--- title: "Murphy Mears Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/murphy-mears-architects-pfvwus-pf~973353714 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~973353714.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Murphy Mears Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/11e39738011fe582_3862-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "1973 West Gray, Suite 13, Houston, Texas 77019, United States" latitude: 31.2644 longitude: -96.4 phone: "(281) 381-3840" website: http://www.murphymears.com rating: 5 review_count: 11 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 186 last_updated: 2026-09-18 --- # Murphy Mears Architects Original Houzz profile: [Murphy Mears Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/murphy-mears-architects-pfvwus-pf~973353714) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Houston, TX - **Serves:** Houston, Hillshire, Pasadena, North Houston, Baytown, Missouri City, Spring, Cypress, La Porte, Katy, Bellaire, Stafford, Humble, West University Place, Galena Park, Jacinto City, Jersey Village, Nassau Bay, Meadows Place, Hunters Creek Village, Bunker Hill Village, Spring Valley, Piney Point Village, Hedwig Village, Sheldon, Southside Place, Hilshire Village, Alief, Barker, Hufsmith - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (11 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2019–2021), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Architecture requires a mix of problem solving and searching for simplicity. Our interest is in the functional and practical, in the play of exterior volumes, shaped by context, material selection, and references to style if applicable, with interiors which bring, calm, serenity, and order to our clients’ busy lives. We strive to make warm and welcoming rooms that can accommodate both large and small gatherings. We are interested in creating lasting value through careful material selection, appropriately sized spaces, flexibility as families grow, and inspiring spaces with generous natural light and outdoor connections. The office was formed in 1988 when Rice University alums Walter Murphy and Kirby Mears teamed up after having worked for award winning firms in Houston, San Francisco, Florence, Italy, and Athens, Greece. Kyle Humphries, also a Rice graduate joined the practice in 2003 after working in the New York office of Pei, Cobb, Freed & Partners and is now a partner in the firm. Collectively, the principals have over 75 years experience working in residential design and construction. Our design process promotes the study of multiple solutions early in the development of a project. This process continues from the big picture to the smallest details, and allows us to guide our clients through the design of a home that requires hundreds of decisions from a client. The firm relies on the most current software and digital tools to help visualize and understand design options presented in 3D, including still images, solar studies, and virtual walk-throughs. The 3D model is used directly to create detailed and coordinated 2D drawing documents for construction. Much of our work is and has been residential. Even our project for the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Architecture Foundation, a nationally juried competition won in 2016, is essentially a new "home" within an historic masonry building downtown. Though any design that builds on the best lessons from the past invariably introduces elements with stylistic underpinnings, our main focus rests in making light-filled spaces organized around a procession from public to private, with multiple connections to beautiful outdoor spaces. As investments, well designed houses provide a solid return that celebrates the craft of design and construction, providing lasting inspirations for living well. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Energy-Efficient Homes - 3D Rendering - Green Building - Space Planning - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Project Management - Handicap-Accessible Design ### Areas Served - Houston - Hillshire - Pasadena - North Houston - Baytown - Missouri City - Spring - Cypress - La Porte - Katy - Bellaire - Stafford - Humble - West University Place - Galena Park - Jacinto City - Jersey Village - Nassau Bay - Meadows Place - Hunters Creek Village - Bunker Hill Village - Spring Valley - Piney Point Village - Hedwig Village - Sheldon - Southside Place - Hilshire Village - Alief - Barker - Hufsmith ### Typical Job Cost $600,000 - 10,000,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Murphy Mears Architects | | Address | 1973 West Gray, Suite 13, Houston, Texas 77019, United States | | Phone | (281) 381-3840 | | Website | http://www.murphymears.com | | Followers on Houzz | 186 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Murphy Mears Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/murphy-mears-architects-pfvwus-pf~973353714) - **Website:** http://www.murphymears.com - **Phone:** (281) 381-3840 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Awards: Houston AIA Design Awards 2015 (2), 2014, 2013 (2), 1997. Preservation Houston Good Brick Awards 2016 (2). - Competitions: Re-Imagine Architecture Center Houston Winner, 99k House Finalist, and Houston Holocaust Memorial Room Winner. - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2019–2021), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [AIA Houston](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-houston-pfvwus-pf~1544679345) - [U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/u-s-green-building-council-usgbc-pfvwus-pf~1797160658) - [LEED AP](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/leed-ap-pfvwus-pf~1386238498) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 11 reviews** ### All 11 reviews **★★★★★ — Amy Lee, Nov. 2018** > Kyle and Walter are wonderful people. Their attention to detail is extraordinary and we are so happy having them part of our house building process. Their professionalism and expertise is second to none. We would hire them if we were building a 2nd house in a heartbeat. Love them! **★★★★★ — Marcos Garbellotto, March 2018** > We hired MMA after interviewing quite a few architects and could not be happier. From the get go we laid out to Walter Murphy and Kyle Humphries what we had in mind and they heard our wishes through many meetings and truly delivered. Walter and Kyle took the challenges head on and made an amazing project for an unusual shaped lot and placing harmoniously a modern home in a definitely non modern neighborhood. I could not overstate how comfortable and functional our home is and how carefully all details were looked into and planned. **★★★★★ — Gunn Construction & Building Co., May 2017** > Murphy Mears does a great job with their design work. They produce a detailed and complete set of drawings. The entire staff is easy to work with which makes the process easy. Their designs are unique and original. I'd certainly recommend them for a custom home project. **★★★★★ — dirkhoyt, April 2014** > I have worked with Walter Murphy, Kirby Mears and Kyle Humphries @ Murphy Mears Architects on a handful of very high end custom homes over the last 10 years. They are not only one of the most talented and creative firms in Houston, they are also one of the most professional. As a custom builder I work with some of the best Architects in town and when given the opportunity to recommend an Architect for a project, they are always at the top of my list. In the last few years when I've done speculative projects, Murphy Mears Architects did my work. If I was considering hiring an architectural firm for a high end remodel or a custom home, I would at the very least, interview this firm. As good as they are at architecture, I find they are even better people to work with. I highly recommend them. **★★★★★ — James Copple, April 2014** > I have worked with the Murphy Mears Architectural firm for many years now. I can personally vouch for Kirby, Kyle, and Walter that they do top notch work for their clients. As a sales rep who represents architectural products, i get the opportunity to work with many design firms. In my opinion Murphy Mears has a high level of detail and focus on each project they do that many other architecture firms do not have. I have seen them repeatedly go above and beyond for each client they work for. **★★★★★ — bjsetera, April 2014** > I have had the privilege of working with Murphy Mears Architects on a few projects to date. Their design, plans and attention to detail makes building houses with them a pleasure. As a custom builder, having a design team that has gone to the extent with the details that Murphy Mears has makes the construction process drastically smoother for the homeowners. I cannot say enough good things about them, and hope to do many more projects together. **★★★★★ — Symbio - Technology Simplified, April 2014** > Murphy Mears is hands down one of the finest architecture firms we have collaborated with. They are a team of seasoned veterans who work together efficiently. One prime Murphy Mears attribute is attention to detail. Their hands on approach from start to finish ensures the vision of the project is perfected. Very few architects in the greater Houston area operate at this level. We trust and respect the Murphy Mears team; you will be in good hands. **★★★★★ — roliveriii, April 2014** > We chose Murphy Mears from a group of highly qualified architects to design and supervise construction of our new residence. Working closely with our interior designer, Margaret Campbell ASID, Murphy Mears produced a LEED Gold design that blended modern interiors with an exterior that fits in our more traditional neighborhood. The house won first place in the 2013 Houston AIA Residential Design competition, and we have been very happy with it during the two years we've lived in it. Murphy Mears was responsive, prompt, and inventive in its approach to the various issues arising during design and construction. We recommend them highly. **★★★★★ — sandra123142, April 2014** > Not finding a house to fit our needs we decided in 2011 to build a new home. Finding the right architects was crucial to the success of the project. We wanted a full service creative firm that would blend our ideas and introduce new innovations and thoughts to the plans. We wanted to build a house that reflected our life style. Murphy Mears was able to do that and much more. Through them we developed a team to cover every aspect of the building process. > > They were diligent about deadlines, mindful of the budget and always responsive to our questions and concerns. Once construction started they supervised the proejct to completion holding everyone involved to their high standards of excellence. > > Building a new home is not stress free but with Murphy Mears many of the pitfalls associated with constrution were avoided. > > Smith and Sandra **★★★★★ — meedi, April 2014** > I came to work with Murphy Mears Architects through a kitchen project when I was responsible for designing the kitchen system into their project. While this particular project had some complicated conditions, the team at Murphy Mears, headed by Kyle Humphries always had the client's interest at heart. They communicated clearly and respectfully to other professions to ensure a smooth and positive outcome. When one my own client asked me to help them select an architect who would be sensitive to their needs as well as respect the mid-century architecture of their home, I was happy that they agreed to choose MMA for this very important project. The team at MMA are some of the most thoughtful, thorough, and upstanding architects I know. When it comes to protecting the client, their integrity can not be questioned. While Kyle and MMA have strong ideas for their projects, they have the ability to be sensitive and respectful to other 's ideas. I would definitely consider MMA again for our next project. **★★★★★ — rickythornton, April 2014** > Our company was hired to install a lighting system and window treatment system for a contemporary style project designed by Murphy Mears Architects. I was impressed with the detail and care with which Murphy Mears approached the project. The attention to detail early in the project defined our scope to a point that made it easier for us to give the client the best possible installation. It was always clear that MMA's goal was to give the client a well built home that would be comfortable to live in. Kyle Humphries, with MMA, was a pleasure to work with and I would recommend MMA to anyone wanting to build a custom home. ## Selected projects - [Carlton Woods Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/carlton-woods-residence-pj-vj~2945814) - Location: The Woodlands, TX - Photos: 6 - [Courtyard House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/courtyard-house-pj-vj~2922284) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 6 - [Terrace House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/terrace-house-pj-vj~2939246) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 10 - [Zaguan House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/zaguan-house-pj-vj~517550) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 6 - [Maison d'Antiquaire](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/maison-d-antiquaire-pj-vj~2923813) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 5 - [Round Top Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/round-top-farmhouse-pj-vj~2927051) - Location: Round Top, TX - Photos: 11 - [Harrell House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/harrell-house-pj-vj~517505) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 11 - [Charles Oliver Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/charles-oliver-renovation-pj-vj~2942551) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 7 - [Longwoods Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/longwoods-residence-pj-vj~517523) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 6 - Description: For a retired Houston couple with an ever-growing collection of paintings and photography, their new home is filled with natural light to illuminate the artworks without overwhelming them. Light is a defining material in this five-bedroom, 6,600-square-foot residence in an established residential neighborhood. Glass walls shaded by adjoining porch roofs, continuous clerestory windows, a sliding louvered shade panel that references the aperture of a camera, and an elliptical skylight all work in… - [Lindenwood Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lindenwood-residence-pj-vj~2940790) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 9 - [Sandringham Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sandringham-residence-pj-vj~2938549) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 9 - [Little John Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/little-john-residence-pj-vj~2942591) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 7 - [Santa Fe Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-fe-retreat-pj-vj~2946010) - Location: Santa Fe, NM - Photos: 5 - [Shelby Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shelby-ranch-pj-vj~2945783) - Location: Shelby, TX - Photos: 8 - [Corsica](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/corsica-pj-vj~2945847) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Sabine Street Cottages](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sabine-street-cottages-pj-vj~2923333) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 5 - [Pemberton Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pemberton-residence-pj-vj~517555) - Location: Houston, TX - Photos: 7 [See all 17 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/murphy-mears-architects-pfvwus-pf~973353714) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-18.*