In the 2015 edition of the Architect 50, an annual ranking of top design firms, Architect Magazine has recognized SOM’s leadership across all categories. With a top-ten ranking in all three primary criteria—Business, Sustainability, and Design—SOM took second place overall among the top 50 firms.
The annual awards program is administered by Architect Magazine, the journal of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). This year, the magazine updated its methodology to include new metrics: percentage of women and minority designers, range and value of employee benefits, and rate of employee turnover. SOM was selected from 124 architecture firms that qualified for evaluation this year.
SOM ranked second in the Design category, based on upon a jury’s evaluation of the firm’s design portfolio, as well as other considerations such as the firm’s research and pro bono work. In the Business category, SOM earned the fourth place rank, which ranked firms according to metrics including net revenue per employee, profitability, and business practices. SOM took sixth place in Sustainability, a category that privileges firms that meet the AIA’s targets for sustainable design.