Nicolette Gordon Joins JLA’s Denver Office as a Project Specialist
DENVER — JLA Architects is proud to announce that Nicolette Gordon has joined our Denver office. As a project specialist at JLA, she will provide support to our project teams in all phases of a project from design through construction administration. Nicolette has five plus years of experience designing on the east coast. She has worked in various market sectors including residential, retail, mixed-use/multi-family, and K-12 education.
“We are excited to welcome Nicolette to our growing Denver office. She brings a pleasant demeanor and thirst for learning that fits in perfectly with our culture here at JLA,” explains Vice President & Denver Office Director Erik Jansson.
When asked why she chose JLA, Nicolette explained: “As I work towards my licensure, it was vital that I work with a company that is supportive in that journey. The fact that JLA cares about the growth of its employees caught my eye, not to mention the amount of philanthropy work that JLA does. I was also impressed with the projects that are centered around uplifting marginalized communities.”
Gordon holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University in Washington D.C.
Learn more about Nicolette Gordon
We asked Nicolette about her passion for architecture and community. Read on for our interview…
What drew you to architecture as a career?
I spent a portion of my childhood growing up in Western Germany. I lived in a quaint German town named Heltersburg, where I spent countless hours riding my bike around the community with my sister and friends. At a young age, I recall being inspired by the various roof styles and building materials that are unique to German architecture. I was around 7 or 8 years old when I sketched my first floorplan.
What’s your favorite (or most unique) project you’ve worked on?
I designed a 50 sq. ft. master bathroom for my cousin and his wife in their traditional Washington D.C. rowhome. Because of size constraints, I designed a wet bathroom with floor-to-ceiling tiles and created a small room for the toilet. My cousin and I designed, and hand-poured a concrete sink that proudly sits as a showpiece for the bathroom. The space, though small, is inviting and warm. This project means so much because it was one of the last projects that my cousin realized before his passing in 2021.
What do you do for fun – Any hobbies or special interests?
I am a project specialist by day and an artist by night. I enjoy painting and currently have a mural on view at LAAMS in New York City’s LES neighborhood.
Are you involved in the community?
In the summer of 2021, I worked with Local Initiatives Support Corporation in Washington DC (LISC DC). They work to make the District and the region a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous place for all. I have also volunteered with Open Crumb DC, a small local business, to deliver virtual cooking lessons and meal kits to people within southeast Washington DC. We successfully delivered 50 meal kits to families who needed them the most during the pandemic. I also occasionally help with meal production at Open Crumb DC for World Central Kitchen’s pandemic relief initiative to feed those in need.
In the past, I have volunteered with a group at Georgetown Ministry Center to help feed the homeless community in DC.
