Nicholas Williams, AIA

Nick Williams is the Principal and Director of Ashley McGraw DC. He previously worked for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) as Director of Facility Planning and Design, overseeing the design and construction of the District’s major school renovation and new construction initiatives, including net-zero energy schools. In this role, he was also responsible for the development of DCPS’ annual Capital Improvement Plan, reflecting the district’s long-range facility planning.

In 2022, Williams joined Ashley McGraw DC. Working on the owner side was a significant change in perspective from the designer’s lens and opened Williams’ eyes on a day-to-day basis around how design decisions can impact the end user’s experience in both positive and negative ways; architecture can either create or solve operational challenges. He’s looking forward to bringing a truly owner-focused approach to the process with you to ensure that your project enhance your day-to-day experience in the long term.

Williams is a Registered Architect in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

Thought Leadership

• “Data Driven Approaches to STEAM Design: A District’s Path to Engaging All Learners,” A4LE (Association for Learning Environments) LearningSCAPES Conference, Chicago, IL, 2023

• “Breaking Down the Walls to the 21st Century: A Holistic Approach to Progressive Facilities,” A4LE (Association for Learning Environments) Northeast Regional Conference, Philadelphia, PA, 2023

• “Sustainable Public Spaces: Mass Timber, Net-Zero Energy & Facade Strategies,” Facades+ Conference, Washington, DC, 2023

• “Learning in the Great Outdoors: Lessons from an Urban Campus,” A4LE Northeast Region Conference, Washington, DC, 2022

• “A Product and Process for All: DC’s School Modernization Program,” EdSpaces, Pittsburgh, PA, 2021

• “Say What? How Enhanced Acoustics Impact Learning,” EdSpaces, Virtual, 2020

• “How We Design and Build to Maximize the Learning Experience,” DC Charter Conference, Washington, DC, 2019