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Cortland Residence
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Nicholas Clark Architects creates environments that enhance people's lives at home and in the workplace. Our passion and goal is to provide distinctive solutions which help clients achieve their optimum home or work environment. NCA approaches each project as an opportunity to collaborate with a client through an open dialogue, in an effort to create a unique and fitting solution.
We feel it is important to create environments which not only meet clients' needs, but will withstand the test of time and be appropriate for years to come. Our design style tends to be clean and modern--but the finished product always reflects the individuality of the client and the specific project goals.
Our solution oriented approach infuses our whole operation. Not only do we solve design issues, but we develop solutions throughout the process from interpreting regulatory codes, to addressing budgetary concerns, to solving scheduling problems/coordination issues, to working with contractors, to finding the right finish. We are often commended for our attentive client service which exceeds expectations.
To achieve the best solutions possible we encourage a team approach--with our clients, within the firm and with all parties involved in the building process. We prefer to work closely with our clients--involving them in the process, inviting their point of view. To insure that our clients will be satisfied with the end result, we encourage open communication, honesty and collaboration.
We take a fresh approach to each project and commit wholeheartedly to providing the best product for our clients. We strive to make the process rewarding for all involved.
Peter Nicholas established Nicholas Architects in 1989, which was later changed to Nicholas Clark Architects. Prior to the formation of NCA, Mr. Nicholas worked in Chicago at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and Booth/Hansen and Associates where he gained much experience on larger scale commercial building types and the art of detailing. Peter worked at Buss, Silvers, Hughes and Associates in San Diego and Bower, Lewis and Thrower Architects in Philadelphia before moving to Chicago in 1985. The decision to move to Chicago from his native California was strongly influenced by his interest in urban architecture. Since founding NCA, Mr. Nicholas has won several awards and led numerous single family, multi-family, mixed use, urban design, adaptive re-use, and commercial interior projects. His interest in exploring all aspects of the design and construction process has resulted in the formation of the design/build corporation, NCA Build, Ltd., and the completion of several projects while acting as general contractor and real estate developer. Mr. Nicholas received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona in 1982 and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985. During his undergraduate studies, he spent a year in Florence, Italy studying art and architecture. He is a registered architect in Illinois and California, a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is NCARB certified. Mr. Nicholas has been a visiting critic at Cal Poly Pomona, University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Mr. Nicholas is acting Chairman of the Skokie Zoning Commission and is a board member of the Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie (IMODS). Outside of work, Mr. Nicholas enjoys cycling, tennis, cooking and music.
Ann Clark, a native Chicagoan, joined Nicholas Architects as a principal in 1990. Previously, Ms. Clark was a project architect at Tigerman/McCurry Architects, and Dotson & Darr Architects. During her academic training, she worked at Schroeder/Murchie Architects. Ms. Clark has extensive experience in single family and multi-family residential projects and enjoys designing furniture and interiors. Prior to her decision to study architecture, Ann lived in New York City where she worked at an art publication and pursued her lifelong interest in painting. Ann received a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and Economics from Duke University in 1982 and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1988. Ms. Clark has international experience having studied as an undergraduate in Erlangen, Germany and as a graduate student in Rome, Italy. She also traveled to St. Poelten, Austria for the culmination of her academic career, where she further developed her German vocabulary while collaborating with seven of her classmates on the design and construction of a theoretical project funded by the SOM Foundation. Ms. Clark is a registered architect in Illinois and a member of the Association of Licensed Architects. She serves on the Village of Skokie Appearance Commission, served on the board of the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation for 3 years, acts as a board member for The Creative Arts Exchange, is continually working towards Illinois state school funding reform and practices yoga. Ann also continues to foster her creative endeavors by making art as often as possible.
Ms. Fowlie earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois in 2000. While in school she won the Chicago Architects Club Award, first place for the U.S.X. Southworks Remediation Competition, and served as the vice president of the student chapter of the AIA. Her drawings have been published in the CD-Rom produced by Ben Nicholson and the Renaissance Society entitled, “Thinking the Unthinkable House.” Prior to joining NCA, she worked for Zed Architects, whose primary focus was residential design. She also was a construction administration assistant for the design/build firm Ohle & Associates. Ms. Fowlie joined NCA in 1992 and has been Project Manager for numerous projects. Along with a strong design sensibility, she has become the in-house technical and building code expert. She has had a hand in virtually all of NCA’s important projects and provides an important depth of knowledge for all of NCA’s staff members. In her free time Lane enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering for children’s programs, and bike riding.
Janeen Harrell is a native of Durham, North Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Hampton University in 2001. She practiced for three years with The Freelon Group Architects before studying at Cornell University where she earned the degree of Master of Arts in Interior Design with a specialization is Sustainable and Regenerative design in 2006. Her thesis work explored the affordability of sustainable housing through comparison of materials and potential contribution to a carbon trading market. After graduating, she stayed at Cornell to teach the Sophomore Interior Design Studio and then moved to Chicago to join Nicholas Clark Architects. Since joining NCA, she has brought a holistic approach to every project, with a strong sense of organization and interest in knowing all parts of the project, which is supported by her well rounded education and professional career. She is currently working towards architectural licensure. Outside of architectural pursuits, Janeen enjoys painting and varied forms of dance including ballet and competitive ballroom.

