Facility Planning

Having directed the master planning effort required by the New Jersey Department of Education to comply with the School Facilities mandate of the Abbott V decision, James Nichols’ has dedicated much of his subsequent career to planning and programming major facilities projects for public and private schools throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, including educational program development, enrollment projections and demographic analyses, and writing educational specifications.

He has learned that the rigorous effort to work closely with the client to define the project goals is the best way to ensure the success of any project type. An effective planning process requires clear communication between client and architect, a robust analysis of current needs and the foresight to anticipate future requirements.

James Nichols is convinced that the importance of planning and programming, the critical first phase of any project, is too often overlooked. Architects often assume it is the client’s responsibility to know what they need, and the clients may think it is the architect’s job - resulting in a lost opportunity to ensure the best possible use of financial and environmental resources. James Nichols commitment to a thorough planning process helps to realize projects with the highest possible value for his clients.