Curtis Clay joins CannonDesign as Regional Design Director for the East Region

26 East Region Design Director3 1

July 27, 2026

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We're excited to share that Curtis Clay, FAIA, has joined CannonDesign as Regional Design Director for the East Region. 

Based in our Washington, D.C. office, Curtis will work closely with our design teams across the East Region, including those in our offices in Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, New York City and Washington, D.C., to set the standard for design quality, mentor and recruit designers, engage clients and reinforce CannonDesign’s identity as a design-forward practice rooted in Living-Centered Design.

As an architect whose career spans over two decades and encompasses executive oversight of a multibillion-dollar portfolio across more than 50 countries, Curtis brings a distinctive combination of leadership, design expertise and client-side perspective that makes him an exceptional fit to serve as East Region Design Director.

Curtis Project 3
New Consulate Compound (Nogales, Mexico). Design Architect: Ennead Architects, LLP. Architect of Record: Page Southerland Page, Inc. Curtis led site selection and design oversight to develop a solution that incorporates anthropological design principles, a xeriscape and principles of The Embassy Effect.
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Having recently served as Director of Architecture for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), Curtis’s design sensibility blends architecture, sustainability, resilience, culture and community impact to create places that function optimally while also communicating the values of the people they serve. 

Among his career highlights, Curtis oversaw design quality for 290 diplomatic missions in 190 countries, institutionalized 14 major capital policy programs, including Embassy 2050 — a strategic partnership with academia and industry that provides an implementation roadmap for U.S. embassies over the next 25 years using sustainable, resilient, and adaptable criteria — and led multiple projects exceeding $500M each. Under Curtis's leadership, 14 diplomatic projects have received LEED Certification, with several more set to achieve it by the end of 2027. Many of those projects will be the first LEED certified projects in their country. 

Testimonials

  • Curtis’ perspective and depth of experience are truly unique in our industry. Through his leadership with the U.S. State Department’s overseas building program, he developed an understanding of what it takes to achieve design excellence, build consensus among diverse stakeholders and deliver meaningful outcomes. Just as importantly, he is a thoughtful, collaborative leader whose insight, rigor and passion for design will elevate our work across the East Region and throughout CannonDesign.

    David Polzin Executive Director of Design
Lagos Ncc
Lagos Consulate 2 Curtis Clay
New Consulate Compound Lagos, Nigeria (under construction). Design Architect: Ennead Architects, LLP. Architect of Record: Stantec, formerly Page Southerland Page, Inc. Curtis led design oversight drawing on local traditions with a self-shading, diagrid facade. Located in Eko Atlantic, newly constructed land to protect Lagos from rising sea levels, Curtis led site selection with the intent to spawn economic development in the area.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping create environments that are thoughtful, sustainable and grounded in purpose, says Curtis. "Whether it’s pushing design quality, exploring innovative materials or considering the broader impact of the built environment, I believe great design comes from aligning creativity with responsibility. That shared commitment to design excellence is what drew me to CannonDesign.” 

As Regional Design Director, Curtis will collaborate closely with design leaders across the firm, helping the East Region continue to raise the bar while contributing to a shared design culture for the firm. We’re excited to see the impact of his leadership as CannonDesign continues to evolve and grow.