cycle of the 2014 New York City Construction Codes before retiring from this agency.

Ms. Osorio is a proud member of the Board of Directors of the Architecture Alumni Group.

How do you draw inspiration from your culture in your life and work?

From my Hispanic Heritage I get my inspiration from a personal desire to make a difference stemming from fulfilling a dream and conserving a Legacy for my mother Angelica, who in her infinite wisdom, courage, and foresight migrated from Colombia to unknown territory believing whole-heartily that in New York City she would find a better future and wonderful opportunities for her 4 children.   Out of the four, I made her dream come to fruition by, first, graduating from CCNY School of Architecture, two, becoming a registered architect in New York State and three, rising, through hard work, to high ranking public service positions within the New York City Buildings Department as the first Hispanic woman to fulfill these titles.  As such, having assisted all those involved in the Construction industry to meet their needs in an expeditious manner within a bureaucratic environment and being acknowledged for it, was super inspirational and satisfying in my work.