Alumni Spotlight:
Rashmi Murthy (M.Arch. '05)

Name: Rashmi Murthy
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Major: Master of Architecture
Graduation Year: 2005
Employer: DLR Group
Title: Principal I Higher Education Client Leader

Why did you choose the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design? What drew you to design?
I chose the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design because of its design-build program. My undergraduate degree is from outside the United States. This program offered an opportunity to learn building practices in the U.S. and a hands-on learning environment in which students engage directly with the full design process from concept to construction. The full summer semester workshop strives to bridge the gap between studio and practice by providing opportunities to work at full-scale and gain a deeper understanding of materials, structure, costs, planning, and the relationship between design intent and the actual building process. I chose design because I loved painting and other visual arts, yet wanted to be in a STEM field. The architecture discipline is a perfect amalgam of the arts and sciences.

What is one of your favorite memories from your time on campus? Was there a particular professor who influenced your education?
My favorite memory was at the College’s materials workshop, where we learned to cut wood and steel, use the lathe, etch on acrylic, pour resin, and weld. During the design-build program, my group built a Store & Score facility for baseball at Ervan Chew Park by repurposing a shipping container and adding a canopy. This structure still stands strong and is used regularly even after 20+ years. We also built a beautiful, organic, temporary art installation with bamboo and structural steel at Rice University in collaboration with architect Shigeru Ban, Arup, and Rice students. I was one of the main welders for the structural steel members and still remember those days fondly! Patrick Peters and Donna Kacmar led these projects and were wonderful at bringing these opportunities for the students. Apart from them, I really enjoyed Bruce Webb's thoughtful discussions about architecture, John Zemanek's strict Asian studies class, and the high-rise studio with Joe Colaco, Tom Colbert, Pete Ed Garrett, and Ronnie Self.

Tell us about a typical day in your job. Do you have a particular design or business philosophy?
Currently, my role centers on leading two large, complex, state-of-the-art projects, ensuring they remain aligned with their ambitious visions and goals and stay on schedule and within budget. I also develop proposals for future opportunities and regularly collaborate with clients, consultants, and construction partners.

I believe successful building design is inherently collaborative. Meaningful projects result from diverse expertise and a shared commitment. As a leader, I prioritize recognizing each team member's strengths and uniting everyone around a common purpose.

What is one career accomplishment of which you are particularly proud? How do you feel the College prepared you for this?
I am proud to have worked in a variety of roles across our industry, spanning multiple sectors, project types, and firms, and to have built a diverse and well-rounded portfolio. Embracing change and developing resilience have been essential to discovering where my strengths lie and what I am most passionate about. My architectural education, through design studios, varied coursework, and exposure to multiple career paths within the field, laid the foundation for this exploration and growth.

What is one valuable lesson you learned during your time at the Hines College?
The College taught me that effective time management means recognizing that progress matters more than perfection. You cannot always wait for the perfect moment, the perfect solution, or perfect conditions. Moving projects forward requires making thoughtful decisions, taking action, and refining along the way.

What advice would you give to current architecture and design students?
I encourage students to explore how architecture shapes people’s lives and affects the communities around them, while also studying the rich history of architecture worldwide. Understanding both social context and historical precedent strengthens thoughtful design. As our world continues to evolve with the rise of AI, we must ask how to remain relevant while advancing sustainability and responsible innovation.

Firm Website: www.dlrgroup.com