Bill Doerge (1950-2021)

Principal, Cultural and Civic, Chicago

It is with profound sorrow that we share the news of our dear colleague Bill Doerge’s passing. For over 30 years, he enriched our lives and those of our clients with his wisdom and talents, interests, and humor.

Bill served as Managing Principal or Project Director for many of the firm’s most prestigious international projects, responsible for the overall performance and quality of the work performed by the Perkins&Will design team. He believed that good design needs to be, above all, functional and plan-driven: this pragmatic approach led him to work on complex projects across the globe. He earned the trust of international clients and colleagues. His influence has touched and improved the lives of people around the world through his thoughtful design of places for living, learning, healing, and exploring.

Some of his noteworthy projects include: the corporate headquarters for Boeing and Crate & Barrel; the Shanghai Nature Museum and Suzhou Science & Technology Museum in China; the Kenya Women & Children’s Wellness Center; and the Agostino Neto University in Angola.

Bill was one of a kind: a true maverick with an adventurous heart, who never hesitated to explore, build relationships, and deliver projects even in the most remote corners of the globe.

While we are filled with sadness over the passing of our beloved friend, we are also deeply grateful for having known, collaborated with, and learned from him. Bill’s legacy lives on in each project he touched.

Shanghai Fisherman’s Wharf Mixed-use Development
Shanghai, China
Chervon International Trading Company, Headquarters and Research
Nanjing, China
“Good design needs to be functional. It needs to be driven by the plan.”
Reliance Industries, Learning and Development Center
Navi Mumbai, India

Bill 's Featured Work

Work
Shanghai Natural History Museum
Shanghai, China
Work
Suzhou Science and Technology Museum
Suzhou, China
Aerial
Work
Shanghai Oriental Blue Ocean Plaza
Shanghai, China
Work
Skybridge
Chicago, Illinois