Dorris Hwang, RA, EDAC, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Associate, technical enclosure director, Wilmot Sanz (Rockville, Md.)

During her nine years in healthcare design, Dorris Hwang has led a wide range of healthcare renovation, expansion, and new construction projects for community hospitals, regional health systems, and academic medical institutions.

As technical enclosure director at Wilmot Sanz, she’s raised attention to the importance of exterior design in both her project work and in her work with numerous industry associations. “Enclosures are the first thing you see,” she says. “They may look simple, but underneath, they have so much more than meets the eye. It’s like a great rain jacket—not just fashionable, but one that keeps you warm, comfortable, and comes with an umbrella.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Washington (Seattle) and started in 2015 as an architect at Wilmot Sanz. She also serves on the Building Enclosure Council (Washington, D.C.), as well as the Maryland Chapter of Women in Healthcare.

One of her first projects at the firm was a 466,000-square-foot adaptive-reuse project for Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C., where she redeveloped a former high-security corporate headquarters into a cancer center. The project included re-cladding the existing building exterior to create a bright, welcoming destination—a technically complex implementation that served as early inspiration for the evolution of her career.

Her expertise in future-proofing exteriors to drive improved resilience, flexibility, and sustainability has continued to evolve over the years through projects such as the Beebe Healthcare Specialty Surgical Hospital on the provider’s Abessinio Health Campus in Rehoboth Beach, Del. For this 135,000-square-foot project, Hwang led the development of a new signature exterior flyover element that acts as a wayfinding landmark. She also guided implementation of a sustainable building envelope system with multiple layers of protection at tie-in points to maximize flexibility for future horizontal and vertical expansions.

On a 150,000-square-foot bed tower and emergency department renovation and expansion for Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, Md., Hwang developed robust air and water testing protocols to ensure a high-performance enclosure for the project, which adjoined new and old buildings of varying heights at highly sensitive clinical treatment areas.

She also believes strongly in the value of the exterior enclosure to create a positive first impression for patients, staff, and visitors as well as to help bring the outdoors in. For LifeBridge Health’s new 125,000-square-foot Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, she led efforts to develop a rooftop plaza along a daylit public lounge space and created a cantilevered canopy for the front entrance.

Her leadership in exterior design serves to bridge aesthetic and technical considerations, enhance quality control, and push the envelope with sustainable solutions that improve the industry.

Path to healthcare design: As a young architecture student volunteering in an emergency department, I observed firsthand how the built environment affected patients and staff. I was drawn to the healthcare profession because I strongly believe in its guiding principles: to improve the well-being of its inhabitants, to support them during times of need, and to enrich their experiences throughout significant life events. I eventually chose to pursue my passion for designing healthcare facilities at a healthcare-focused design firm, Wilmot Sanz.

Describe your design approach: Holistic design to improve ecological and human health.

On your desk now: I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with our forward-thinking clients at Holy Cross Health over the past several years. In my current sustainability-focused role, I’m helping to identify building performance strategies as part of an overall energy conservation master-planning effort on its Silver Spring, Md., campus. This comprehensive initiative will help reduce their carbon footprint and inform their sustainability goals over the next 10 years.

Most rewarding project to date: Transforming a high-security headquarters into a welcoming, comprehensive care center at Inova Health System’s Schar Cancer Institute was incredibly rewarding. By integrating indoor-outdoor spaces, maximizing reuse opportunities, and collaborating closely with stakeholders, we were able to create an inviting, light-filled, calming environment that meets the highest patient care standards.

What success means to you: Creating spaces that enhance people’s lives, especially during their most vulnerable moments, while also balancing the environmental effects of the built environment. I measure success by the positive impact my designs have on the healthcare community, from enhancing patient well-being to fostering a strong sense of place and nature within each unique site context. Ultimately, it’s about leaving a legacy through thoughtful, sustainable architecture.

Industry challenge on your radar: The healthcare design industry must accelerate sustainability efforts. From reducing energy consumption in 24/7 facilities to selecting durable, renewable materials, we can create healthier environments while protecting our planet. This requires collaboration among designers, healthcare systems, and manufacturers to develop and employ sustainable products that meet stringent healthcare performance standards.

Must-have skill for healthcare designers today: Adaptability is crucial for success in healthcare design. The industry is constantly evolving with new technologies, regulations, and environmental challenges. To thrive, designers must be agile, curious about new ideas, and open to exploring alternative solutions. This flexibility allows us to respond effectively to changing needs and create innovative, healthy spaces.

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