Edward H. Wikoff Architects, AIA, PC

Partner Spotlight, September 2023

Ed and Nora Wikoff have been active members of our community since 1997. In 2007 they created Edward H. Wikoff Architects to help rebuild Hancock County better than ever after Katrina. The primary goal of their business is to build an ever-growing community that their children are proud to call home.
 
- By Kirby Rhodes

Ann Madden | Ann Madden Photography

 Nora and Ed Wikoff met in 1986 while working together on various projects in Washington, DC. By trade, Ed is an architect, and Nora is an interior designer — making them the perfect complement to each other. After dating for two years, the couple married and started a family. 

It wasn’t long before they decided a change was in order. A move to New Orleans brought them closer to Nora’s parents and much-needed help with their growing family. After the birth of their third child, Ed and Nora moved from their little Uptown shotgun house in the city to a larger home on Nicholson Avenue in Waveland. Once settled in Waveland, the family welcomed two more children, and Ed and Nora felt their family was complete.
 

Ann Madden | Ann Madden Photography

 
Katrina ripped their small community apart in 2005 and caused the Wikoff family to relocate to Mobile temporarily. However, they came back stronger than ever to help in the recovery efforts. As designers and problem solvers, Ed and Nora got busy rebuilding Waveland and Bay St. Louis. Ed said, “We assisted St. Stanislaus, Our Lady Academy, Our Lady of the Gulf Church, the city and county, and countless homeowners rebuild. Our goal was to help everyone get back to normal and come back even better than before.”
 

 
While Nora and Ed have worked together since 1993, Edward H. Wikoff Architects officially came into being in 2007. With their children at Holy Trinity, OLA, and SSC, the office at 144 Main Street was like a second home for the family. It was a place to start homework while being close to mom and dad. Nora and Ed loved having their children close by and involved with the family business.
 
Ed and Nora opened their doors on many Second Saturdays to neighbors, friends, and others wanting to see what was on the boards and ask questions about rebuilding Hancock County. This power couple also spent copious hours serving the Hancock Chamber, Mississippi Main Street Foundation, Keep Waveland Beautiful, Historic Preservation Society, Rotary, and Boy Scouts. Not only did all these extracurriculars keep them busy, but they also resulted in both being nominated for Hancock Citizen of the Year.
 

St. Stanislaus dining hall

 
Today, their five children have grown up, and the business has a well-earned reputation for high standards, timely response, and exemplary professional services. “We listen to the needs and wants of the client and then use our expertise to turn their vision into a reality,” said Nora, “It’s very satisfying to know we met or even exceeded the client’s expectations.”
 
After years of raising their children and building a business from the ground up, the couple finds themselves in the enviable position of shifting their priorities, focusing on special projects, and spending time together. Exploring the world is high on their list of priorities, and they enjoy planning at least one annual extended getaway to some far-flung destination.
 

 
With most of their employees working from home, Ed and Nora are considering downsizing their office space. But no worries, they will continue to provide the help and guidance that many require as the Bay continues to recover and grow. They intend to do everything they can to ensure that their work will represent a change for the better. After all, they hope, like many, that their five children will return to be an integral part of the future of “The Bay.”
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