Houston Architecture & Design Summit

Wed May 13, 2026

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Houston Architecture & Design Summit

Exploring how density, climate response, and cultural identity are converging to shape Houston’s next chapter—locally rooted, globally relevant

Wednesday May 13 2026 @ 8:00 AM CDT

$124.00

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Speakers and Panels

Evan Peterson

Principal, Radom Capital

Anna Deans

EVP, Midway

Kirby Liu

Managing Director & Lead Designer, Lovett

Kimberly Phipps-Nichol

VP, Friends of Columbia Tap Trail

Emily Moore

Lead Designer & Principal, DLR Group

Corey Wilson

Corey Wilson announced as first president and CEO of Emancipation Park Conservancy Experienced park executive to lead growth, preserve historic park, and expand community and cultural programs HOUSTON, Jan. 28, 2026 — Emancipation Park Conservancy (EPC) is proud to announce that, following an extensive and thoughtful national search, its board of directors has named Corey Wilson as the organization’s first president and CEO. Wilson’s appointment marks a pivotal step in EPC’s continued growth and long-term stewardship of Houston’s oldest public park. He brings more than 13 years of executive leadership experience in parks and recreation to the role. “Corey brings both a deep appreciation and understanding of Emancipation Park’s history and a clear vision for its future,” said EPC Board Chair Ramon Manning. “His expertise and demonstrated track record in parks and recreation, budgeting and planning while leading transformational projects will be essential to our continued work in the community and will continue to drive momentum in the investments made to the park while honoring its legacy and ensuring it remains a vital community asset for generations to come.” Before joining EPC, Wilson spent 13 years at the Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC), where he served first as chief of management and business services before being promoted to superintendent. As superintendent, Wilson directed operations for the nationally recognized park system serving more than 1 million residents annually, overseeing a staff of more than 1,000 employees and managing a $115 million annual budget across more than 175 parks and 6,000 acres. Under his leadership, BREC won the 2022 National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal award for “Best Park System in the Country.” Wilson also brings an additional 11 years of experience both in- house legal counsel and chief executive positions overseeing finance, human resources, information technology, and communications divisions. “It’s an honor and privilege to step into this role and contribute to the stewardship of such a historically significant greenspace asset,” said Wilson. “Emancipation Park stands as a symbol to resilience, community, and progress. I look forward to working with EPC’s staff and board of directors, as well as community partners and funders to preserve and celebrate that legacy. As we enter this new chapter, I’m excited to deepen the park’s impact while staying true to the values it has always represented.” As president and CEO, Wilson will provide leadership and operational oversight to ensure the organization advances EPC’s core programmatic pillars: education, economic empowerment, health and wellness, and arts and culture. Wilson joins EPC at a pivotal moment in its transformational history, as the organization moves forward with an $18.5 million project to enhance its role as a cultural and community hub in Houston’s historic Third Ward. The expansion includes a new 5,000-square-foot state-of-the-art outdoor performance stage, renovations to the 11,000-square-foot cultural center with digital enhancements by using technology to improve the visitor experience while expanding programming capabilities. Established in 1872 by formerly enslaved individuals, Emancipation Park is one of the oldest public parks in Texas. Wilson earned his Bachelor of Arts in business administration and accounting from Morehouse College and his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

Emancipation Park Conservancy

President & CEO

Corey Wilson

President & CEO, Emancipation Park Conservancy

Moderator

Adam Cryer

President, Pinnacle Structural Engineers

Why You Should Attend This Houston Architecture & Design Event

What We'll Cover:

How luxury amenities are evolving in Houston real estate, blending hospitality-inspired design, wellness-forward features, and resort-style experiences with local culture, climate realities, and everyday functionality across multifamily, mixed-use, and residential developments.
How architecture, placemaking, and urban design reflect Houston’s cultural diversity, shaping neighborhood identity, inclusivity, tenant demand, and long-term value across the city’s most dynamic districts.
The continued rise of mixed-use, institutional, and residential towers in Houston, driven by demand for walkability, urban living, downtown revitalization, and the transformation of business districts into livable, connected neighborhoods.
How adaptive reuse and redevelopment strategies are repositioning aging and underutilized assets, particularly office buildings, amid oversupply, rising construction costs, capital constraints, and evolving market demand in Houston’s urban core.
The growing affordable housing challenge in Houston, including how developers, policymakers, owners, and nonprofit partners are navigating preservation, financing feasibility, density trade-offs, and new development constraints.
Investment in public spaces, green corridors, and civic gathering places, including parks, trails, and pedestrian infrastructure that improve mobility, resilience, placemaking, and overall quality of life.
The integration of wellness, fitness, and health-focused amenities across asset classes, from residential and office to mixed-use projects, as wellness becomes a baseline expectation for tenants, residents, and employees.
How Houston’s climate, storm risk, and resilience needs are influencing design and development, from building systems and materials to site planning, flood mitigation, energy efficiency, and long-term asset performance.

How You'll Do More Business: Join Bisnow for an in-depth look at Houston architecture and design trends shaping the city’s future. From luxury amenities and mixed-use development to adaptive reuse, climate resilience, and urban walkability, this event connects design strategy with real estate investment, development, and community impact. Bisnow brings together Houston’s top architects, developers, owners, and city leaders to uncover where projects are moving forward and how design decisions are driving value across the market.

Who You'll Meet:

Leading Houston architects, designers, and firm principals
Developers, owners, and investors active in Houston real estate development
Executives overseeing architecture, design strategy, and placemaking
Engineers, landscape architects, and sustainability consultants
City officials, planners, and community stakeholders shaping Houston’s urban growth

Why You Should Attend: Bisnow events convene the most influential leaders in commercial real estate, architecture, and design to identify opportunities, build meaningful connections, and drive business growth. With the largest audience of commercial real estate professionals in the world, Bisnow offers unmatched access to the people, projects, and insights shaping Houston’s architecture and design landscape. Join us for a focused look at the trends defining Houston’s next phase of growth.

For speaker recommendations or press inquiries please email our Texas event producer Carissa Batson at carissa.batson@bisnow.com.

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Agenda

Time	Activity
8:00 AM 9:00 AM	Breakfast & Networking
9:00 AM 9:45 AM	Designing Houston as a Destination City How hospitality, mixed-use, and city-scale projects are positioning Houston on the world stage
9:45 AM 10:00 AM	Break & Networking
10:00 AM 10:45 AM	Turkey Bend: Designing Houston's Next Urban Edge How landscape urbanism, public investment, and coordinated planning are reshaping one of Houston’s most complex redevelopment zones
10:45 AM 11:30 AM	A City of Many Voices How public spaces and community stewardship shape Houston’s neighborhoods
11:30 AM 12:00 PM	Closing & Networking