Projects

  • The Lodge on Lake Detroit

    Detroit Lakes, MN

    Luxury + Bespoke Hospitality

    Richards Burns Associates

  • Pro Bono

    Hope Reins

    Durham, NC

    Cultural + Transformative

    Dakota Architecture

  • Retail

    Vanity Stores

    Nationwide

    Retail + Specialty Branding

    Richard Burns Associates

  • Residential

    Residential

    Various Locations, North Carolina

    Custom Living + ADU Solutions

    Dakota Architecture

The GP - The Grandparents ADU

The GP — The GrandParents

A 526 square foot accessory dwelling unit for a Raleigh family choosing to stay close. Every decision — the angle of the roof, the shelf above the entry, the light in the bathroom, the air at the ceiling — was made with the people who will live here in mind.

Small in area. Complete in care.

ADU · Raleigh, NC · In Construction, 2025 Documentation: 32 drawing sheets.

Projects

20s

International Competition -Pending

Another Nelson -Pending

The GP ADU -Raleigh, NC

Azalea Skies -Lighting Study -Raleigh, NC

Ernesto ADU -Raleigh, NC

Shop Talk -Garage Study-Raleigh, NC

Hill Haus -Private Residence -Rocky Mountain, NC -Pending

East Main + East Redux -ADU Addition -Durham, NC

Hope Reins Welcome Center -Pro Bono Programming

+ Schematic Design -Raleigh | Durham, NC

Hope Expands: Hope Reins Schematic Enlargement -Raleigh | Durham, NC

Harvest Church Classroom Study -Raleigh, NC

Raleigh Fast Track ADU Competition (Winner) -City of Raleigh, NC

10s

Various Design Assist + Consulting on Projects Across the USA

-Umicore Building Products -Raleigh, NC

Bredow Remodel + Addition -Raleigh, NC

80s + 90s

The Lodge On Lake Detroitº -Detroit Lakes, MN

200+ Vanity Retail Storesº -USA

Buffalo Wild Wingsº -Fargo, ND

Taco Johnsº -Fargo, ND

Car Wash to Office Conversionº -Fargo, ND

Cass County Jailºº -Fargo, ND

Dormitory Remodelºº -Grand Forks, ND

Indoor Hockey + Ice Rinkººº -Grand Forks, ND (Not Built)

New Flyer Bus Plant Additionººº -Crookston, MN

Falls City Foot Bridgeºººº -Falls City, OR

Warehouse + Parking Lot -Sasebo, Japanºººº

William’s Residenceººººº -Carpenter’s Assistant -Portland, OR

ºRichard Burns Associates -Project Architect

ººFoss Associates -Intern

ºººWidseth Smith + Nolting -Intern

ººººU.S. Navy Construction Battalion

ºººººRobert H. Oshatz, Architect

Client Focus

About

Dan Nicely is a licensed architect and former Managing Director of US Operations for a global luxury materials brand. He brings three decades of experience collaborating with some of the world’s leading architects on landmark projects.  

Dakota offers strategic architectural and materials advisory—alongside a select number of commercial and residential design engagements.  Believing that great design should be accessible to those making a difference, Dakota provides pro bono services for a limited number of mission-driven organizations each year.

The dakota name is a tip of the hat to origin stories and to the Dakotas -where ruggedness meets refinement.

Services

Architecture

Consulting

Locations

North Carolina

+ Beyond

Recognition

Raleigh Fast Track ADU Competition