Multifamily architect Mark Humphreys, AIA, NCARB, passed away Monday, Jan. 3. He was 67.
Humphreys founded the Dallas-based Humphreys & Partners Architects (HPA), which has provided design services for hundreds of thousands of apartments in the U.S. as well as internationally, three decades ago.
The award-winning firm will continue to operate under the leadership of HPA president Greg Faulkner and chief innovation officer Walter Hughes. Humphreys recruited Faulkner, who he had worked with at another architectural firm in Dallas, to join him in 1991. Hughes joined the firm in 1994, right out of The University of Texas at Austin.
“Mark was an amazing person, businessman, and architect, who truly built a legacy that will last for many years to come,” said Hughes. “To me, he was a friend, and I will miss him most for that. We are deeply saddened by this loss of an industry icon, and our thoughts are with his wife, Emily, his children, and his family.”
According to the firm, Humphreys displayed a talent for the arts and architecture at an early age, leading him to enroll in the College of Architecture at Texas Tech University. He funded his education by working at an engineering firm and for a local multifamily developer. He began designing apartments and homes on the side and was advised by a professor to take business classes, which was just the start for him.
“Mark was a visionary and a great mentor and business partner, who could clearly see the future of multifamily architectural design and then bring it to life with incredible business acumen,” Faulkner said. “He completely transformed the business and creative aspects of architecture in the multifamily industry. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on for a long time through the firm and its employees.”
Humphreys was active in the multifamily industry and was a member of AIA, the National Association of Home Builders’ Multifamily Leadership Board, the National Multifamily Housing Council’s Chairman’s Circle and board of directors, Urban Land Institute, ICSC, and the U.S. Green Building Council. He also volunteered at Texas Tech University’s Architecture School and was the largest single donor to the school, where he funded the AIA chair in urban design.
In addition to HPA, he founded One Humphreys, the parent company to HPA that also operates HPA Design, HP Civil Engineering, HPLA Studio, Atticus Real Estate, and Glass Recycled Surfaces.
He is survived by his wife, Emily; his children, Jessica Humphreys Baxter, Cassandra Guerrero, and Stephanie Humphreys; and stepchildren Mary and Joseph Hastings. He also is survived by brothers Larry and Dave Humphreys and sister Kay Osborn.