Sikes Design operates as a detailer's detailer.

Nathan's path into building science began at the University of Washington, followed by two years as an intern and drafter under Paul Lukes at Building Envelope Consulting Services. He spent the following years as a Building Science Technologist at RDH Building Sciences, then moved into building envelope work at Intracorp Real Estate across projects including Domain, Avenue One, Park, Element, Waterstone, Blakely Condominiums, Expo 62, and Talus Village Center. He later consulted for Allana Buick & Bers (ABB) in Seattle, and spent several years representing Cascadia Windows, specializing in high-performance and Passive House-level fenestration and window-to-wall interface detailing for architects across the country.

In July 2008, he founded and still manages the Building Science Community, a LinkedIn network of over 10,000 building envelope, waterproofing, roofing, and window professionals. He has served on the board of Passive House Northwest since May 2023.

Today he leads Sikes Design, an independent building enclosure consulting practice serving architects, developers, and property managers throughout the Pacific Northwest and California -- with a focus on early enclosure strategy, Passive House and mass timber detailing, retrofit work, and window-to-wall interface design, from concept through construction.