As principal and owner of Olson Kundig, Kirsten Ring Murray creates architecture grounded in a residential framework. Since joining the firm in 1989, she has applied these foundational principles across diverse typologies, locations, populations, and economies, producing designs that resonate deeply with their context. Kirsten views her practice as an opportunity to directly impact those who inhabit these spaces while also expanding the scale and reach of Olson Kundig’s work.
I love it when you get to touch all of those things you always hope to bring to a project—the sense of grounding in place, engagement with the user group, a strong sustainable design approach—things I think people can be really proud of.
Kirsten Ring Murray
Principal / Owner | FAIA
Lectures & Juries
2024
Virginia Tech | School of Architecture, Art, Design, Commencement Speaker
2022
AIA Ohio Design Awards Jury
HP Webinar Series – “Balancing Digital and Natural”
HP Webinar Series – “The Office as a Village”
2021
Mill District Speaker Series, 2021
AIA Dallas Awards Jury, 2021
Blueprint Awards Jury, 2021
AIA Georgia Design Awards Jury, 2021
Residential Design Architecture Awards, 2021
University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Architecture Presentation, 2021
WAN Female Frontier Awards, Judge and Panelist, 2021
2020
Archiproducts Design Awards Jury, 2020
AIA Las Vegas Women in Architecture Meeting, “Conversations With Three Notable Architects,” Panelist, 2020
AIA Virginia Design Forum: In Praise of Shadows, Keynote Speaker, 2020
“Mill District Talks with Olson Kundig,” Panelist, 2020
Presentation to University of Washington Professional Practice Class, “Firm Work, Firm Culture, 2020
AIA Tampa Bay Design Awards Jury, 2020
AIA Nevada Design Awards Jury Chair, 2020
Education
Master of Architecture, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Bachelor of Science, Environmental Design, University of Colorado
Certificate Program in Design Firm Leadership and Management, University of Washington
Awards
2024
Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, Fourth Ward
Architectural Digest’s AD100 list, Olson Kundig
Ocean Home Magazine, Top 50 Coastal Architects, Olson Kundig
2023
Architectural Digest’s AD100 list, Olson Kundig
Architect’s Newspaper Best of Practice Awards, Honorable Mention, XL West Firm, Olson Kundig
Architizer A+ Awards, Best Large Firm, Olson Kundig
Mountain Living Magazine, Top Architects and Designers List, Olson Kundig
Ocean Home Magazine, Top 50 Coastal Architects, Olson Kundig
AN Interior, Top 50 Architects & Designers, Olson Kundig
AIA Seattle Honor Awards for Washington Architecture, Award of Merit, 800 Fifth Avenue
Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, 8899 Beverly Boulevard
AIA Los Angeles Residential Design Awards, Adaptive Reuse/Renovation/Historic Preservation Honor Award, 8899 Beverly Boulevard
Architizer A+ Awards Finalist, Mid Rise Housing Category, 8899 Beverly Boulevard
Chicago Athenaeum, American Architecture Award, LeBron James Innovation Center at Nike World Headquarters
LIV Hospitality Design Awards, Architecture – Living Space, Condominium Category Winner, 8899 Beverly Boulevard
LIV Hospitality Design Awards, Architecture – Living Space, North America Category Winner, 8899 Beverly Boulevard
LIV Hospitality Design Awards, Interior Design – Living Space, Condominium Category Winner, 8899 Beverly Boulevard
LIV Hospitality Design Awards, Interior Design – Living Space, North America Category Winner, 8899 Beverly Boulevard
2022
Interior Design Best of Year Awards, Finalist, The LeBron James Innovation Center at Nike World Headquarters
Mountain Living Magazine, Top Mountain Architects, Olson Kundig
2021
Architectural Digest, AD100 List, Olson Kundig
2020
AIA Washington Council Civic Design Awards, Citation Award, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
Fast Company, World’s Most Innovative Companies List, Olson Kundig
Architectural Digest, AD100 List, Olson Kundig
2019
AIA Seattle Design Awards, Honorable Mention, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
AIA Seattle Design Awards, Young Voices Selection, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture
AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Design Awards, Merit Award, 100 Stewart Hotel & Apartments
2017
AIA Seattle Honor Awards, 100 Stewart Hotel & Apartments
2016
NAIOP Washington State Hospitality Development of the Year, 100 Stewart Hotel & Apartments
Blueprint Awards, Best Interior Project (Workspace), Media Headquarters
2015
AIA Washington Civic Design Awards, Merit Award, Tacoma Art Museum Haub Gallery
2013
Seattle AIA Honor Awards, Merit Award, [storefront]
2012
International Architecture Award, European Centre and Chicago Athenaeum, Art Stable
AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Honor Awards, Honor Award, Art Stable