About GrizForm
GrizForm Design Architects are improving the built environment one project at a time. Founded in 2003, we are a leading hospitality design and architecture firm with award-winning work and a team that prides itself on its craftsmanship, strong attention to detail, awareness of historical context, and innovation. Our firm produces creative solutions for clients, which include contemporary design concepts, cutting-edge ways to solve design and architectural problems, and approaches to help push the design envelope further through the incorporation of unique materials or subtle historical references. Along with our strong interior design and architectural capabilities, we design and build custom pieces — from lighting to furniture — to bring our client’s vision to life.
Our team understands the business of our projects’ operations. We work our designs around the real-world necessity of staffing needs, overhead, and returns on investment. The result: designs that are not only beautiful, but also functional and profitable.
Griz Dwight AIA LEED AP,
Principal & Owner
Griz Dwight grew up in a handmade barn in Vermont and has loved architecture ever since. He spent his youthful winters ski racing and his summers working construction. Dwight received his Bachelor of Arts from Williams College with a major in studio art. He then decided to combine his love of buildings and his construction experience with the design ideas developed in the art studio. Dwight graduated in the top of his class at the University of Pennsylvania receiving his Masters of Architecture and moved to Washington, D.C. in 1999.
With a “no risk it, no biscuit” attitude, Dwight decided to open his own firm to take design risks, push the design envelope, and commit to doing things that haven’t been done before. “It’s when you take that big chance, building excitement and being adventurous, that you create the potential for something special to happen” said Dwight. In 2008, Griz was the winner of AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award and in 2015 was selected as one of the Wave of the Future designers from Hospitality Design Magazine. The awards recognize individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and have made significant contributions to the profession in an early stage of their architectural career.
Joseph McKenley AIA
Project Architect
Joseph McKenley is a licensed architect in Washington D.C. He is originally from Kingston, Jamaica, where he obtained his bachelor’s of arts in architectural studies. McKenley completed his architectural training at the University of Maryland where he received his master’s of architecture. His master's thesis, “Crafting Conversations,” proposed a new national gallery of art for Kingston, for which he was awarded the King Student Medal for Excellence in Architectural and Environmental Design Research.
In addition to practicing architecture, McKenley is a design studio lecturer at the University of Maryland School of Architecture. He is also actively involved in the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture (AIA|DC), where he serves as Director-at-Large on the board and most recently as the Past Chair for the Emerging Architects Committee (EAC).
McKenley looks forward to leveraging his background and expertise to provide thoughtful design solutions to his clients at GrizForm Design Architects.
Tamara Dennis-Gamage
Architectural Designer
Tamara Dennis-Gamage loves people and learning about other cultures. She believes in the ability of design to strengthen social ties, shape communities, and affect social change. For this reason, she begins every project with humility, compassion, and respect for all.
Tamara developed a passion for architecture late in her college career and quickly made the transition from science to architecture. She found this process exciting as she realized the similarities between the scientific method and design thinking.
After earning a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Masters of Architecture from the University of Virginia, Tamara began practicing architecture in New York City. Before joining the GrizFrom team, she worked as the lead designer on residential, commercial, and religious projects.
Tamara Enjoys collaborating with clients, consultants, and coworkers to create beautiful and functional places and spaces for people to socialize.
Melissa Morreale
Designer
Melissa Morreale’s passion for art and design began at a young age, when she was always searching for new outlets to express her creativity. After studying Interior Design at Marymount University, including a semester studying architecture and design at the Lorenzo de Medici school in Florence, her passion grew exponentially.
With experience working in the luxury furniture industry as well as residential interior design, Melissa brings her knowledge of custom furniture and creative problem solving to the table at GrizForm Design Architects. Melissa’s personal design philosophy involves combining classic architectural elements with modern furniture pieces, layering in textures and unexpected materials to create an interesting, multi-dimensional design.
In Melissa’s free time she enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, checking out local galleries, traveling, and trying new restaurants. Melissa is currently working toward National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and LEED certifications.
Heather Engler
Finance Director
Heather has worked in politics, law and finance for most of her career. She is an attorney, and holds a BA, MA and JD from The George Washington University. Most of her accounting work has been with Attorneys, Architects, Physicians, and Real Estate Brokerages. She has advised on financial organization and streamlined internal processes for her clients. She enjoys City Life and Southern Sweet Tea, splitting her time between Washington, DC and Charleston, SC with her husband and toddler.