At NELSON, we believe architecture has the power to create a transformative sense of place, supporting communities and strengthening the fabric of cities across the nation and around the world. Recently named the #2 fastest growing architecture firm, we’re celebrating our growth, people, and projects that are boldly transforming architecture. To do so, we’ve created our latest series, “Architecture Spotlight” to introduce you to a few thought leaders within the NELSON Architecture Team.  You’ll not only get an exclusive look at our people, but hear what’s in store for the future.

This week we interview Jim Harkin, AIA, NCARB, SVP Principal at NELSON. Keep reading to learn more about his career, point-of-view, and what he think is next for the industry.

Q: What is your role at NELSON and how long have you been an architect?

A: I am the National Practice leader for Mixed-Use Co-lead of the Architecture Discipline and member of the NELSON Management Team. I have been an architect for 32 years.

Q: What is your favorite architecture trend of today?

A: The trend of “discovery” is my favorite. I don’t believe that we are in an era or style of Architecture, as in the past. We are in a time of technology, evolution, and pushing the limits of our current construction technology, all while discovering new ways.

Q: What advice would you give a young architect?

A: Be well-rounded, be uncomfortable, be humble, and follow through with any and all opportunities presented to you.

Q: What do you think the future holds for architecture?

A: I think the future is bright, but we must redefine Architecture as a profession.  We are clinging to old ideals and need to catch up to the tools, ideas, and world that are available to us.

Q: What is the biggest challenge the architecture industry faces today?

A: Finding people. Period. There are many choices for “cousin” professions that more and more young creatives are pursuing. Schools need to change and our profession needs to change to attract new young architects.

Q: What sets NELSON apart from other architecture firms?

A: Diversity, size, geographic locations, type of disciplines and practices. There are so many avenues you can pursue at NELSON. A professional can pave their own path.

Meet Karen Pelzer, Senior Project Manager, Hospitality. Karen will provide guidance and support to the hospitality team as well as champion project success.

Q: What current design trend do you wish would go away?

Brass.

Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to build things. Since I can remember, I was always drawing up floor plans and building dollhouses in my parent’s basement with scrap wood and a hacksaw. My mother used to laugh, because when I was around 3 years old, I slept over my grandmother’s house for the first time and chose the back room to sleep in because it had a day bed and was more modern in style. My grandmother had a wing chair in there, and my mother said that I drug that chair out of the room, because “it didn’t belong there”.
 

Q: Dead or alive, who are 3 people you’d love to host at a dinner party?

 Hillary Clinton, Madonna, and Jamie Oliver.

Q: What is a song or album that helps pump you up or get excited?

Madonna’s “Ray of Light.” The whole album is amazing!
 

NEW YORK — July 15, 2024 — NELSON Worldwide, an award-winning architecture, design, and strategy firm, is excited to announce that Ray Ehscheid is joining the team as National Practice Leader, Retail. With a distinguished 30-year career in retail and workplace design, Ray brings a unique blend of dynamic creative vision and focused business acumen. His expertise has consistently driven growth and innovation in both experience and physical design across the luxury, lifestyle, retail, and financial sectors.

Ray is known for transforming spaces into experiences that resonate with consumers and align with client and internal business objectives. His ability to stay ahead of market trends and translate them into actionable, forward-thinking solutions has made him a sought-after industry thought leader. In this new role at NELSON, Ray will spearhead strategic growth within the retail sector. Ray will blend business acumen with design expertise to build on the team’s success to inspire and support the global team. This initiative will catalyze ongoing innovation, delivering design excellence for current clients and new partnerships.

“Ray embodies versatility as a thought leader, strategist, spokesperson, and client advocate,” says John “Ozzie” Nelson Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at NELSON Worldwide. “We look forward to having him collaborate with our cross-functional leaders across NELSON’s multiple practice areas to bring new insights and focus to craft concepts into actionable plans and measurable results.”

NELSON’s forward-thinking approach to integrating technology, sustainability, and human-centric design principles resonates deeply with Ray’s vision for the future of retail environments. The firm’s global reach and diverse client base offer the chance to make a significant impact on a larger scale, while its entrepreneurial spirit encourages the kind of innovative thinking that has been a hallmark of Ray’s career.

Ray is an advocate for driving the integration of digital and customer experience services into architectural solutions, from an early career with Reebok, through extensive tenure reshaping Bank of America’s retail branch network, and onwards through work with a diverse and top-tier group of clients in both retail and workplace sectors. Passionate about the retail design industry, Ray maintains an active voice in key industry organizations like IIDA, PAVE, and the Retail Design Institute (RDI), where Ray was honored to be named a Fellow of the Institute in 2023.