Richard Murphy

Richard Murphy OBE (born 24 April 1955) is a British architect and businessman. He is the founder and principal architect of Richard Murphy Architects, an architectural firm operating in Edinburgh. He is a winner of the 2016 RIBA House of the year.

Works Murphy studied at Newcastle University and University of Edinburgh. In 1991, he established Richard Murphy Architects in Edinburgh, which expanded to employ over twenty architects. Initially focused on residential extensions and mews conversions, the firm later branched into education, healthcare, arts, and commercial projects, with some buildings funded by the National Lottery.

In 1995, Murphy designed the inaugural Maggie's Centre in Edinburgh, now the administrative headquarters for Maggie's. The structure, intended to support cancer treatment, was uniquely designed without corridors to prevent an institutional feel.

In 1996, Murphy published a book on Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa and presented a Channel 4 documentary on him. He also co-authored a book on Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Murphy has designed homes for his personal use, with his 2015 Hart Street residence winning the Saltire Society Award for Best Single Dwelling New Build.

Teaching Murphy has taught at University of Edinburgh, The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, University of Strathclyde, and abroad at Technical University of Braunschweig, University of Virginia, and Syracuse University, New York.

Proposed work Candleriggs Quarter in Glasgow's Merchant City Perth Theatre, Perthshire

Notable completed work Projects by year of design

Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, 1991 Maggie's Edinburgh, Edinburgh, 1994 + 1999 extension Tolbooth Arts Centre, Stirling, 2002 British High Commission, Sri Lanka, 2008 Housing Moore Street, Glasgow, 2008 University of East London - Computer and Conference Centre, London, 2009 Stratheden Dementia and Mental Health Unit, Fife, 2009 Justice Mill Lane Park Inn Hotel and Office Development, Aberdeen, 2011 Queen's University Belfast Postgraduate Accommodation, Belfast, 2012 Old See House Mental Health Facility (in association with RPP Architects), Belfast, 2014 Postgraduate Housing for The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, 2014 Dunfermline Museum and Art Gallery, Fife, 2017