Ian Zapata

Ian Zapata is Corgan’s first Director of Design, leading the growth and recognition of the firm’s design presence and guiding Corgan’s engagement with the design community. With over 25 years of experience, he is known for his ability to create compelling, transformative designs while building lasting client relationships. Ian believes every project—big or small—deserves the same level of attention and care. His thoughtful collaboration and passion for meaningful design make him a true mentor and leader.

He is inspired by the description of cities as “ships that ferry one generation to the next,” a concept that has fueled his love of travel to learn how people have, over time, solved the problems of daily life.  “I’ve learned that good design is the skillful solution to a problem, but great design goes further—it solves problems while forging meaningful connections with people,” he says. “At its core, it’s about human experiences, and everything we create is built around that principle.”

Ian’s experience spans planning and design for major airport, hotel, office and corporate headquarters projects. He’s led a global practice focused on building transformation and is devoted to advancing our understanding of how we can future-proof our cities, create work destinations that drive engagement, navigate the complexities of ESG, and build a carbon-neutral future. 

Ian earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University. He has serves on the board of the Dallas Architecture Forum since 2012, where he has been President of the Board and chair of the Dallas Design Symposium.