Nisha Mary Prasad, AIA shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Nisha Mary, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Community isn’t something built overnight—it’s shaped little by little, brick by brick, through the time and energy we give to others. On a recent trip back to New York, I was having dinner with two friends when one asked, “How did you adjust to life in such a small town after growing up here?” Before I could answer, the other jumped in and said, “It doesn’t matter where Nish lives—she builds community wherever she lands.” I took that as the highest compliment.
Designing inclusive, thoughtful, and purposeful spaces is my profession, but building community is my passion. Sometimes that looks like serving food at my partner Jordan’s pop-up restaurant, Native Root. Other times, it’s teaching part-time at the college or volunteering around the city. For me, all of these little acts are threads of connection—and weaving them together is where I find real purpose.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nisha Mary Prasad, and I’m an architect and interior designer with roots in Bayside, Queens, NY. Nine years ago, I made Winston-Salem my home, and since then I’ve been fortunate to design across residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. Alongside my practice, I’m a part-time professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where mentoring the next generation of designers has become one of my greatest joys.
I like to think of my work as creating architecture that smiles back at you—spaces that feel alive, empathetic, and deeply human. Purposeful design begins with listening, and I carry that into every project. My hope is that when people walk into a space I’ve designed, they feel seen, welcomed, and inspired.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother saw me long before I ever saw myself. It wasn’t until after she passed that I realized I was a reflection of the parts of her she never had the freedom to fully embrace. Before raising five children, she was a free spirit—an adventurer who built community wherever she went. She was fiercely intelligent, deeply empathetic, and unshakably resilient.
Growing up, she was often critical of me, and only later did I understand why: she saw me as an extension of herself. She knew I was meant to make the world better, but I think she also feared I might fly too far away. More than anything, she wanted me to be happy, strong, and fierce, but also kind—and to use my gifts to lift others up. She saw my potential not just to succeed, but to make the people around me better.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say anything to little Nisha, it would be this: losing is simply part of living. You’ll lose people to death, to distance, to business, even to the mysteries of life—and that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Loss isn’t failure, and even when you do fail, that’s okay too. Failure and loss create space for humility, for presence, and for growth.
But here’s what you must remember: sometimes, people will deserve to lose you. Your heart is pure, your kindness limitless, and your strength undeniable—but not everyone will honor that. Some will take advantage, whether in life, love, or business. And that’s when you need to know when to walk away. It’s okay to be the villain in someone else’s story—that’s simply how the cookie crumbles.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I am unapologetically myself, through and through. The way I show up for clients, contractors, and community members is the same way I show up for my family and friends. I have no time for pretentiousness, snobbery, or emotional immaturity—life is too short, and I’ve been through too much to be anything less than authentic.
Growing up, there were clear expectations of what a “proper Indian-American woman” should be: reserved, refined, and always ready. We were taught to show excellence, not emotion. But I realized early on that if it’s excellence you’re after, you can go meet the other four Prasad children. What I bring to the table is something different—I am deeply, unapologetically human.
I say what I mean and I mean what I say. I don’t fake kindness, I live it—but I’m also unafraid to be fierce. As an architect, I notice the details—the beauty in spaces, the intricacies in people—and I honor them. Feeling deeply, appreciating fully, and recognizing those details is at the heart of who I am, both publicly and privately. And that’s why people trust me—not just with their projects, but with themselves.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This past semester, a few graduates surprised me with goodbye cards—a first in nearly 13 years of teaching. Each note carried a similar message: gratitude not only for the mentorship, but for the fact that I showed up as myself and created a safe space to learn. A space where they felt seen, heard, and free to be themselves.
I was deeply proud of that. Proud to know I had fostered an environment where they could collaborate, communicate, and design purposeful spaces—without ever having to hide who they were. If I could hope my legacy is anything, it would be just that: Nisha held space for me to be myself and to be accepted.
“Inclusivity” has become such a buzzword, often tossed around but rarely practiced. For me, it’s simple. I just hope that when people think of me, they’ll say, “Nisha was really nice to be around.” Honestly, I think that’s enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designwithfriend.com
- Instagram: designwithfriend
Image Credits
Austin Joffe, Stephanie Berbec, Lauren Dubinsky
