The Clinton Sheerr Award for Excellence in NH Architecture

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2022 Clinton Sheerr Award Bestowed on Alyssa Murphy, AIA

Alyssa Manypenny Murphy, AIA, recipient of the 2022 Clinton Sheerr Award for Excellence in NH Architecture, is being honored for her commitment to advancing the architecture profession in New Hampshire and beyond. Murphy, founder and principal of Placework in Portsmouth, is the Editor of AIANH’s quarterly magazine, Forum, a past president of AIANH, and currently serves as New Hampshire’s representative to the national AIA Strategic Council.

Murphy received her award during the AIANH Awards Gala on September 22, from 2019 Sheerr Award recipient Dennis Mires AIA. The Sheerr Award is presented in memory of Clinton Sheerr, an acclaimed New Hampshire architect who died in 1997. The highest honor bestowed by AIANH, the Sheerr Award was established to recognize outstanding architects who exemplify Sheerr’s dedication to the architecture and environment of the Granite State.

Creating transformative design and building a business that’s “a force for good” have been goals of Murphy and her partner Brian Murphy, AIA, since they founded their firm in 2012. Recently Placework became a Certified B Corporation, the first New Hampshire architecture firm to earn this designation. B Corps demonstrate the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The company has also earned a Just label, issued by the International Living Future Institute, for demonstrating accountability and fostering transparency in its business practices. Murphy believes that communication is an important key to creating positive change. An accomplishment for which she has been recognized is leading the transformation of AIANH’s Forum from a black and white newsletter to a quarterly magazine that highlights the issues and accomplishments of architects throughout New Hampshire. She was inspired to serve as New Hampshire’s first delegate to the AIA Strategic Council based on the AIA’s current twin strategic goals of Climate Action and Equity. These are values that her practice is built on, and that she seeks to engender within the architectural community and the general public.

Prior to founding Placework in 2012, Murphy led education and multi-family housing projects in New York City. At Placework, she leads projects that serve communities for municipal, higher education, and institutional clients.

“Alyssa is an incredible advocate for the environment and equity in architecture. Her work in her firm, as a member and past president of AIANH, and currently as the NH delegate to the AIA Strategic Council, Alyssa’s commitment to the profession and its ethics is truly inspiring.” – Mike Petrovick, AIA, 2022 President AIANH

Alyssa Murphy pictured with Dennis Mires and Dan Scully, both previous recipients of the Clinton Sheerr Award.   Photo by John Hession