Forty Under 40: Shayan Dehbozorgi

Shayan Dehbozorgi grew up living in multiple cities and experiencing different cultures, including Austin, Texas, and Shiraz, Iran. The buildings and spaces he saw sparked an interest, and he wanted to know how to build them.

By the time he graduated high school, the Joplin, Mo., native knew he wanted to be an architect. He came to Northwest Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas and earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 2010. The growth of the area led him to want to stay.

While in college, he learned about Hight Jackson Associates when partner Larry Perkin spoke during one of his classes. Dehbozorgi joined the firm after graduation.

He was named vice president in 2017 and partner in 2020. He manages multiple projects, handles business development, maintains customer relationships and oversees about 30 employees. He also works on project design, from concept through construction documents, and works with clients during the construction phase to completion. He has about a dozen clients.

Some of the projects in which he’s been involved include the lobby renovation and expansion at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, relocation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House to the museum, skybridge and terminal renovation at Northwest Arkansas National Airport, expansion of the Arkansas Arts Academy and work on multiple Bentonville schools.

“The goal is to continue to elevate this community with our designs and help shape the spaces we all encounter each day,” he said.

Dehbozorgi is active in the Bentonville Rotary Club, United Way of Northwest Arkansas and Urban Land Institute of Northwest Arkansas. He enjoys mountain and gravel biking, trail running, and playing soccer and tennis.