Murphy Mears Architects provides complete architectural and interior design services of commercial, institutional and residential projects from conceptual design through construction administration. Since 1988 the firm has crafted responsive designs for single and multi-family dwellings, office buildings, retail space, educational facilities and elderly wellness centers.

Murphy Mears Architects takes an individual design and management approach to each project. After careful consideration of the unique technical requirements, budget, and design expectations of each project, the firm presents each client with multiple solutions and the advantages of each.  Murphy Mears Architects  offers individual client-centered services of a competitive small firm, as well as a team concept for project management.

Founding Partners

Walter Murphy, Jr., AIA, LEED® AP, has been employed at both the Chicago and San Francisco offices of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.  Upon completion of his professional degree at Rice University, Walter worked for S.I. Morris Architects in Houston and then for Paolo Riani Associates in Florence, Italy.  After extensive travel, he returned to Houston to serve as an associate with William T. Cannady and Associates and Cannady, Jackson & Ryan Architects.

Kirby C. Mears, AIA, LEED® AP, received his professional degree from Rice University after spending time in Europe traveling under a William Ward Watkin traveling fellowship.  Kirby also spent time abroad working with Frank E. Basil Architects and Engineers of Athens, Greece.  In Houston, Kirby has worked with Caudill, Rowlett, Scott Architects, Taft Architects, Ray Bailey Architects, William T. Cannady and Associates, and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, prior to establishing Murphy Mears Architects.

Senior Associate

Kyle B. Humphries, LEED® AP, has been employed at Murphy Mears since 2003, after receiving his professional degree from Rice University. While at Rice, Kyle was the recipient of the Mary Alice Elliot Award and the Mary Ellen Hale Lovett Fellowship. Kyle previously worked at Pei, Cobb, Freed & Partners in New York City, as well as Ray & Hollington Architects in Houston. Kyle's presentation perspectives for Jim Freed have been published in the catalogue of the Houses at Sagaponac Development, titled American Dream, by Rizzoli International Publications.