Nicki Hellem
“Motherhood has also made me a more empathetic leader, offering a broader perspective on life. I’ve found that many things that once bothered me no longer do. I’m more compassionate with mentees, more patient, and more attuned to the bigger picture.”
ArchNative meet Nicki Hellem, RID, ASID, EDAC, LEED AP ID+C,
Nicki is the Associated Principal focused on Health at Perkins & Will, a global design firm, for their Dallas studio. Nicki specializes in adult inpatient care units, women’s services, and public healthcare spaces. Studying design’s influence on psychology and workflow, Nicki uses her skill to support patients as they heal and clinicians as they work. She understands the emotional difficulty of a hospital visit, and she’s intent on making it easier. This holistic, evidence-based approach—combined with Nicki’s team-player spirit and authentic desire to connect with people—reliably shapes a more beautiful, functional, positive experience of care.
We spoke with Nicki about her career journey at the design studio from Interior Designer to Associate Principal, her work with the Renown Health Pediatric Unit and how she addresses different design challenges associated with working in the healthcare sector, and how motherhood has shaped her career and given her a different design perspective.
Tell us a little bit about your introduction to architecture. What was your first introduction to the field and what made you want to pursue it as a career?
I’ve always had a creative side. Growing up, I took every art class available—photography, ceramics, drawing—and loved all of it. But when I got to college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. It was an art history professor who ultimately inspired me to pursue interior design. That class and that professor encouraged my creativity and helped me see a place for myself in the design world. I love that interior design is both detail-oriented and purpose-driven, especially in healthcare. I’ve always been passionate about helping people and doing what I can to make the world a better place, and healthcare interiors are where my skills overlap most with that mission.
The funny thing is, my dad’s an architect. He was part of a facilities team for a large hospital in Indianapolis, and I grew up visiting his office, surrounded by drafting tables and design work. Looking back, that probably had a big influence on me, but I wasn’t conscious of it at the time.
You have been with Perkins&Will for 11+ years, tell us a little bit about your journey from Interior Designer to Associate Principal? How has your role changed within the company?
My career has grown tremendously here. I started at Perkins&Will as an Interior Designer III with experience in healthcare interiors but not on large healthcare projects. That changed when I had the opportunity to work on large-scale healthcare projects like OU Medical Center. OU, in particular, was a turning point for me, marking my transition from Interior Designer III into a leadership role. I worked with senior leadership, helping with inpatient space planning, and I’ll never forget walking into the first Design Development meeting when the studio’s managing director and director of interiors told me, “You’re going to lead this.” Their faith in me opened countless doors, allowing me to learn, grow, and build my own confidence.
At OU, I handled extensive coordination with consultants and spent a lot of time in front of the client. The principals’ trust in me taught me how to build that same trust with clients, becoming the person they feel comfortable calling for help or to talk through any issues. I loved it, and that put me on the project management path. I had been promoted to technical coordinator but quickly requested a switch to project management to gain more facetime with clients.
From there, I advanced to Associate, then Senior Associate, and now Associate Principal. Attending the Leadership Institute with Perkins&Will was a pivotal experience, giving me the opportunity to learn from other leaders across the firm. A big part of this transition into leadership has also been visibility—taking on speaking engagements, writing articles, and pushing myself to be more vocal and present. It’s about excelling in my role, continuing client relationships, and also stepping forward externally to take ownership of my expertise and establish myself as a thought leader in the industry.
What does your day to day look like within your current role?
My day-to-day changes depending on where projects are in their timelines, and there’s always a lot to balance. I touch many projects at a higher level, but sometimes I dig deep into detailing or space planning. Some days are focused on project management tasks like invoicing, while others involve calls with contractors or clients for projects in mid-construction or planning stages. There are also Requests for Proposals (RFPs), internal team meetings, and, at a leadership level, staff meetings where I project three months ahead to ensure the healthcare interiors team is neither overloaded nor underutilized.
Mentoring is another important part of my role and one of my favorite aspects—I love teaching younger designers. So, in short, there’s no typical day, and I see that as a perk. My work is always changing, the industry is always changing, and that constant change is exciting.
Renown Health Pediatric Unit | Photography Credit: Garrett Rowland
You have done some incredible work on the Renown Health Pediatric Unit, offering the children who are patients at these facilities, an escape from their treatment through imaginative design. Can you tell us a little bit about how you approach this work?
The Renown Health PICU/NICU is a truly special project. Across all their facilities, Renown Health celebrates the healing power of art, giving our team the freedom to be highly creative. Our goal was to design an immersive healing environment that departs from the traditional, often intimidating clinical look. Being in a hospital is stressful, especially for young patients who may not fully understand what’s happening. We believe these spaces not only can but should support both top-tier medical care and emotional well-being at the same time.
This facility is in Reno, Nevada, and the design concept draws inspiration from the surrounding context—Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains—along with local animals that kids might recognize. Our goal was to "bring the outside in," creating a calming atmosphere with cheerful murals and thoughtful uses of color and light. We explored different ways to provide positive distractions, incorporating features like a reading nook, an interactive shadow puppet niche, and "seek and find" art—elements that make the space more engaging without making it more difficult to maintain. The design process focused a lot on threading the needle: creating a space that is vibrant but not overwhelming, and child-friendly without feeling childish.
Renown Health Pediatric Unit | Photography Credit: Garrett Rowland
“Our goal was to “bring the outside in,” creating a calming atmosphere with cheerful murals and thoughtful uses of color and light. We explored different ways to provide positive distractions, incorporating features like a reading nook, an interactive shadow puppet niche, and “seek and find” art—elements that make the space more engaging without making it more difficult to maintain. The design process focused a lot on threading the needle: creating a space that is vibrant but not overwhelming, and child-friendly without feeling childish.”
What are some of the most important factors when designing a healthcare space? How do you ensure that you are addressing the various specific needs of both patients and families?
Healthcare has strict codes and high standards, so every project begins with a foundation of functionality. Function dictates the layout and other core elements, and from there, we layer in the design. Practicality always comes first. This involves researching the chemicals in the products we use, prioritizing infection prevention and cleanability, and eliminating nooks and niches where bacteria could grow. It also means future-proofing spaces by designing for adaptability as technology changes.
User experience is another critical factor—we consider different heights, vantage points, and mobility needs. In pediatric spaces, safety is especially relevant, so we incorporate keycard access and other security measures. Maximizing natural light is also a priority. With so many factors to consider, evidence-based design serves as our guide, ensuring that every decision supports both physical and emotional health.
Renown Health Pediatric Unit | Photography Credit: Garrett Rowland
Hospitals have a higher degree of practicality needs than any other space, how do you ensure that the spaces you are designing meet all the needs of a traditional hospital setting while making the experience less stressful and emotional for the patients?
Evidence-based design helps us ensure we’re creating environments that support the best outcomes. We follow the latest research, consult our firm’s internal network of experts, and connect with industry counterparts to explore innovative products and techniques.
Several strategies help us support emotional well-being. Clear wayfinding is one example—we incorporate memorable visual “destinations” that make it easier to navigate, whether finding a help desk or returning to a patient room. When this guidance is so clear it feels intuitive, stress levels decrease for everyone. Familiarity also plays a key role in emotional comfort. A design inspired by local elements, such as recognizable animals, creates a sense of place while remaining welcoming to all.
Spaces like play therapy and music rooms are also great ways to uplift children, giving them a little variety and a chance to make friends. Even small touches of customizability can go a long way—something as simple as letting a child choose the theme of the signage outside their door can provide a sense of control. Playfulness is a powerful stress reliever, whether through art that engages the imagination or creative lighting that transforms a hospital room into a night under the stars, all of these choices support emotional health.
How do you approach each project that you work on? What is your creative process?
At a large firm like Perkins&Will, projects are a team effort, requiring a balance of multiple individual creative processes. The first step is finding a concept. To do that, we learn everything we can about the project’s region, local community, and the client’s needs. With Renown, for example, the team spent time early in the process driving along the Truckee River route between Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake, getting a feel for the landscape. Then, with those sources of inspiration, we develop the idea and present it to the client. Once we have client buy-in, we fold the concept into the functional requirements for a final design.
As a project manager, my creativity applies to projects in a slightly different way. While I provide input on designs as they progress, I’m not as deeply involved in the details as I used to be. Instead, my work is often more about bringing the right mix of creative minds and processes together.
University of Oklahoma Medical Center Expansion | Photography Credit: James Steinkemp
What resources do you continuously utilize in your day to day work?
We’re constantly referencing codes and staying up to date with the latest in evidence-based design. Several healthcare design websites allow me to quickly access the most current innovations in specific spaces, like Neuro Operating Rooms for example.
Internally, our Center of Excellence is a rich resource, connecting us with subject matter experts across the country who we can chat with for insights and guidance. And of course, I rely on essential software tools—Bluebeam for collaboration, Excel for project management, and others.
“Spaces like play therapy and music rooms are also great ways to uplift children, giving them a little variety and a chance to make friends. Even small touches of customizability can go a long way—something as simple as letting a child choose the theme of the signage outside their door can provide a sense of control. Playfulness is a powerful stress reliever, whether through art that engages the imagination or creative lighting that transforms a hospital room into a night under the stars, all of these choices support emotional health. ”
How has motherhood shaped your career? Tell us a little bit about if it has changed your outlook as a designer and if so, how?
The biggest change is the shifting work/life balance. I’ve had to learn how to compartmentalize and be present at work then switch to my parental role and vice versa. As I’ve grown in my career I’ve gained a bit more flexibility, so it’s easier to make choices that support both sides of the equation, like working from home when my son’s sick. I am fortunate to have a wonderful mentor, who is also a mother and understands the balancing act.
Women shouldn’t face career limitations due to motherhood—just as men don’t—and I’m grateful that becoming a mom hasn’t hindered my growth or opportunities. In fact, motherhood has brought clarity, helping me be more intentional about the opportunities I pursue. This is especially true with industry events. Balancing a full-time career and motherhood, I focus on activities that align with my values and passions rather than trying to attend everything. Motherhood has also made me a more empathetic leader, offering a broader perspective on life. I’ve found that many things that once bothered me no longer do. I’m more compassionate with mentees, more patient, and more attuned to the bigger picture.
As a healthcare interiors designer, becoming a mom has given me a clearer perspective on projects from the patient side. It has expanded my thought process, especially in early space planning. When my son was young, he underwent multiple procedures that required overnight hospital stays. That experience gave me valuable insight into the patient and family journey—what worked, what didn’t, and what I wished had been available. One example is the flow for parents when clinicians escort a child to surgery and guide them to the waiting space. Those touchpoints can make or break the experience for a parent.
University of Oklahoma Medical Center Expansion | Photography Credit: Peter Molina
As a new mom, I always ask this question of fellow moms - how do you ensure that you are giving your best to both your work and your family? What is a piece of advice you would have for other working moms?
My best advice is to stay present and connected to what’s in front of you. When you’re at work, focus on work; when you’re with family, focus on family. Of course, there are moments when the lines blur—if your child is sick or hurt, family takes priority—but separating the two as much as possible is key. A stressful day at work shouldn’t carry over into time with your child, just as a chaotic morning at home shouldn’t be brought into the office.
There’s also a third part of the balancing act: making time for yourself. Being the best version of yourself makes everything else easier. For me, that means prioritizing workouts for my mental health, setting aside devotional time, and maintaining friendships. It gets a little easier as kids grow and understand that sometimes you need to send a time-sensitive email to a client, and they can entertain themselves for a bit. My son knows I love what I do, that it supports us financially, and that openness also helps.
When I was a new mom, I was lucky to have a boss with three kids who understood the balancing act and eased my transition back to work. I’m so grateful for that, and at the time, I didn’t even realize how much I needed it. That’s another piece of advice: let other people help you. Learn to recognize when you need help, ask for it, and accept it. At the end of the day, sometimes we succeed, and sometimes we fail. It’s important to find joy in the success and in the hard times, too.
What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
Be more confident. Trust yourself. I’m so grateful for the leaders and mentors who recognized my potential before I did and gave me the push I needed.
I’d also tell myself to establish work-life balance before having kids. I put in a lot of overtime early in my career while I was trying to grow my career, and I wasn’t upset about it then, but having those boundaries in place earlier would have made the transition to motherhood smoother.