Heather Roberge Obituary, Cause of Death – UCLA Architecture Professor Remembered for Her Lasting Legacy
The Los Angeles architecture and academic communities are mourning the reported passing of Heather Roberge, a longtime professor at the University of California, Los Angeles and founder and principal of the design practice Murmur.
Friends have begun sharing messages of remembrance following reports of Roberge's death, describing her as a dear and deeply valued friend. Public tributes have also expressed sympathy to people identified as David and Finian.
As of September 23, 2026, UCLA had not posted a formal death announcement on its public Architecture and Urban Design news pages in the information reviewed for this article. Important personal details surrounding Roberge's reported passing also remain unavailable.
Heather Roberge and UCLA Architecture
Roberge was a prominent member of UCLA Architecture and Urban Design, where she served as a professor and contributed to teaching, research and departmental leadership.
According to her UCLA faculty profile, Roberge joined the university's faculty in 2002. She later served as chair of UCLA Architecture and Urban Design from 2017 through 2020 and directed the department's undergraduate program.
Her academic work explored the relationship between architecture, digital technology, materials and construction.
Through teaching and research, she examined how computation and advanced manufacturing could expand the possibilities of architectural design and building.
Founder and Principal of Murmur
Beyond UCLA, Roberge was the founder and principal of Murmur, a Los Angeles-based architecture and design practice.
Her professional work combined architectural research, design and technical performance, with projects spanning residential, higher-education and commercial settings.
Murmur's work explored the spatial, structural and atmospheric possibilities created through digital technologies and advanced approaches to architectural production.
The combination of academic research and professional practice became an important part of Roberge's career.
Heather Roberge's Architectural Career
Roberge's professional background included work with several prominent architecture firms, including Eisenman Architects, Architecture Research Office and Davis Brody Bond.
She also worked with Gnuform and taught architecture at several universities, including Yale University, the University of Virginia, Washington University in St. Louis, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Pratt Institute.
Her education included a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Ohio State University, where she graduated summa cum laude in architecture.
She also participated in an international study program at the Architectural Association in London.
Awards and Professional Recognition
Roberge received recognition for both her architectural work and contributions to education.
Her honors included the 2016 Emerging Voices Award from the Architectural League of New York and the 2017 ACADIA Teaching Award of Excellence.
Her architectural projects also received recognition from the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
In July 2026, UCLA announced that Roberge had been named the 2026 AIA-LA Educator of the Year, recognizing her contributions to architectural education.
The recognition came only weeks before reports of her death began circulating.
Friends Remember Heather Roberge
Early public tributes following the reported news of Roberge's passing have focused on her relationships with friends and loved ones.
One tribute described Heather as a special and dear friend while expressing condolences to David and Finian.
The messages reflect the personal grief surrounding the reported loss but do not provide verified information about the circumstances of her death.
For those who knew Roberge personally, her legacy extends beyond her professional achievements to the relationships she developed throughout her life.
A Legacy in Architecture and Education
Roberge's professional legacy encompasses architecture, university teaching, research and experimentation.
At UCLA, she worked with students and colleagues in a department focused on architecture and urban design. Her research examined the intersection of digital technology and physical construction, while her teaching encouraged students to explore new approaches to materials, computation and manufacturing.
Her architectural work and research were also published and exhibited internationally, according to the information supplied for this article.
Through both practice and education, Roberge contributed to conversations about how emerging technologies could influence the future of architecture.
Heather Roberge Cause of Death and Circumstances
The cause and circumstances of Heather Roberge's reported death have not been publicly confirmed in the reliable information reviewed.
Her exact date of death and age have also not been independently established in the available material.
No speculation about the circumstances is included in this article.
Additional information may become available if UCLA, her family or another authoritative source issues a formal announcement.
Heather Roberge Obituary and Funeral Details
Funeral, visitation and memorial-service arrangements for Roberge have not been publicly confirmed.
Any information concerning services should be verified through her family, UCLA or an official memorial announcement before being treated as final.
Heather Roberge Obituary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Heather Roberge |
| Profession | Architect and educator |
| UCLA affiliation | UCLA Architecture and Urban Design |
| Position | Professor |
| UCLA faculty since | 2002 |
| Former leadership role | Chair, UCLA Architecture and Urban Design, 2017–2020 |
| Design practice | Murmur |
| Role at Murmur | Founder and principal |
| Base | Los Angeles, California |
| Education | Ohio State University; Architectural Association, London |
| Major recognition | 2026 AIA-LA Educator of the Year |
| Reported status | Reported deceased |
| Exact date of death | Not publicly confirmed |
| Age | Not publicly confirmed |
| Cause of death | Not publicly confirmed |
| Funeral arrangements | Not publicly announced |
Remembering Heather Roberge
The reported death of Heather Roberge has brought grief to friends and members of the architecture community who knew her through UCLA, Murmur and her broader professional life.
Her career brought together architecture, education, research and technological experimentation. Her work as an educator also placed her in contact with generations of architecture students.
As friends and colleagues process the reported loss, additional details about her life and memorial arrangements may emerge.
For now, the available public information portrays Roberge as an accomplished architect and educator whose work occupied an important place within Los Angeles architecture and UCLA's design community.
Information Disclaimer
This article is based on information publicly available as of September 23, 2026. The reported death has not been accompanied by a comprehensive formal announcement from UCLA or the family in the information reviewed for this article. Her age, exact date of death, cause of death and funeral arrangements should not be treated as confirmed unless subsequently announced by an authoritative source. This article does not speculate about the circumstances of her reported passing.