Returning to the West Coast in 1985, Nicholas began to project manage mid-rise and high-rise construction projects to house data centers and office complexes for companies including the American Savings Bank, First Nationwide Bank, and US Bank. In 1992 he was invited to manage the Facilities Planning Department at Nike’s headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. Here he worked with management to minimize error rates and increase productivity by using architecture and design to create efficiencies between departments. In 1994 he became Head of Architecture and Engineering for the United States at Shimizu Corporation, at that time, the world’s fourth largest construction company. He supervised a number of design and engineering projects for Sharp Corporation, Panasonic, EPSON, Kyocera and Subaru Corporation. In 1999, Nicholas established his own firm providing architecture and project management consulting for residential developers, senior housing projects, restaurants, multifamily projects and public school districts.

Today, Nicholas works for a select group of clients on projects that allow space for his artistic expression, and that have a personal resonance. These include restoring his family’s historic homestead in the mountain town of Bozeman, Montana; designing custom furniture, and milling and reclaiming wood.