In 1968, James Manguso, a University at Buffalo (UB) architecture graduate, entered the design profession, first in structural/civil engineering and then in architectural engineering, when he accepted a position at, Rupley Bahler Blake, a local consulting firm. That job did more than jump-start his career; it introduced him to Conrad Lauer, a 1972 architecture graduate of UB. "After working together for several years, Cal and I decided to strike out on our own. So we took a leap of faith and established Lauer-Manguso & Associates Architects in 1982. " What started out as a modest endeavor above an auto parts store blossomed into the thriving business that Lauer-Manguso enjoys today.

As the business grew, they purchased their own office building in 1985 and expanded with building additions. "We acquired several new clients such as Benderson Development Co. Inc.; Host Marriott (HMS Host); HSBC Bank USA; Mighty Taco and Myron M. Hunt, Inc. that required us to have more space to accommodate our growing staff." The company is now located in a 6,000-square-foot facility that supports a staff of 30 and an array of services including architecture, interior design, site planning, civil and structural engineering, industrial design, feasibility and condition studies, master planning, construction administration and computer animation/modeling.