Corgan Expands into North Carolina with Duda|Paine Architects Acquisition
Corgan, a global architecture and design firm, has expanded its presence in North Carolina by welcoming Duda|Paine Architects, an internationally recognized architecture practice based in Durham, into the firm. The addition strengthens Corgan’s position in the Research Triangle, a major U.S. center for innovation, higher education, technology and research.
The move gives Corgan an established presence in Durham while bringing together two architecture practices with complementary expertise, design philosophies and client relationships. Duda|Paine’s experience in commercial office, higher education, research and wellness-oriented environments is expected to enhance Corgan’s broader portfolio and create new opportunities for collaboration.
The expansion also reflects Corgan’s continued strategy of growing its geographic reach while strengthening its capabilities in important architectural markets.
Expanding in the Research Triangle
Durham and the wider Research Triangle region have become increasingly important hubs for technology, education, scientific research and economic development. The area is home to major universities, research institutions and companies, creating strong demand for innovative workplaces, educational facilities, research environments and mixed-use developments.
By establishing a stronger presence in Durham, Corgan can position itself closer to clients and projects throughout the region.
Corgan CEO Scott Ruch said the two firms have known and worked alongside one another for years and share a strong alignment in their approach to architecture and design.
He highlighted Duda|Paine’s recognized expertise, design talent and established client relationships as important additions to Corgan’s practice. The combination is expected to strengthen areas such as office and higher education design while expanding Corgan’s presence in a strategically significant market.
Nearly Three Decades of Architectural Experience
Duda|Paine Architects was founded in 1997 by Turan Duda, FAIA, and Jeffrey Paine, FAIA, who retired in 2025. Over nearly three decades, the practice has developed an international reputation for thoughtful architecture, collaborative client relationships and an ideas-driven approach to design.
Its portfolio spans several important sectors, including commercial office, higher education, research and wellness-focused environments.
The firm has worked with major corporations, universities, academic institutions and research organizations across the United States and internationally. Its work has emphasized the relationship between architecture, people and the missions of the organizations occupying the spaces.
This experience provides Corgan with additional expertise in sectors that are closely connected to the continued growth of knowledge-based economies.
Maintaining a Strong Design Culture
While joining a larger organization provides access to broader resources, Duda|Paine intends to preserve the design principles that have shaped its work.
Turan Duda, founding principal and design partner at Duda|Paine, said the practice has always focused on creating buildings that positively influence people while supporting the missions of their clients.
He said becoming part of Corgan will provide the team with access to expanded creative, technical and corporate resources. The partnership will also create opportunities to work across a wider range of projects, clients, markets and geographic locations.
At the same time, Duda emphasized the importance of maintaining the design culture, creativity and client-focused approach that helped establish Duda|Paine’s reputation.
The integration therefore represents an opportunity to combine the resources of a larger global practice with the specialized design expertise and identity of an established regional firm.
Strengthening Collaboration and Client Service
The partnership is also built around a shared belief in collaboration and curiosity. Both organizations view design as a process that requires a deep understanding of clients, users and the communities in which buildings are located.
Corgan President Lindsay Wilson noted that the firms have collaborated professionally for many years. She also highlighted the longstanding relationship between Corgan leadership and Duda|Paine’s principals.
According to Wilson, bringing the two organizations together creates an opportunity to expand their collective impact while maintaining a strong commitment to design quality and client excellence.
The combination could allow teams from both firms to collaborate on larger and more complex projects while sharing technical expertise, resources and industry knowledge.
Supporting Corgan’s Continued Growth
The addition of Duda|Paine is another step in Corgan’s broader expansion strategy. The firm serves clients across a wide range of architectural markets, including aviation and transportation, commercial, cultural, data centers, education, healthcare, hospitality and retail, mixed-use, multifamily residential, office and workplace projects.
Corgan has been recognized as one of the leading architecture firms in the United States, ranking No. 4 by Architectural Record and Building Design + Construction.
The addition of Duda|Paine further broadens the firm’s geographic and sector capabilities while strengthening its presence in an area experiencing significant investment in technology, education, research and commercial development.
A New Chapter for Both Firms
The integration of Duda|Paine into Corgan represents more than a geographic expansion. It brings together two firms with established reputations and a shared commitment to thoughtful, high-quality design.
For Corgan, the move creates a stronger platform in North Carolina and the wider Research Triangle. For Duda|Paine, joining Corgan provides access to greater resources and new opportunities while allowing its team to continue building on its established design legacy.
As demand grows for innovative workplaces, research facilities, educational environments and other specialized buildings, the combined capabilities of the two firms could position them to pursue new opportunities across North Carolina and beyond.
The partnership ultimately reflects a broader trend within the architecture and construction industry: established design practices are increasingly seeking strategic combinations that provide greater scale, technical resources and geographic reach without losing the creativity and client relationships that define their work.
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