Asheville Architect, Amy Conner-Murphy, Featured on NC Design Online
A “Show & Tell” With A Great Mountain View
Posted on | August 26, 2012 |
It’s been a while since we have had one of our Show & Tell features. Today we hear from Amy Conner-Murphy, AIA, of the Asheville architecture and interior design firm, ACM Design. In her own words Amy shares with us a little from both her professional and personal side.
When did you become interested in architecture and interior design?
ACM: I walked into an architectural office when I was 17 and was immediately hooked. My first architectural studio class was on my very first day of college, so this has been my passion for over half my life. I worked for many years in commercial architecture, but early on I felt called to do residential work. Many years later, after having a family of my own, that calling met with opportunity.
What is your favorite place you have traveled?
Paris, France. It’s such a beautiful city with such a well-defined spirit. The fact is though, that a short visit to a place like this only gives you a very small snapshot of what it’s all about. I’d like to live in Paris for a year—to truly experience the city as a dweller and absorb those small, unique moments that make up life there.
What do you most enjoy about being an architect and interior designer?
Creating a personal, meaningful space for my clients and helping them realize and develop their own style.
What is the one thing no home should be without?
A sense of place. A home needs its own identity and personality. It should have a very specific spirit that speaks to the people who will live in the space—who will raise children and bake cookies there. Style is secondary; you can create a stylish house that’s by-the-book architecturally, but if you can capture that elusive, magical component—that sense of place—that’s when you really have a successful result.
What are you currently reading?
Right now, I’m reading “World Without End” by Ken Follett. It follows the life of a young architect/ craftsman/ builder through medieval England. It’s a very interesting combo of historical fiction and architectural history, both of which really fascinate me. I’m also reading “No Man is an Island” by Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk and spiritual writer.
The online design website NCDesignOnline.com featured this article originally with Asheville Architect, Amy Conner-Murphy, AIA, owner and principal architect at ACM Design.
View the article on their blog A show-and-tell. 
