Peter Murray (architectural writer)

Murray's voice
recorded 2012, as part of an audio description of Bedford Park for VocalEyes
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Peter Gerald Stewart Murray OBE FRSA Hon. FRIBA (born 6 April 1944[1]) is a British writer and commentator on architecture and the built environment.[2] He co-founded New London Architecture and is Chairman of the London Society, in addition to being Master of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects. He is a keen cyclist and campaigner for cycling issues.

Education

Murray studied at the RWA School of Architecture and the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, in the 1960s.

Career

Murray was editor of Building Design and then the RIBA Journal. In 1983, he launched Blueprint magazine with Deyan Sudjic; this was followed by Eye, the international review of graphic design and Tate magazine for the Tate Gallery. He has worked on major projects around the world including Broadgate in the UK, Taipei 101, Taiwan, Union Square in Hong Kong, Avant Seine in Paris and Hudson Yards and One World Trade Center in New York City. In 2004, Murray launched the first London Architecture Biennale (now the London Festival of Architecture) in Clerkenwell.

He is chairman of New London Architecture: the centre for London's built environment and President of Wordsearch, a consultancy explaining and promoting architecture, planning and the built environment.

A prolific author, his works include The Saga of Sydney Opera House, "A passion to build" and "Architecture and Commerce."

Murray was made a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1989 and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1999. He is a member of the Academy of Urbanism, a board member of the Center for Active Design and of the Association of Architectural Organisations.

Murray was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to leadership in the arts, architecture, city planning, design and publication and to charity.[3]

Appointments

He is Chairman of the London Society, Deputy Chairman of the Bedford Park Society, a member of the Construction Industry Cycling Commission and of the Mayor's Design Advisory Group. He is on the board of developer Be First, an urban regeneration company wholly owned by Barking and Dagenham Council.

Charity work

In 2005, Murray started the Cycle to Cannes charity bike ride.[4] In 2013, he took part in a 6000 km cycle ride for charity from Portland, Oregon to Portland Place, London researching the implementation of cycling strategies in US cities.[2]

References

  1. ^ Peter Murray, Esq. debretts.com 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  2. ^ a b Portland to Portland Bike Trip: Dispatch 1, Architectural Record, 7 May 2013
  3. ^ "No. 63377". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2021. p. B13.
  4. ^ "Organising a 1500km charity ride for 80 cyclists". Freewheeling France. Retrieved 6 June 2015.