Michael Duncan is a design partner in SOM's San Francisco office. He has extensive experience planning and designing major civic, academic, residential, commercial, and transportation projects at all scales, in the United States and around the world. Duncan's architecture is characterized by clear geometries, carefully proportioned volumes, expressive structures, high-performance building skins, and the powerful use of light. His projects pioneer refined, cutting-edge solutions to issues of environmental responsibility and sustainability. With a skillful focus on placemaking, he leads the design of transformative spaces that responsibly reflect and engage their communities.

Duncan's significant design work includes the International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport, Beijing Finance Street, The Strand for American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), and the University of California, Merced. The International Terminal, with its iconic design and refined detailing, has created a powerful identity for both the airport and the city of San Francisco. Beijing Finance Street, a mixed-use development covering 22 acres, has created both a new financial center and an important public space for China's capital city. The acclaimed design of The Strand in San Francisco transformed a derelict building into a high-impact performance space that contributes to the revitalization of its neighborhood. At UC Merced, Duncan helped to establish the university's dynamic architectural character and open atmosphere with the design of its first two buildings, the Library and Central Plant. He recently led the design team selected to develop the UC Merced 2020 Project, which will nearly double the size of the campus.