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Silas Chiow, AIA, currently serves as Director of SOM China. In this capacity, he is responsible for the firm’s overall operations, strategic decision making, and project facilitation in China. He works in cooperation with U.S.-based SOM design and managing partners. Chiow has a proven track record for successful outcomes and offers a unique array of expertise that includes architecture, planning, project management, and business development.

In 1987, Chiow joined SOM New York and worked on the design of several prestigious projects, including 180 Allyn Street, 320 Park Avenue, and Wall Street Financial Center. In 1992, Chiow won First Prize at the Yokohama International Urban Design Competition and was invited to collaborate on Japan-based projects, including the Tokyo Government Center in Tokyo.

Since 1994, Chiow has focused his efforts on China and gained tremendous knowledge working as an architect, urban planner, and project manager in the region. His expertise extends to many project types–hospitality, retail, mixed-use developments, residential complexes, convention centers, institutions, housing, and hotels.

Most recently, Chiow has assisted in the facilitation of the firm’s high-rise, commercial, mixed-use and planning projects in China. Over the years, Chiow has formed strong partnerships with China’s government regulatory bodies, officials, and design institutes. He has also worked with numerous local and international developers, their partners, and consultants. These experiences and relationships have proven to be extremely valuable in a country that is in constant regulatory transition and in the early stages of development.

Over the years, Chiow has worked successfully with many of the world’s most prominent international corporations, including Ford Motor Company, Hewlett-Packard, Legend, Swire Property, Shuion Property, Sun Hong Kai Property, and Hutchinson Whampo Property. Chiow has also partnered successfully with world-renowned landscape architects, engineers, and contractors across the globe.

Chiow speaks frequently at government, commercial, and university events on subjects critical to the successful development of China’s design culture: Defining Quality, Value-creation, Design Process, Sustainability, Design Integrity, and Professionalism. He speaks English, Mandarin, and Japanese.