Studio

Murdoch Architects is a small, woman-owned firm providing architectural and interior design services. Our work encompasses a wide range of projects including universities, nonprofits, places or worship, community spaces, and residences.

We are a firm focused on design excellence and the collaborative process, in order to build creative, thoughtful, and well-executed projects. We value architecture that is timeless because of its connection to context and functional beauty. Though our work is based in the modernist tradition, we delight in working on historic buildings. We strive to make buildings and spaces that function well and bring beauty and delight to life, work, and play.

Mara Murdoch

Principal, RA, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C

Mara Murdoch began her architecture career with the 50 LEGO Basic Building Set she received for Christmas in 1976. She went on to establish Murdoch Architects in 2008. She received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a double major in Art/Painting from Wake Forest University, and a Masters of Architecture from the North Carolina State University, School of Design, which included a minor in Urban Design and a concentration in Historic Preservation. She was awarded the Kamphoefner Fellowship, American Institute of Architects Henry Adams Medal, RTKL Work / Travel Fellowship, Phi Kappa Pi Graduate Award, and Tau Sigma Delta Architecture Honor / Service Award. She served as the Teaching Assistant for History of Modern Architecture for several semesters, and served as the Illustrator for the Second Edition of Precedents in Architecture.

Mara has over 27 years experience working as an Architect in firms in Baltimore, Washington DC, and Raleigh, NC. Her thoughtful approach to architectural issues and her attention to detail throughout the design process ensure the successful coordination of the design and construction phases in developing architectural projects. Her experience includes the full range of design services from feasibility studies to project management and construction administration, as well as interior design and historic preservation. Her projects have been honored with numerous industry awards, including the AIA Baltimore Grand Design Award, several AIA Baltimore Design Awards, Baltimore Heritage Preservation Awards, and a Maryland Chapter AIA Design Citation. Notable projects include the Fieldhouse at Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson University, Towson University College of Education Child Care Center, the Annie E. Casey Foundation Headquarters Expansion, and a bat wind tunnel laboratory at Johns Hopkins University.

Mara is a licensed architect in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architecture Registration Boards. She is also a past advisory board member to the North Carolina State University College of Design, School of Architecture, and a current board member and First Vice President of Baltimore Heritage.

When she is not architecting, she can be found riding her bike up the hills of Baltimore County, experimenting in the kitchen, or in her backyard hanging out with her avian neighbors.

Awards

2018

Associated Builders and Contractors Award of Excellence

2007

Baltimore Chapter AIA Honorable Mention: University Childcare Center Towson University

Maryland AIA Citation Awards

2004

Baltimore Heritage Preservation Award: Maryland Institute College of Art Firehouse Renovation

Baltimore Heritage Preservation Award: White Lead Paint Factory Renovation - Foundry on Fort

2003

Baltimore Chapter AIA Grand Design Award: Johnny Unitas Stadium Field House Towson University

Baltimore Chapter AIA Honorable Mention: The Annie E. Casey Foundation Headquarters Expansion

Maryland Chapter ASID Interior Design 1st Place Commercial: The Annie E. Casey Foundation Headquarters Expansion

Associated Builders and Contractors Award of Merit: The Annie E. Casey Foundation Headquarters Expansion

2002

Building Congress & Exchange Craftsmanship Award: The Annie E. Casey Foundation Headquarters Expansion

1998

Baltimore Chapter AIA Design Award: Greene Residence

* Projects prior to 2008 were completed while a Project Architect at Cho Benn Holback & Associates

** Project prior to 1999 was completed while an Architect at Read + Company Architects

Services

 

Architecture

Interior Design

Historic Preservation

Planning

Clients

 

University of Maryland, Baltimore

JHU Whiting School of Engineering

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Towson University

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Read + Company Architects

Ziger | Snead Architects

Saint Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church

Western Maryland Interpretive Association

Andrew Glover Youth Program

Peregrine Construction

Cho Benn Holback & Associates

J Davis Architects