Nick Milkovich was born and educated in Vancouver. After graduating from UBC in 1968, he joined the firm of Erickson/Massey. He continued to work for Arthur Erickson Architects from its origins in 1972, becoming an Associate in 1979 and Director of Design in 1987. While heading the firm’s custom private residential work, Nick was also a member of the design team for the award-winning Museum of Anthropology at UBC and the Law Courts in downtown Vancouver.

Nick established Nick Milkovich Architects in 1991. Since its inception, the firm has created a broad portfolio including large planning and urban design projects, large-scale public buildings, small- and medium-scale residential developments, and single-family residences, in North America and Asia. The firm has been recognized with AIBC Awards for Excellence for the Waterfall Building and Creekside Community Centre in Vancouver, and the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, as well as the Premier’s Award of Excellence in Architecture for the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan. Most recent work includes civic and cultural projects including šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza), Robson Square plaza, and the Museum of Anthropology seismic and envelope upgrades.

Nick was elevated to fellowship of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 1997. In 2020, Nick was awarded the 2020 AIBC Lifetime Achievement award.

Nick actively contributed to student education through the RAIC Syllabus Program as a mentor from 1980-1987 and as the BC Studio Coordinator from 1987-2002. He was a thesis advisor and studio mentor at SALA UBC and gave talks to students in the architecture program at BCIT. His office was always welcoming to students and he frequently mentored architecture interns towards registration. Nick contributed to the profession as a member of the AIBC Design Panel Committee from 1992-2014 and volunteered time to the Urban Design Review Panel in West Vancouver. He also was a member of the West Vancouver Museum Advisory Committee.