The entire architectural community was assembled on the top floor of the new Legg Mason building in trendy Harbor East and waited for the Grand Design award to be announced by the President of the local AIA.
It was Mike Murphy, partner and CEO of Murphy Dittenhafer who was called on the stage once more to receive the grand design award for a whimsy pool house design. That was a few months ago.
Mike, with a full head of gray hair, a wry smile and omnipresent at all events architectural. One that would raise his hand and register disagreement, discontent and at times make blunt statements. One, who wasn't afraid. It was easy to see that his big head was not afraid of a possible wall to run into.
Mike was designer and entrepreneur and he built a lot of stuff. Modern at times, preserving historic structures at others. He fought for the preservation of the Baltimore Masonic Temple when it was slated to give way to a mundane parking garage. He found a way to preserve the Temple AND have the garage.
Tomorrow the architectural community will assemble in the beautifully restored Masonic Temple to celebrate Mike's life and his work as an architect. Mike is dead. Abruptly taken from our midst, way too early and while we all still need everyone who can dream, everyone who dares and everyone who has the ability and the will to imagine and then realize a better city and a better world. When we still need Mike.
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