Warren Corman was born in Argentine (Kansas City), Kansas in 1926 to Emmet J. and Mariam Twineham Corman. Emmet Corman served as lead architect on the design of Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City, MO. The family moved to Topeka, KS when Warren Corman was young, and after graduating from Washburn Rural High School, Corman enlisted in the Navy Air Corps.

After returning from the Pacific Theater, Corman studied architecture at the University of Kansas, working for the State Architect's Office in Topeka during the summer. He continued working for that office after graduating until 1958, when he went into private practice with various partners.

After being recruited in 1966, Corman served as director of facilities for the Kansas Board of Regents for 31 years, overseeing planning and construction of more than 300 building projects at state universities in Kansas. Corman also became instrumental in some public policies regarding public buildings, helping to establish the State Building Committee and Crumbling Classrooms, a project designed to fund the repair and rehabilitation of aging facilities.

After retiring from the Board of Regents' position in 1997, Warren worked 13 more years as the University of Kansas' university architect and special assistant to the Chancellor. Warren was integral to the completion of the Memorial Stadium renovation, the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, and the School of Engineering's Eaton Hall.The KU School of Engineering awarded him the Distinguished Engineering Service Award in 2004.

Warren Corman retired in 2010 after working as an architect for 63 years.