Nikki’s background as an architect is rooted in the built environment, however, her training extends beyond physical space and focuses on the user experience and utilizing digital spaces. The case studies that have excited her the most are those in which she led design teams to find innovative solutions to solve complex problems. Nikki is inspired by how we define the concept of “home” and explores the psychology of spatial experiences in her work, using research to inform design decisions.

Architecture can be slow to adapt and after seeing problems within the design processes, Nikki’s interest is in how we can solve these inefficiencies through the use of technology focusing on user experience. She is excited to transition to a technology-based medium and bring her well-developed skills as a design problem solver and cross-disciplinary collaborator to make meaningful contributions to the field. Additionally, she enjoys exploring how digital technologies are impacting and changing our perception of space and the use of representation. With the valuable skills she has gained, Nikki will continue to explore how incorporating a human-centered design approach and data can better advocate and inform design decisions.

When Nikki isn’t spending her weekdays as an architect, she is in the outdoors, often setting out on backpacking trips to disconnect and reset. She believes that there cannot be a true understanding of the needs of the people without also understanding what it is like to be completely immersed in nature.

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Licenses and Accreditations

Registered Architect, California

NCARB

AIA

Professional Experience

Sonder | Denver, CO (remote)

2021 - 2024

Omgivning | Los Angeles, CA

2016 - 2021

• Human Centered Design Committee

• Graphics Committee (formerly Thought Leadership Committee)

• Office Standards Committee | Lead 2018-2020

• Development Committee

Design Collective | Baltimore, MD

2014 - 2016

Digital Arts Center | UNC Charlotte

2012 - 2014

Served as a research assistant at a collaborative, multi-disciplinary center that focused on four primary categories: digital fabrication, urban visualization, responsive environments, and performance.

US Army Corps of Engineers | Albuquerque, NM

2008 - 2012

Volunteer

Guest Critic | UCLA Graphic Storytelling Course

2018 - present

Bringing Back Broadway Initiative | Los Angeles, CA

2016 - 2018

A ten-year economic development program to revitalize the central historic district of downtown Los Angeles that Nicole participated in at Omgivning pro-bono.

Education

Introduction to Design (UX/UI) | Springboard

March 2021

An introduction course to provide insight in the UX/ UI design world and the basics of Figma.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Master of Architecture | 2014

University of New Mexico

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, summa cum laude | 2011

Skills

General | Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite (including pivot tables)

3D Modeling | Revit, Dynamo, Rhino, Sketch up

Visual Design | Adobe Creative Suite [Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Lightroom, Acrobat], Figma, Procreate

Data Analysis + Coding | Google Apps Scripts, SQL currently learning, Python currently learning

Collaboration + Organization | Bluebeam, PDF Expert, Miro, Smartsheets, Slack, Asana, Lucidchart

Competition + Research

Sub / Merge: Lowrise LA: Housing Ideas for Los Angeles

Subdivision Category | 2nd Place | 2021 | In collaboration with Omgivning

Human Centered Design Committee

A collaboration with Omgivning + Chu Gooding Architects | 2019 - Present

The Modern Slide Table

VModern Furniture Competition Participant | 2015

Grounded Excavations: Uncovering the Sectional Attributes of Landscape and Building

Morpholio Competition Participant | 2014

Digital Making Grant Candidate | 2014

Won Best Architectural Graduate Thesis | 2014

Primitive Parametric

Research through Making Grant Exhibit, Primitive Parametric: Biology As An Architectural Catalyst, DARTS, UNCC COA+A | 2013

Graphics Lead for the research boards, the book, and the 50-foot timeline for the “Primitive Parametric: Biology As An Architectural Catalyst” Exhibit.