Her Story
About Nicole
Nicole Hollant-Denis, FAIA, NOMA, NCARB, is an award-winning licensed architect and President and Owner of AARIS Design Architects, PLLC, a New York-based architecture practice. With more than three decades of experience in architecture and design, she has led the development of a diverse range of projects and building types. Her notable work includes the African Burial Ground National Monument, improvements associated with the JFK International Airport AirTrain and Sutphin Boulevard LIRR connection, the Haiti:House for Life, and her firm's role as Associate Architect on the Columbia Business School project at Columbia University's Manhattanville campus. She has led AARIS Design Architects since 2001 and has served as President since 2014.
Hollant-Denis earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University in 1989 and her Master in Design Studies in Real Estate Development and Design from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design in 2000. She became a registered architect in New York in 1996 and holds the professional designations FAIA, NOMA, and NCARB. She has been elevated to the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows and has received recognition including the Phenomenal Women Community Award and a Women Builders Council Award. Her professional interests include architectural design, real estate development, project management, inclusive design, and advancing greater diversity within the architecture profession.
Beyond her architectural practice, Hollant-Denis has demonstrated a sustained commitment to mentorship, professional inclusion, and community engagement. Through her involvement with NYCOBA/NOMA and the Center for Architecture, she has supported Project Pipeline initiatives designed to introduce younger students to architecture and expand pathways into the profession. AARIS Design Architects has also hosted college and high school interns, providing practical exposure to tools such as Rhino and Revit. Her professional and community work reflects a commitment to design excellence, mentorship, representation, sustainability, and creating environments in which people feel that they matter, belong, and are seen.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicole
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, strong relationships, community connection, intentional leadership, and a willingness to continually evolve. My career has been shaped by the professional relationships and communities I have developed throughout more than three decades in architecture, as well as by the example of my family and the importance they placed on community involvement and service. I also recognize the importance of understanding the business side of architecture and surrounding myself with professionals whose strengths complement my own.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is the importance of understanding both the design and business sides of architecture. If you are starting a small architecture practice, I would encourage you to consider partnering with someone who has strong business-management expertise rather than simply partnering with another designer or architect. Be very clear about the design and management roles and make sure your business partner is genuinely engaged in managing and growing the practice. I also encourage students to build relationships with people pursuing other degrees and disciplines while they are still in school, because those relationships can become valuable professional partnerships throughout their careers.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering architecture to build strong relationships, understand the business side of the profession, and be intentional about the people they surround themselves with. If you aspire to own a firm, seek out partners and professionals whose skills complement your own, particularly in areas such as business management. Clearly define responsibilities between design and management, and cultivate relationships with people in other disciplines while you are still in school. Those connections can become important throughout your career. I would also encourage the next generation to remain open to growth and change while staying connected to their communities and the values that guide them.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe one of the most important challenges is how we understand and relate to one another. Particularly following the George Floyd incident and the broader period of reflection during the pandemic, we had to pause and take a closer look at one another and consider why we struggle to get along. I believe that remains an important issue, both within our profession and globally.
Climate change is another major challenge because it is a reality that the architecture and design professions must address. At the same time, artificial intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities. I see an opportunity to better understand how we can manage and incorporate AI while ensuring that we do not lose the human qualities that make our work meaningful.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value family, community, cultural understanding, sustainability, integrity, and meaningful impact. I believe architecture has the ability to connect communities and tell important stories. I am particularly proud of projects that allow me to bridge my community background with larger institutions and opportunities. My family and community have played an important role in shaping my values, and I strive to carry those principles into both my professional work and personal life.
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