Architects and engineers at SOM have collaborated with artists throughout the firm’s 90-year history. From early work with legendary figures such as Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró to recent and ongoing projects with contemporary artists including Jaume Plensa and Janet Echelman, our architects and engineers have resolved the technical challenges in realizing large scale artworks—and in some cases have contributed to developing the concept for the artwork itself.

“SOM+Art,” a new exhibition opening on September 30 at Architekturgalerie München, highlights key moments in this history of collaboration. With a rich selection of models, concept sketches, and technical drawings, the show reveals the process of working between architects, engineers, and artists to create well-known public commissions in cities around the world.

“SOM has this incredible curiosity—a desire to experiment, to make ideas tangible, and to share them with others,” said Nicola Borgmann, director of Architekturgalerie München. “I hope that visitors to the exhibition begin to see both disciplines differently: to see the engineering hidden within the art, and the creativity hidden within the engineering.”

“SOM+Art” is on view at Architekturgalerie München from September 30 to November 15, 2026. Bill Baker, SOM Consulting Partner, will give a talk at the opening reception on Wednesday, September 30, at 7:00 p.m.