David Manfredi works with clients across the country on a diverse portfolio of planning and design projects. Deeply committed to the belief that the quality of our environment directly influences the quality of our lives, he effectively advocates for building and protecting vital, sustainable, durable urban places. At every scale, in every context, David’s mission is to create common ground that brings people and communities together. He reinvents tired urban precincts into 21st-century mixed-use environments, the edges of universities from barriers into connective seams with adjacent neighborhoods, underutilized urban areas into diverse innovation districts that support the collaborative imperatives of today’s science and technology, and obsolete manufacturing buildings into repurposed hubs of living and working that reinvigorate the urban core. From The Grove in Los Angeles, to Boston’s revitalized Fenway neighborhood, to New Balance’s health and performance district at Boston Landing, and The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, David’s projects are inventive, inclusive and sustainable. A compelling, sought-after speaker and thought-leader and one of Boston Magazine’s Most Influential People in 2018, David presents to business, civic, and professional organizations throughout the country about the value that mindful design brings to the quality of everyday life.

David is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and an active member of the Boston Preservation Alliance, International Council of Shopping Centers, NAIOP, and Urban Land Institute (ULI). He serves on the Boston Civic Design Commission, Northeastern University School of Architecture Advisory Council, the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture Advisory Council, and the ULI Boston Advisory Board. David is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with Bachelor degrees in both English and Architecture, and the University of Chicago, where he received a Master of Arts.

Elizabeth Lowrey is a designer, industry leader, and mentor. A principal of Elkus Manfredi Architects, she has been responsible for Elkus Manfredi’s interior architecture practice since the firm’s founding. In addition, her role in mentoring the next generation of industry professionals, active involvement with charitable organizations, and participation in national review panels has garnered Elizabeth respect and recognition from colleagues and peers.

Elizabeth’s projects range from corporate, hospitality, and retail/entertainment, to residential, life science, and higher education environments with clients ranging from Walt Disney Imagineering, Publicis Groupe, Texas Medical Center, and Boston Consulting Group, to the University of Michigan, New Balance, and Harvard University.

Interior Design magazine included Elizabeth on a list of “20 Inspiring Women who Make Up the New Face of the Design Industry.” For the sixth consecutive year, Boston Magazine named Elizabeth among the 150 Most Influential Bostonians, writing, “…as companies reimagine workspaces, there is perhaps no one more sought after. Sophisticated, savvy, and creative, her approach will no doubt shape the look of our city in the future.” Boutique Design magazine named Elizabeth a “maverick” and “silo buster” for her industry-crossing approach to design diversity, and she is widely recognized as a pioneer for her approach to workplace strategy and design, creating office environments that enhance organizational performance and strengthen firm culture. Since the pandemic changed the way we work, Elizabeth has partnered closely with companies in a wide variety of industries to evaluate their existing workplaces and re-invent them for the hybrid world of remote/onsite working.

Elizabeth delivered the 2019 Commencement Address at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and is a frequent speaker at design and architecture forums. She has been a guest columnist for Fast Company, Commercial Observer, Work Design Magazine, and Banker & Tradesman, and has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Metropolis.

In recognition of her industry leadership and her contributions to the real estate industry, Elizabeth was inducted into the College of Fellows by the International Interior Design Association, awarded the CoreNet Service Provider Leadership Award, the Suzanne King Public Service Award from CREW Boston, and the Real Estate Finance Association’s (REFA) Annual Distinguished Service Award. She is also a 2024 Executive Fellow of the Civic Action Project (CAP) Collaborative program and was selected for the U.S. General Services Administration’s National Registry of Peer Professionals to provide guidance for the GSA’s Design Excellence, Construction Excellence, and Art in Architecture programs.

Elizabeth currently serves on the foundation Board of Directors of Massachusetts College of Art and Design and is a member of the Board for Heading Home and Boston’s REFA. She previously served on Auburn University’s Interior Architecture Advisory Council and the Design Museum Foundation.

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Interior Architecture from Auburn University and an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

John H. Martin is an architect, industry leader and mentor. His involvement with the design direction and intent on projects, his shared stewardship of the firm and his role in mentoring the next generation of industry professionals has garnered John respect and recognition from colleagues and peers.

As a Principal at Elkus Manfredi Architects, John works at the forefront of design for science & technology and higher education projects across the country. Focused on high performance and sustainable design, his work is informed by a combination of technical precision, appreciation of context, and broad understanding of real estate issues. He emphasizes a holistic approach that synthesizes his training in both architecture and engineering.

A member of the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows, John was an early adopter of LEED and sustainable building practices and is recognized for advancing the profession towards user-focused, environmentally responsible and socially just architecture.

John builds and facilitates strong design teams with experience, rigor, and approachability, and is committed to the idea that good planning and design can drive innovation and break down barriers to achieve inclusive environments.

John volunteers his time with industry organizations which focus on real estate and civic and community issues. In addition to being recently elected to the position of Treasurer, John was invited to participate in the Boston Society for Architecture’s task force to address, recommend and help institute DE&I industry initiatives. He is an active member of the Society for College and University Planning, NAIOP, and the Urban Land Institute’s Housing & Economic Development Council. Involvement with the Newtonville Historic District Commission and North Carolina State University’s College of Design Leadership Council aligns John’s career interests with his local community and with his alma mater.

John is a guest columnist for Fast Company, CoreNet’s The Leader, Banker & Tradesman and University World News. He is often invited to moderate and speak at industry conferences on master planning, sustainable building, interdisciplinary scientific research, and public-private partnerships for higher education institutions.  John received a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University, and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

Andy West has more than 35 years of experience on a range of sophisticated planning and design projects across the country and internationally. Since joining Elkus Manfredi in 1996, he has focused on large urban planning projects for mixed-use developments, as well as the design of buildings that contribute to the revitalization of urban environments. Andy has been responsible for managing some of the firm’s most notable projects, including The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards, a one million-square-foot retail destination in New York City; CityPlace, the award-winning redevelopment of approximately 72 acres in the heart of West Palm Beach recognized by the Urban Land Institute; The Shops at Columbus Circle, the 544,000-square-foot retail/entertainment base of Manhattan’s 2.8 million-square-foot Time Warner Center; and the master plan and design of Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, which includes the award-winning Galleria shopping and entertainment destination, and Al Maryah Central, the 2.4‑million-square-foot mixed-use development to be completed in 2019.

Andy is a graduate of Columbia University, where he has received a Bachelor of Arts in architecture and a Master of Architecture. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Boston Society for Architecture.

William (Rob) Halter joined Elkus Manfredi Architects in 2005 and was named a Principal in 2023. With over 30 years of experience in complex high-rise residential, mixed-use, and institutional projects, Rob has led the design and planning of numerous large-scale precincts, residential towers, and urban developments. Since joining the firm, he has worked on master planning projects in Detroit, Atlanta, and Santa Clara, and internationally in Istanbul, Montreal, and Sochi. His mixed-use projects include leading the planning, design, and entitlement for the Copley Place Retail Expansion and Residential Tower; The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards; the flagship Neiman Marcus store at Roosevelt Field, Long Island; and most recently, The St. Regis Residences, Boston in Boston’s Seaport District. Rob is also involved as a volunteer in the development of his community in Franklin, MA, serving on the Franklin School Building Committee overseeing the planning, design, and construction of the new Franklin High School and Athletic Complex. He is a graduate of Kent State University, College of Architecture & Environmental Design with a Bachelor of Architecture and Science.

Energized by the challenge of design, Emily Paparella joined Elkus Manfredi Architects in 2006 and was named a principal of the firm in 2023. An architect, planner, and project manager of exceptional talent, Emily is equally skilled in both planning and architecture, which allows her to bring an especially broad perspective and a wide range of creativity to every project.

Emily’s work has included the master planning of projects in Baltimore, Detroit, Boston, and Cambridge, including MIT’s Kendall Square Initiative Masterplan. A strong leader accomplished in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, she has led the planning and design of numerous mixed-use life science, residential, higher education, and renovation projects, most recently Simmons University’s One Campus master plan and design of the Living and Learning Center, Lantera Residences at Boston Landing, and renovations to Harvard University’s famed Peabody Terrace and Soldiers Field Park.

Emily has been a Certified Passive House Consultant since 2019 and is a passionate advocate for advancing architecture in response to climate change. She is sought after by project managers across the firm for her in-depth expertise in energy-saving technology, envelope performance, and energy-code compliance. Devoted to her clients and teams, she is dedicated to mentorship, always making time for mentees and colleagues.

Beyond the firm, Emily is committed to supporting women in the commercial real estate industry and puts that commitment into action in all her professional work. In 2017, she co-founded the CREW Boston Development Project Management Group, a networking group targeted at women professionals specifically involved in the design and construction of projects. Also in 2017, Emily co-founded the Boston Society for Architecture Mid-Career Mentorship Program to serve mid-career women, who often lack the mentorship opportunities that emerging professionals have. She remains active in these groups and also serves on the Board of AIA Massachusetts. Emily received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Florida in 2004 and her Master of Architecture from MIT in 2007.