Design Initiative

Update from the Vancouver Island residence! Things are still moving along nicely. We can't wait to take a trip and see this one in person!

Visiting projects by influential architects is always rewarding. Kris recently visited the Exeter Library, designed by Louis Kahn and completed in 1972.

Kahn was a master of light and shadow. He viewed light as a “giver of all presences” and “All material in nature, the mountains and the streams and the air and we, are made of Light which has been spent, and this crumpled mass called material casts a shadow, and the shadow belongs to Light.” For him, light is the maker of material, and the materials’ purpose is to cast shadows.

He used brick for the building's exterior, sourced locally, which was important to the Academy. The interior features marble and slate, with natural wood accents that add warmth and glow, welcoming readers as natural light floods the space.

Introducing Patrick! Since joining Design Initiative in 2021, Patrick has brought his love of music, furniture building, and construction detailing to the office. He has worked on several exciting projects, including the Vancouver Island Residence shown here. In his spare time he enjoys traveling and lounging with his wife, Keely and son, Nate. He has also been an active participant in renovating the Norwood neighborhood with a total of 5 properties to date, one of which is his own early 20th century home.

Forest Park Residence - By distilling the existing spaces down to the essential programmatic functions, the result is an open but intimate space with access to views and daylight.

Final update for the Goldwire Heights homes! They are complete! 2/3 of these homes were constructed using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) while the third home used conventional framing methods. This allowed us to compare the efficiency of this method of construction with that of a conventionally framed home.

Progress is still being made on the Vancouver Island Residence, despite the snowy conditions! We are excited to see this project coming to life!

The development of an idea. As architects, we use sketches and diagrams to help us work through a concept. Elements from the systems within a structure, to the facade often begin with a simple drawing on a post-it note.

Everyone meet Andrew! With more than a decade of dedication to our firm, Andrew brings passion and expertise to every project. A fan of jazz, a Waffle House enthusiast, and a true cinema connoisseur, his love for community shines through his active involvement – making a positive impact both inside and outside the office.

Foundations on the Vancouver Island residence are being set! We are so excited to see this project moving forward! Swipe to see the layout of the home in reference to the forms.

Here is a look at some concept renderings for a residential project we are working on in Collinsville, Alabama. A mix of George Jetson and southern vernacular gives this roof a shape that allows for heat to flow up and out of the home, and encourages passive cooling.

One of the initial steps in any project is understanding the site. The diagrams you see here are the result of meticulous site analysis of Red Mountain Park, where we examine topography, sun paths, wind patterns, and more. These insights allow us to design buildings that are compatible with their surroundings, ensuring sustainable and functional structures.

01) Mine Tunnels and Historic Housing
02) Sun/Wind and Mine Tunnels/Tracks
03) Soils and Ecology
04) Nodes and Site Plan

Here is a quick look at some of our previous commercial projects and concepts. Do you recognize any of them? Let us know in the comments which space you enjoy the most and why!

This repeat client engaged Design Initiative to renovate an existing two-story office building for his business. The renovation of this project was carried out in two phases. The goal of the first phase of the project was to transform an ordinary office interior into a unique place of work on a modest budget. The dark interior conference room and hallways serving the perimeter offices were replaced with a centralized open common area and a new conference room. A plywood-clad ceiling plane unites the open gathering area with a new glass enclosed conference room. Updated finishes brighten the interior spaces and portions of the existing ceilings were removed to reveal the roof structure and further express the wood ceiling.

Visit our website to learn more about phase two and the exterior of this project, The Crescent Building.

Meet Kris Nikolich: Co-founder and Partner at Design Initiative

Kris enjoys spending time cooking, skiing and traveling abroad. His heart belongs to his wife Heather and their adorable rescue pups, Scout and Atticus. He is a Syracuse University Alumnus. Throughout his career, he's worked in firms in the United States and abroad. Since moving to Birmingham in 1997, he has been involved with a wide array of projects, from small residential projects to large institutional work, from the Middle East to the Pacific Northwest. He has actively contributed to various local boards, including The Friends of the Railroad District, The Alabama Environmental Council, and The Children’s Committee for the Future. He has been an adjunct professor for the Auburn Architecture Urban Studies program and often serves on local architectural juries. Each summer he volunteers as a teacher at Space One Eleven Arts Center, sharing his architectural passion with young creative minds. Some notable projects Kris has developed at Design Initiative recently include: Fortif Law Partners, TE Stevens Headquarters, and Sloss Quarters.

Did you know we also work on projects outside of the US? Here is a glimpse of a private residence on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada that has recently started construction. Be sure to follow us to see the finished project!

Celebrating Steel in the Heart of Birmingham, AL! Swipe through these images to witness how this material has played a role in several of our projects.

This residence is sited on a sloped lot near the urban village of Mountain Brook, Alabama. The client asked for an efficient design that optimized site, was expressive of their taste, was resource and energy conscious, and fit the neighborhood. We responded by creating a gabled cruciform mass organizing the public living spaces and master suite on ground floor and the guest en suite, additional bedrooms and common space above. Each room width is limited to sixteen feet to provide access to views, encourage daylighting and allow natural cross ventilation. Locally available materials are constructed and expressed authentically, reinforcing the idea of connecting interior and exterior spaces. A gradual inclined arrival sequence takes one from the street through a series exterior and interior spaces leading to the family room and kitchen revealing a private terrace and grassed lawn. Visit our website to see more on this project!

Through Adaptive Reuse, we breathe new life into existing structures, transforming forgotten gems into thriving, functional spaces. From historic buildings to industrial warehouses, each project preserves a part of history while catering to modern needs.

This eco-friendly approach reduces construction waste, conserves resources, and minimizes our environmental impact. By preserving the past and repurposing it for the future, we create sustainable communities with a nod to heritage.

Share your thoughts on Adaptive Reuse below!

Peek into our Sketchbooks! Swipe to explore the creativity happening behind the scenes at Design Initiative, and let us know in the comments where your favorite place to sketch is!

Introducing the newest member of the Design Initiative team! Mia Edens is a junior architecture student at Samford University from Houston, Alabama. Apart from her time working for design initiative she enjoys spending time on the lake with her family, watching Ted lasso, reading, and hanging out with her family. She is passionate about sustainable design and wants to work in commercial architecture. Mia is a certified archaeologist and hopes to use the combination of architecture and archeology in her graduate work.

🔍 Ever wondered how an architect's vision takes shape before construction begins? Say hello to architectural renderings! 🎨 These images are the bridge between ideas and reality, allowing us to visualize and fine-tune our designs with precision and clarity.

💡 From the grandest facades to the tiniest details, renderings help us explore and experiment, making informed decisions about materials, colors, and spatial arrangements.

🏗️ Beyond aesthetics, renderings play a vital role in communication, enabling us to share our vision with clients, stakeholders, and the community, fostering collaboration and understanding.

Seeking some thought-provoking reads? Our team recommends the inspiring books pictured and listed below:

Critical Path - Buckminster Fuller
The Ecology of Commerce - Paul Hawken
Blessed Unrest - Paul Hawken
The Omnivore’s Dilemma - Michael Pollan
A Place of My Own - Michael Pollan
Credo - William Sloan Coffin
What Are People For? Essays - Wendell Berry

Have you explored any of these gems yet? Share your thoughts or recommend your own favorites in the comments! 👇

Here are a few images from a previous project that we completed in 2017. This project involved the transformation of a pre-engineered building into a rock climbing facility. We love adaptively reusing buildings in order to maximize existing resources and promote sustainable development.

Effective planning is vital for fostering social, economic, and environmental well-being, enhancing quality of life, and creating cohesive communities. Through careful visualization of future possibilities, we bring people together and catalyze positive change.

Diagrams hold immense importance in the planning process. They serve as powerful tools, visually conveying complex ideas, land use patterns, transportation networks, and more. Our diagrams help to facilitate collaboration, informed decision-making, and active stakeholder engagement.

Meet Riley, our talented Summer Intern! From Mississippi State University to the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Riley's passion for architecture shines through. When he's not busy designing, you can find him building trails, casting lines, and creating mesmerizing earthwork sculptures. With a love for early 2000s music and a keen eye for adaptive reuse and historic preservation, Riley brings a fresh perspective to our team. Be sure to swipe to see some of Rileys structures!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

As a result of a design competition, Design Initiative was chosen by one of our clients to move forward on the design and construction of a new single family dwelling located on Red Mountain. In addition to pursuing a contemporary design aesthetic, a primary goal of this project was to design a home that pursued a LEED platinum certification. Visit our website to learn more!

Fortif Law Partners asked Design Initiative to renovate their offices on two floors of a brick and timber framed warehouse on historic cobblestone Morris Avenue. Creating a new work space (environment) that embodies the ethos of the rapidly growing firm was a primary goal of the project. The character needed to balance the needs of a modern office space while honoring the history of the building and its locale. Each floor was selectively demolished to prepare for the new work. Click the link in our bio to learn more!

Anyone else a fan of exposed brick?🧱 Enjoy these shots from some previous projects, and a sneak peek of one we recently finished for with and . More images of this project coming Tuesday, so be sure to follow along for more!

Flip through these photos to see what this site looked like just last week! The team (Navigate Affordable Housing Partners Extreme Panel Technologies Locke General Contractors Build UP Birmingham)worked hard to quickly finish the exterior framing on not one, but TWO houses in only one week! Using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) allowed the frame to be built much quicker than conventional framing with less material waste. Having an awesome team helps as well!