Corgan Taps Sabu Song to Steer Design Vision Amid Aggressive LA Expansion

LOS ANGELES, CA – July 07, 2026 – Global architecture and design firm Corgan has appointed award-winning architect Sabu Song as a Studio Design Director and Associate Principal in its Los Angeles office. The move is a clear signal of the firm's deepening commitment to the West Coast, coming on the heels of major project wins and a significant physical expansion in one of the world's most competitive architectural markets.

Song, an architect with over two decades of experience, is tasked with helping to lead design vision and execution. Her appointment is designed to bolster Corgan’s design-forward approach as it undertakes some of the region's most complex and high-profile infrastructure and development projects.

A Strategic Move in a Competitive Arena

Sabu Song’s arrival is not an isolated event but the latest and most prominent move in Corgan's calculated expansion strategy in Southern California. The firm's Los Angeles team has experienced rapid growth, fueled by its central role in transforming the region's transportation hubs. This past March, the company unveiled a new 40,000-square-foot Los Angeles office, a physical manifestation of its ambitions. The space, designed to support a variety of workstyles, features a state-of-the-art broadcast studio, two terraces, a community café, and a model shop where architects can fabricate 3D models and life-sized mock-ups—a tangible investment in innovation and collaboration.

This expansion is directly tied to the firm's success in securing large-scale, impactful projects. Corgan has been a key architectural force behind the multi-billion-dollar modernization of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), including the new West Gates at Tom Bradley International Terminal. Now, the firm is co-designing the new $1.3 billion terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), a project set to redefine the passenger experience and set new standards for sustainability.

The hiring of a design leader with Song’s reputation is seen as a strategic imperative to guide this growth. “We are thrilled to welcome Sabu to our Los Angeles studio,” said Ian Zapata, Director of Design at Corgan. “Her ability to lead with both creativity and precision, while fostering collaborative and high-performing teams, will further strengthen our design culture and the impact we deliver across our work.”

The Visionary Behind the Title

Sabu Song brings a portfolio that spans arts and culture, aviation, retail, mixed-use residential, and office environments, decorated with accolades like the IIDA Global Award, Interior Design Best of Year Award, and AIA Best Institute Award. Her design philosophy emphasizes a dual commitment to creative excellence and social responsibility, a perspective she articulated upon joining the firm.

“At its best, design is both an act of creative expression and a responsibility to people, place, and the future—one that shapes how people connect, create and thrive,” said Song. “I’m excited to join Corgan, a firm that values both the rigor of process and the power of design to create meaningful impact for clients and communities.”

Known for a concept-driven methodology and meticulous attention to detail, Song has built a reputation for cultivating studio environments that elevate both the quality of the work and the professional growth of the team. This focus on mentorship and culture aligns with Corgan's status as an employee-owned firm and its recognition as one of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Best Places to Work. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, rooting her practice in both broad environmental context and rigorous architectural discipline.

Redefining Southern California's Architectural Landscape

The most visible evidence of Corgan's influence—and where Song's leadership will be critical—is in the reinvention of Southern California's airports. The "Elevate BUR" project at Hollywood Burbank Airport is a prime example of the firm's forward-looking approach. Set for completion in late 2026, the new 355,000-square-foot, 14-gate terminal is designed to be fully electric, making it only the second airport in the U.S. to achieve this milestone. The project is targeting LEED Gold certification, incorporating solar technology and native, water-conserving landscapes.

The design itself merges technological innovation with cultural storytelling, drawing inspiration from "old Hollywood glamour" with a "silver screen" motif. This blend of performance and placemaking is a hallmark of the sophisticated, user-centric design that top-tier firms are now expected to deliver. Song's experience in arts and culture projects will be invaluable in executing such narrative-rich environments.

This follows Corgan's work at LAX, where it served as a key partner in delivering projects like the 15-gate West Gates concourse and the Terminal 4 Connector, demonstrating its capability to handle immense logistical, technical, and design challenges. This track record, which has contributed to a 98% repeat-client rate, provides a powerful platform for its expanding Los Angeles studio.

The War for Talent and the Future of Design

Song’s appointment highlights a defining trend in the architecture industry: the intense competition for top-tier talent as a primary driver of innovation and market leadership. In a dense and dynamic market like Los Angeles, where firms such as Gensler, AECOM, and HKS vie for landmark projects, strategic hires are as crucial as project bids. Bringing in a leader like Song is an investment in intellectual capital, intended to elevate the firm's creative identity and its ability to solve complex urban challenges.

Corgan, ranked among the top architecture firms in the nation by both Architectural Record and Building Design + Construction, has long paired its design ambitions with technological prowess. As one of the first firms to integrate virtual reality into its design process and with a commitment to data-driven solutions, it seeks leaders who can operate at the intersection of art and science. Song’s emphasis on blending craft, strategy, and execution fits seamlessly into this ethos. Her leadership is expected to not only shape the aesthetic of Corgan's future projects but also to reinforce the collaborative, research-based culture that the firm believes is essential to designing environments where clients and communities can thrive.