Boston, MA Ellenzweig, a national architecture and lab planning firm, has appointed Neil Cahalane, AIA, FRIAI, as president. Cahalane is a long-time principal and design and management leader of the firm, as well as a member of the board. He assumed this new role January 1, 2024.

“I am excited to take on this new leadership role in the firm as we collectively continue charting our course for the future, one that builds on our success as design innovators, thoughtful and committed collaborators, and passionate stewards of the planet,” said Cahalane. “It is a future I look forward to sharing with our clients, my colleagues, and our industry partners.”

Cahalane succeeds Michael Lauber, FAIA, who has served as president for 15 years. During Lauber’s tenure, the firm built on its long history of design excellence and innovation in academic science teaching and research facilities.

while significantly expanding its expertise in the areas of engineering, marine science research, and health sciences facilities for colleges and universities, as well as commercial life sciences facilities. As president, he also bolstered the firm’s longtime commitment to design solutions that reduce carbon emissions, are resilient and adaptable to change, and promote human well-being.

“Known for developing and managing relationships, Neil is an astute consensus builder,” said Lauber, who will remain a principal of the firm and continue his project work. “As president, Neil’s guiding hand will ensure that our culture of collaboration and innovation will continue to characterize our interactions with clients and project teams and inspire our staff to think creatively in concert with them. Neil’s design acumen and strengths as an effective, diplomatic communicator promise a strong future for the firm.”

A native of Ireland, Cahalane joined Ellenzweig in 1985. He is a registered architect in Massachusetts with more than 35 years of architectural design and management experience. Cahalane has completed some of the firm’s largest, most complex projects. His leadership roles within the firm include board member and director of project management, with responsibility for overseeing project implementation firmwide. He represents Ellenzweig at and is a former chair of The Architects’ Group (TAG), a roundtable of senior leaders from Boston-area architecture firms focused on issues of interest across the profession. Cahalane is a frequent invited speaker at forums focusing on academic teaching and research facilities, including those presented by Tradeline and the Society for College and University Planning. Cahalane graduated from the University College Dublin School of Architecture, and was recently named a Fellow in The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.