Two SOM projects have been named winners in the 2026 Architectural Record Awards. Waldorf Astoria New York received the award in the Restoration category, while Sany IROOTECH Headquarters in Guangzhou, China, was recognized in the Tall Buildings category.

When the Waldorf Astoria New York opened in 1931, it redefined American hospitality, becoming the city’s “unofficial palace” and an Art Deco icon. After years of modernization efforts altered Schultze & Weaver’s original design, we led a comprehensive transformation to restore the hotel’s former grandeur and prepare it for a new era. The 1,400-room hotel was reimagined as 372 luxury residences and a 375-key, five-star hotel: a transformation of 96% of the building. The remaining 4%—including the landmarked lobbies, corridors, and ballrooms—was meticulously restored to reclaim its historic character.

Sany IROOTECH Headquarters comprises two interconnected towers organized around an expressive diagrid structural system. Suspended floors create flexible, column-free interiors, while planted terraces provide shade and outdoor space throughout the towers. At ground level, an elevated podium opens the site as a public plaza, connecting the development to the surrounding pedestrian network.

Now in its second year, the Record Awards recognize excellence in built and unbuilt architecture, with projects evaluated for design quality, sustainability, and innovation. All winners will be featured in the magazine’s November 2026 print issue.