Staff Spotlight: Jerry Nix

1. Where did you grow up?

I have lived my whole life on the northeast side of Fort Wayne. I currently live within about five miles of where I grew up. I still shop at the same grocery store my parents shopped at when I was young.

2. Why did you get into architecture?

My parents built a house when I was in the 6th grade and they let my brother, sister, and I be a part of the design process. Long after my brother and sister left the table, I would sit there listening to my parents and the designer talk about the spatial flow of the house, building materials, and how to place the house on the site to save trees. From that point on, I knew I wanted to be an architect.

3. Where do you go when you’re looking for inspiration?

I enjoy reading case studies and white papers that look at the challenges of our rapidly changing healthcare system. Understanding how the industry is evolving helps make me a better designer for our clients.​​

4. How do you recharge during your free time?

I love being outside! There is no better way to relax than being outside tending to my flower pots or hooking a small mouth bass or crappie from my kayak. During the spring, I install a portable greenhouse on my deck and grow many of the annual plants I will place in my yard and planters.

5. Which projects are you most proud to have been a part of?

In the past thirty years of my career, I have had an opportunity to work on many impactful projects. I am most proud of the Dupont Hospital Third Floor NICU, Lutheran Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department, and the William K. Nasser Simulation and Education Center for St. Vincent Hospital. Each of these projects provided an opportunity for me to add a research and learning component into the design process. They were great portfolio projects for MKM and allowed me to grow as an architect.

6. What are you passionate about right now?

As a principal at MKM, I wear many hats. However, I am most passionate about working with and teaching our young staff about the profession. I enjoy being part of their learning process and seeing them excel at understanding healthcare design and healthcare construction documents. Passing my knowledge and experiences on to them helps our firm and our staff to grow. I am all about finding ways for our staff to reach their personal and professional goals.

7. What’s your favorite place to visit?

My family and I enjoy vacations that include time spent exploring National Parks. I am always amazed how mother nature has the ability to sculpt and form our landscape. It reminds me how powerful yet vulnerable our environment is and our duty to help protect that both personally and professionally.

Fun fact:

I love to bake. During the holidays, I am in charge of making the cookies and the desserts.

Jerry, an MKM Principal, came to the firm thirty years ago. He specializes in healthcare facility design and planning, leading the firm’s design team on many of our most complex projects. He received his Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from Ball State University, College of Architecture and Planning.