2024 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Jordan Mercurio, Elkus Manfredi Architects

“Jordan Mercurio is an extraordinary design talent who understands everything that makes great buildings and places: purpose, sustainability, resiliency, durability, and beauty. Just as important, she listens to clients and consultants, responds in words and pictures, and creates partnerships, collaborating with the entire team necessary to create great projects.” - David Manfredi, CEO & Founding Principal at Elkus Manfredi Architects.

In the last 12 months what accomplishment are you most proud of? My most joyful accomplishment this past year has been my daughter’s birth and the humbling, beautiful chaos of navigating new motherhood and my role as an architectural designer and project manager. Returning to work after maternity leave, I stepped into the role of project manager for the first time, leading the conceptual design for a new Boston hotel project. I’m excited to have the opportunity to shape the project vision and see it through construction. 

Outside of your career, where else do you seek continuous learning and personal growth? My background in art history and studio art greatly influences how I see the world. I’m also relentlessly curious about everyday things in life, looking for harmonious compositions in nature, textiles, and visual arts that can enrich my approach to design. An active student of the world around me, I’m always building the diverse knowledge base that is essential to my creative process and helps me design exciting projects that tell a compelling story.