Reflections on her first year at WDM Architects
1. You better like who you work with.
Luckily I really do! When I moved to Wichita, I didn’t know a single person. WDM quickly became more than just coworkers – they’ve become the people I laugh with, learn from, and lean on. I really lucked out!
2. Ask the question, even if it feels “dumb.”
At WDM, there’s no such thing as a dumb question – just a missed opportunity to learn. It feels great to work in a place where asking “why” is encouraged.
3. Confidence isn’t loud.
I used to think confidence meant always having the right answer, speaking the loudest in the room, or leading the charge. But this year has shown me it’s about listening, being prepared, and showing up with curiosity! WDM has given me the room to grow by letting me speak in meetings, sit in on interviews, and contribute to real decisions. Bit by bit, I’ve started to believe in myself – no volume needed.
4. Feedback isn’t failure.
Redlines aren’t a sign you messed up. Guess what? Even seasoned architects get them. It’s all part of the process.
5. Design is never just design.
Behind every design are constraints — budgets, timelines, clients, and people. I’ve learned that good architecture isn’t just beautiful; it’s thoughtful, realistic, and responsive.
6. Don’t forget to have fun!
Deadlines are real, stress happens, but so does laughter. This year, I learned that even in a serious profession, there is always room for fun! For Halloween, I committed to a full transformation: Young Stan – long ponytail, beard, and all. It was hilarious and completely welcomed. The fact that my boss let me (and even laughed with me) says a lot about this place. We work hard, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. And honestly? That makes all the difference.
Stan Landwehr telling Nikki she could never be a believable “Young Stan” because she’s too short! Nikki smiles with her Halloween jack-o-lantern of her favorite animal: a raccoon.
7. Flint Hills Dental … Just Flint Hills Dental.
My first project I saw in construction from start to finish. It is hard for me to put in words how much this project has meant to me! I met amazing people and learned so much! It’s a reminder what architecture is all about!
WDM staff at Flint Hills Dental’s groundbreaking. From left, Luke Scott, Tiffany Todd, Dr. Aaron Huslig, Nikki Wilken, Angi Womeldorff, Greg Quigley of Basis Consulting Engineers and W.L. Shafer of Accel Construction.
8. Sometimes you need to step away from the screen to solve the problem.
Work can be frustrating. Revit crashes, deadlines don’t stop, and nothing is working the way it should. So I’ve learned to step away, take a walk, grab a muffin and coffee and somewhere between caffeine and carbs – your problems feel less like problems. Turns out, breaks are part of the process too.
9. Never attend site visits in cute shoes.
Lesson learned: function over fashion…
10. Architecture is all about the details.
This year, I’ve started to see the magic in the details. Where paint ends, how materials meet, or how a detail makes a space feel finished. These aren’t just technical decisions – they’re what makes a building feel intentional, thoughtful, and lived-in. The details are where the design really lives.
11. Good mentors change everything.
Everyone at WDM has been generous with their time and support. They’ve been patient, honest and trusting. Luke, Stan and Angi have been nothing short of incredible. They throw me into the deep end and cheer me on from the edge. It means a lot to be trusted so early in my career, to feel seen and capable.
WDM principals Luke Scott and Stan Landwehr attend a Kansas Historic Theaters Association meeting and bring along interns Jakob Byrne and Nikki Wilken
12. I’m still learning – and that’s the point.
Turns out, I really like my job. I’m semi-permanently hunched over – but happy. Yes, some days are hard, but everyday is a chance to get better. In school, I really struggled to see the purpose behind all the stress and late nights. Now, I see it clearly: real problems, real places, real people. I don’t have all the answers and have so much to learn, but I know I’m in the right place with the right people.
Nikki Wilken, Architectural Designer
