2026 Ones to Watch - Rising Stars: Sinéad Khan, Elkus Manfredi Architects

“Sinead’s strengths shine through when she is bringing a project from a conceptual idea all the way to reality through construction documentation and construction administration. Her ability to adhere to the design intent while implementing real, practical, and extremely well-executed solutions through all phases of a project produces results that consistently surpass the expectations of our clients.”

What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry, and what path brought you to your current role? From a young age, I was drawn to creativity. I entered local art contests and crafted my own line of handmade greeting cards for family celebrations. That early passion for art evolved into a deeper interest in architecture and the idea of shaping spaces around human experience. Over the past several years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a range of exciting projects for clients such as Omni Hotels and Wynn Development. Through these experiences, I’ve developed both my technical expertise and design perspective, ultimately leading me to my current role as Project Architect.

What accomplishment or project so far in your career are you most proud of? My current project, Strider Hotel at Boston Landing, has been the most fulfilling to date. I have been immersed in the project for two years, from conceptual design through construction administration, including complex exterior coordination of custom-molded mega panels that integrate glazing, GFRC, and thin brick, and the project’s fast-track schedule, which adds more complexity and requires maximum collaboration across teams. I’m especially proud to be a key contributor to a project that expands New Balance’s portfolio and creates a meaningful addition to Boston Landing.