Meet Kevin Murar, the founder and principal engineer at Murar Engineering and Design, Inc. With over 30 years of experience, Kevin has seen—and designed—just about everything. Originally from Walla Walla, Washington, Kevin graduated with honors from the University of Washington in 1994, which he credits to both hard work and the occasional caffeine-fueled all-nighter. His engineering career kicked off in Sun Valley, Idaho, where he learned the art of designing buildings that could survive heavy snowfalls—and maybe a few avalanches, just in case. That early work planted the seed for a career focused on creating buildings that stand the test of time (and weather).
In 1997, Kevin made the leap to a larger firm, working on projects that took him from the Philippines to Iraq and back to the U.S. He earned his Professional Engineering (P.E.) license in Civil Engineering in 1998 and his Structural Engineering (S.E.) license in 2000, but not before spending what felt like an eternity at construction sites. Those years spent navigating the world of international projects taught Kevin how to handle everything from collapsing structures (not any he designed) to navigating time zone chaos—all while keeping projects on track.
After a “learning experience” in building his own house (we won’t go into the contractor mishaps), Kevin officially founded Murar Engineering and Design, Inc. in 2004. What started as a one-man operation grew into a full-fledged business as Kevin personally oversaw every project, making sure designs were not only safe but also actually practical for contractors to build. In 2007, Kevin expanded his practice to Hawaii, juggling projects that needed to survive hurricanes, earthquakes, and the occasional tsunami (but not flowing lava). He and his family eventually returned to Boise in 2011, where Kevin continues managing projects from both Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest.
When he’s not designing fail resistant structures, Kevin can be found tackling mountains (literally), running trails, biking, kayaking, and skiing. If it involves sweat and altitude, he’s in. He’s also known for enjoying Boise’s arts scene and solving everyday problems with the help of a strong cup of coffee. And in a surprise twist, Kevin is a Taylor Swift fan, frequently belting out “Shake It Off” with his daughter. Don’t worry, though—he’s still working on his stage presence. It’s a work in progress.
