Business Details
34 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architects in Newcastle upon Tyne
Founded in 1992 by Iain Murphy, Alston Murphy Associates has cultivated a reputation for architectural integrity and insight, combining over thirty years of experience with a commitment to client-focused design solutions. Our practice thrives on the collaborative relationship between architect, client, and contractor, ensuring each project aligns with spatial, environmental, and budgetary requirements. Specialising in healthcare and disability sectors, we have designed 130 care homes across the UK and Ireland, with over 100 successfully completed. Our portfolio spans new-build and refurbishment projects in residential, commercial, industrial, and listed buildings, reflecting our adaptability and technical expertise.We prioritise sustainable design principles while maintaining a deep understanding of diverse client needs, from private individuals to large corporations. This dedication to blending creativity with practicality has fostered long-term client relationships and industry recognition. Our team of experienced professionals remains dedicated to advancing architectural excellence through innovation and meticulous attention to detail.
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Landscaping
Masterplanning
Sustainability
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We have designed 130 care homes across the UK and Ireland since 1992
- Our team combines over 30 years of architectural experience with technical expertise
- We specialise in listed building restoration and accessible design solutions
- We maintain long-term client relationships through transparent collaboration
- Our portfolio spans 100+ completed projects across diverse sectors
Services
Architecture
Our architectural services combine creative vision with technical precision to deliver tailored solutions for new-build and refurbishment projects. We specialise in healthcare facilities, residential developments, and commercial buildings, ensuring each design meets environmental, budgetary, and functional requirements. With expertise in listed building conservation and accessible design, we create spaces that balance aesthetic appeal with practical usability.
Interior Design
We craft interior environments that optimise spatial efficiency while maintaining aesthetic coherence with external architecture. Our approach focuses on creating functional, adaptable spaces for residential, healthcare, and commercial clients. By integrating lighting, materials, and ergonomics, we enhance user experience while adhering to safety regulations and accessibility standards.
Landscaping
Our landscaping services integrate built environments with natural surroundings through sustainable site planning. We design accessible pathways, green spaces, and water features that complement architectural elements while improving biodiversity. This includes creating therapeutic gardens for care facilities and public realm improvements that enhance community engagement.
Masterplanning
We develop comprehensive masterplans for large-scale developments that balance growth with environmental stewardship. Our approach considers transportation networks, green infrastructure, and mixed-use spaces to create cohesive communities. This includes strategic regeneration plans for urban centres and campus developments that accommodate future expansion.
Sustainability
We incorporate passive design principles and renewable technologies to minimise environmental impact across all projects. Our sustainability expertise includes achieving BREEAM ratings, designing energy-efficient care homes, and retrofitting historic buildings with modern insulation systems. We prioritise locally sourced materials and water conservation strategies to create resilient, low-carbon developments.
People
Iain Murphy
Founder & Director
Iain founded Alston Murphy Associates in 1992 after qualifying as an architect in 1980. With over 40 years of industry experience, he leads design strategy and client relations while mentoring junior staff. His expertise in healthcare architecture stems from delivering 130 care homes since the practice's inception.
Ollie Currie
Architect
Ollie joined the practice in 2010 and became team captain for charity initiatives. He specialises in residential projects and leads community engagement efforts. With 14 years of experience, he ensures design proposals meet both client aspirations and regulatory requirements while maintaining the practice's design ethos.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialise in?
We specialise in healthcare facilities, residential developments, commercial buildings, and listed building restoration. Our expertise also extends to masterplanning, interior design, and sustainable architecture.
How experienced are you in care home design?
Since 1992, we've designed 130 care homes across the UK and Ireland, with over 100 successfully completed projects demonstrating our sector-specific expertise.
Do you work on listed buildings?
Yes, we have extensive experience in restoring and adapting listed buildings while preserving historical integrity and meeting modern functionality requirements.
What areas do you cover?
We operate throughout the UK and Ireland, with a particular focus on Newcastle upon Tyne and surrounding regions.
How do you approach sustainable design?
We integrate passive design principles, renewable technologies, and locally sourced materials to create energy-efficient buildings that minimise environmental impact across all project types.
