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 a member of the Leaders Council at the NC State College of Design and a current board member of Baltimore Heritage. She is also certified by the State of California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) as a Safety Assessment Program (SAP) evaluator.

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.