Corgan — Hugo

Elevating data-driven design research around the human experience

Where curiosity becomes real-world impact

Hugo is Corgan’s research and innovation group, where curiosity becomes real‑world impact. We use data, testing, and experimentation to help architects, owners, and developers anticipate change—and design for what’s next.

Hugo exists to explore emerging ideas—then translate what we learn into practical strategies, tools, and design decisions that matter today. By combining research rigor with Corgan’s design expertise, Hugo helps projects move beyond assumptions toward evidence‑based outcomes.

Samantha Flores

Applied Research

We study how spaces, systems, and materials actually perform—environmentally, experientially, and socially. Hugo’s applied research produces actionable insights that inform design decisions, policy conversations, and client strategies.

Outcome‑driven, evidence‑based, grounded in real projects.

Rethinking Schools for Teachers with Disabilities

Learn More

EPScrete: Rethinking Styrofoam Waste as a Potential Green Building Material

Learn More

Focus by Design — What the ADHD brain teaches us about better workspaces for all

Learn More

Residency Reshaped

Learn More

Tools & Methodologies

Hugo develops practical tools that make complex data usable—early in the design process, when decisions matter most. From carbon calculators to evaluation frameworks, our innovative tools help teams design with clarity and confidence.

Research you can actually use.

Design Sprints & Prototypes

We rapidly explore “what if?” through focused design sprints, speculative concepts, and physical or digital prototypes. These experiments allow teams to test emerging typologies, technologies, and user behaviors before they become business risks.

Fast, iterative, and intentionally exploratory.