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At Wilmot Sanz, we believe great healthcare design lives at the intersection of vision and precision—where creativity meets constructability. Few exemplify that philosophy more than Dorris Hwang, an experienced Project Architect and the firm’s newly appointed Technical Enclosure Director.
With a deep understanding of façade detailing, construction administration, and multidisciplinary collaboration, Dorris plays a critical role in delivering high-performance healthcare environments that are as technically sound as they are visually compelling. But her impact doesn’t end with wall sections or punch lists—she’s also a passionate advocate for creating spaces that support healing, foster dignity, and bring comfort to communities.
We caught up with Dorris to learn more about her journey into healthcare architecture, her love for both the big picture and the tiniest of details, and how a recent project helped push her career to the next level.
"I serve as a Project Architect and as the firm’s Technical Enclosure Director. I focus heavily on supporting exterior design and detailing across multiple project teams."
With her strong foundation in both design and construction, Dorris excels at bridging the gap between architectural concept and construction reality—ensuring that each building envelope is not only aesthetically aligned with the client’s goals, but also code-compliant, efficient, and durable.
“I enjoy balancing the big-picture perspective—client vision, cost, schedule—with the nitty-gritty of wall assemblies and technical detailing. A building reaches its full potential when interior and exterior design are in sync.”
In her new role as Technical Enclosure Director, Dorris helps maintain excellence in façade design and constructability across the firm’s portfolio—providing technical oversight, mentoring younger staff, and standardizing best practices.
“We spend nearly 90% of our time indoors. It seems only natural to be curious about the built environment that surrounds and shapes us every day.”
Dorris's fascination with how environments influence behavior and well-being sparked her interest in architecture early on. That curiosity eventually found its home in healthcare design, where she discovered a field grounded in both complex challenges and profound purpose.
“I’m drawn to the purpose behind healthcare environments—their ability to deliver dignity, comfort, and healing. Every project contributes to improving the lives of patients, families, and caregivers.”
“That project was delivered using Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), which was incredibly rewarding. The collaborative nature of IPD meant the design, construction, and owner teams all shared risks and rewards—we were in it together from start to finish.”
This unique project introduced state-of-the-art surgical and patient care services to a growing coastal community. For Dorris, the IPD process provided the opportunity to collaborate deeply with a diverse group of professionals—including clinicians, engineers, trade partners, and construction managers.
“IPD exposed me to many more stakeholder perspectives than traditional project delivery. It pushed me to grow as both a communicator and a problem-solver. Everyone was aligned on the same goal: delivering the best possible healthcare facility for the community.”
“My grandmother. She was a lifelong teacher and artist who encouraged me to explore creativity and appreciate the beauty of nature.”
Outside the office, Dorris brings that same appreciation for nature and artistry into her everyday life. Whether sketching along the canal, hiking a forest trail, or painting life-sized sculptures (yes, even a cow!), she seeks out opportunities to recharge and reflect—often finding design inspiration in the details of the natural world.
As she continues to grow in her leadership role at Wilmot Sanz, Dorris remains focused on excellence in design and execution. Her approach is both methodical and inspired—proof that technical rigor and creative expression are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary forces in successful architecture.
“At the end of the day, what motivates me is knowing that the buildings we design impact real people. My role is to make sure those environments are not just functional, but resilient, beautiful, and supportive of care.”
We are proud to celebrate Dorris’s contributions to the firm and to the healthcare architecture field at large. She is a quiet force—committed, creative, and deeply respected across every project team she supports.
