Designing with purpose: Carla Murillo-González on Architecture, wellness, and resilience

By Michelle Vargas 

March 30, 2025

Youthcast Media Group® 

As a Latina woman in architecture, Carla Murillo-González is a minority within a minority– only 20% of architects are women, and only 6% are Hispanic or Latinx, according to data from the National Council of Architectural Boards. Murillo-González is a healthcare project manager at HKS, where she says she specializes in designing healthcare spaces that support healing and well-being. She collaborates with teams to design environments that foster comfort, efficiency, and positive patient outcomes. 

It’s been a long and sometimes difficult path to reach where she is today – a 20-year veteran of architecture who handles complex healthcare projects domestically and internationally, with a master's degree in public health. A native of Honduras, Murillo-González recently spoke to Youthcast Media Group about her education and career path, the impact of her mother’s early death and her advice for others who want to work in architecture. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

When did you realize architecture was the path you wanted to take? 

At a very early age, I saw my sister, who is nine years older than I am, go through the architectural program. I really got inspired seeing her through the program and putting [in] the long hours. But what seemed so fun were the outcomes of her projects and the drawings and the models. And I could tell she felt very proud of her products, and also she made good friends and had a very collaborative environment and always seemed to be having fun doing the work. That made me see how she was and want to do something similar. 

Why do you think it's important to have diversity and inclusivity in fields such as architecture? 

It's so important because we bring so many different kinds of thoughts and inclusive thinking, and that triggers innovation. At times, we can get into a pattern of repeating the same methods or the same processes of solving problems. But when we bring diversity into the mix, that promotes innovation and promotes different ways of thinking while including several backgrounds. As architects, we are problem solvers. Therefore, being able to work in a collaborative environment where we have different minds and different ways of thinking, different ways (of) seeing the problem and coming up with several solutions is very important and needed in order to get the best outcomes. 

Did your cultural background offer a unique perspective or advantage in your architectural education/professional work? 

It did, and I’ve only realized it now. This is because the role models I had were women who persevered and succeeded, even though they faced obstacles along the way. They overcame those challenges, and that strong culture within my family and where I grew up made me someone who doesn’t give up easily. I’ve learned to be patient, and I now value those aspects of myself that have shaped who I am today. When I collaborate with my colleagues, I bring something different to the table. Sometimes it’s hard to be

different, but those unique ideas and perspectives can lead to new solutions, innovative ways of solving problems, and better collaboration. Teamwork, being true to yourself, and contributing everything you have can ultimately benefit the whole team. 

Did your family/community support your decision to pursue architecture? If so, how did they encourage you? If not, how did you overcome those challenges? 

I never felt like my family was against my decision to become an architect. All of my siblings were expected to go to college and pursue a career—it wasn’t even a question. We were supported all the way through, from beginning to end, in whatever way our parents could help us. I understand that not everyone has that privilege. Many people might feel that their parents don’t support them going to college because it’s expensive and can be a scary path. I’m not saying that college is the right path for everyone. But if pursuing higher education is something you want and feel strongly about—if it aligns with your skills and who you are—it’s important to go for it, even if your parents aren’t able to support you. There are always teachers, mentors, and other people who can help you find ways to accomplish your goals. If you feel passionate about your path, it’s worth giving it a try. Seek out support from trusted adults around you, build those relationships, and connect with people who offer different perspectives. This way, you can make your own decisions based on what you believe is right. 

How difficult was it to enter and succeed in a male-dominated field like architecture? 

It is a male-dominated field, but I did have role models, which I think helped me. For example, my sister, but (also) my mother, who was an anesthesiologist. I also looked up to her and her achievements as a woman, also in a male-dominant profession. Because back when she went to school, she was the only woman in medical school, and she was  one of the first female anesthesiologists in Honduras. So looking at those role models… I never saw a barrier or a ‘you cannot be this,’ because I saw that they could and they were, so I knew that I could too. 

What advice would you give to people who want to succeed in the architecture field but have financial challenges related to college and work experience? 

I grew up in Honduras, where my parents practiced medicine after training in the United States. My mother was sick and passed away when I was 15, which brought hardships, including financial ones. So you can never assume someone’s situation—you need the full picture. After high school, I came to the U.S. to pursue my career but had to return to Honduras to finish my architectural degree due to those financial difficulties. But I didn’t give up. My advice to anyone going through an expensive program, where you need costly tools and materials, is to keep pushing forward. There’s always a way to get where you want to go, but you need to find resources and support. Don’t try to solve everything on your own—you’ll feel overwhelmed, and that’s when people tend to quit. Find mentors and trusted adults who can help you problem-solve. Build a network of people who can offer ideas, resources, or connections you might not know about, such as grants or scholarships. Collaboration is key, and having a community you can reach out to makes a big difference. So don’t quit—keep going and find that support system to help you reach your goals.

Michelle Vargas is a senior at Annandale High School in Annandale, Va., and wrote this story in collaboration with Youthcast Media Group’s mentoring journalists.