Ian Zapata Joins Corgan as Director of Design, Championing Aesthetic Excellence and High-Design
DALLAS — Global architecture and design firm Corgan is pleased to announce that Ian Zapata has joined the firm as its Director of Design—a role that will champion the firm’s leadership in design and innovation within the global design community. As Director of Design, Zapata will continue to advance Corgan’s design philosophy while helping imbed elevated, data-driven, and sustainable design principles in the firm’s work across sectors including aviation and mobility, data centers, education, government, health, mixed-use, multifamily, office, and workplace.
Zapata’s appointment at Corgan is, in many ways, a homecoming — he began his career as an architectural intern with the firm more than 25 years ago. With a portfolio spanning design and planning for airport, hotel, office, and corporate headquarters projects, he brings multifaceted experience to the role. Zapata states, “At its core, design is about human experiences, and everything we create is built around that principle.” He leaned on this as he led a global practice focused on building transformation and revitalizing cities, creating work destinations that drive engagement, and advancing carbon-neutral design. Renowned for his ability to create transformative designs that resonate with clients and communities, his design philosophy emphasizes the intersection of creativity, collaboration, and impact.
“We are thrilled to have Ian in this important design leadership role at Corgan,” said Lindsay Wilson, President and Interiors Sector Leader. “His vision for design excellence—grounded in a global perspective and intentional collaboration—will further strengthen our ability to deliver innovative, high-impact spaces.”
Zapata’s appointment underscores Corgan’s dedication to advancing high design and sustainable architecture. He states, "We are at a pivotal moment of accelerated change—fueled by AI, big data, and the evolution of how people work, interact, and socialize. This shift challenges us to rethink not only buildings but also the very spaces where people connect. At Corgan, we embrace this transformation with curiosity by piloting innovative ideas, empowering our designers, and investing in future leaders while serving as a steady hand to guide our clients.”
A key focus of the Director of Design role will be nurturing and developing the next generation of architects and designers. Zapata’s leadership reflects a deeply-held belief that innovation stems from diverse perspectives coming together to solve problems—a philosophy that aligns with Corgan’s collaborative culture. The role is a platform for design evolution and fostering future leaders.
A registered architect and LEED AP, Zapata has served on the board of the Dallas Architecture Forum since 2012 and has been president of the board and chair of the Dallas Design Symposium. He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental design from Texas A&M University.
Known for world-class client service and project delivery, Corgan has grown rapidly in the past five years and now has a total of 19 offices on three continents. The firm’s growth has been fueled in part by the continued development of exceptional, award-winning talent.
Ranked the fourth-largest architecture firm in the U.S. by Building Design + Construction, Corgan was founded 87 years ago and provides full architectural design services. Further, the firm is ranked No. 6 overall in Interior Design Magazine’s Giants of design in 2024, and The American Society of Interiors Designers named Corgan the 2024 “Firm of the Year.”
ABOUT CORGAN
Corgan is an employee-owned architecture and design firm with 19 locations and more than 1,000 team members globally. The firm, ranked as the No. 4 architecture firm by Building Design + Construction, works with clients in a variety of sectors including aviation and mobility, data centers, education, health, mixed-use, multifamily, office, and workplace. Founded in 1938, Corgan has developed a strong reputation for agility in design by anticipating marketplace changes and leading clients to thoughtful, data-driven design solutions. Its research insights and design expertise empower the organization to foresee emerging changes and develop solutions that minimize risk, create flexibility, and maximize longevity. To learn more about Corgan, visit www.corgan.com.
