On September 23rd, 2020 SOM Director Luke Leung will speak as a panelist in "New Approaches to Air And Water." Part of the Metropolis Perspective: Sustainability Symposium, the panel discussion centers on the conservation and responsible use of resources in building design.
Created in 2020, the Robert L. Wesley Award supports BIPOC undergraduate students enrolled in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or structural engineering programs across the U.S. The $10,000 award, given to three students, is an unrestricted scholarship that aims to support academic development. The award honors Robert L. Wesley, the first black partner at SOM.
The Billie Jean King Main Library has been honored with a 2020 AIA/ALA Library Building Award by the American Institute of Architects and American Library Association . The prestigious awards program Given to just four libraries this year, is the only one to recognize entire library structures and all aspects of their design.
In September, SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan, Director and Interior Design Practice Leader Lois Wellwood, and Associate Amy Garlock will join Cindy Allen, Editor-in-Chief of Interior Design magazine, for DesignBiz on Instagram Live. The designers and Allen will discuss workplace, travel, materiality, post-COVID design, and more.
In an episode of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast, Consulting Partner Bill Baker talks with host Sue Nelson. The two discuss the Burj Khalifa, the relationships between architecture and structure, the future of engineering, and advice for young engineers entering the field.
On Thursday, September 24th, SOM's Zarmine Nigohos and Roshanak Mostaghim will present at the Future of Mass Timber virtual symposium. Hosted by The Architect's Newspaper, the symposium will spotlight emerging timber technologies and exemplary timber projects across North America, including the Billie Jean King Main Library in Long Beach, California.
South China Morning Post reports on how the pandemic has reoriented priorities for residential design, particularly in the luxury market. SOM Associate Director Frank Mahan discusses SOM's adaptive reuse of the Waldorf Astoria in New York as an example, sharing insight on how the building's history as a hotel has also informed the type of amenities it offers to residents.
The Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC) has named the Billie Jean King Main Library in Long Beach, California, a 2020 Award of Merit winner. Awarded projects demonstrate outstanding achievement and excellence in structural engineering.
Forbes magazine features One Steuart Lane in an article that highlights SOM's design collaboration with owner Paramount Group and French interior designer Liaigre. The ultra-luxury condominium building topped off in August, and will open to residents in the spring of 2021.
For the first profile in our Spotlight series, Morgynn Wiley takes a break from her design job to tell us about working in her hometown, the opportunities she has found as an entry-level designer at SOM, and why one portfolio does not fit all.
On September 18th, 2020, SOM Directors Chuck Besjak and Preetam Biswas and Associate Director Ronald Johnson will speak at the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2020 V-Tech Conference. The program features technical presentations from the 2020 Architectural Engineering Institute's Professional Project Awards winners.
The Moscone Center Expansion in San Francisco and the Billie Jean King Main Library in Long Beach have been honored with Merit Awards as part of the 2020 AIA California Design Awards. Moscone Center also received a Leading Edge award for its design excellence as related to sustainability and resiliency.
Architectural Digest interviews SOM Associate Director Frank Mahan on the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Waldorf Astoria. Mahan discusses the complexity and investigative work required to restore the landmark to its original appearance, as well as the significant sustainability benefits of utilizing adaptive reuse.
In September, Yue Zhu, Thomas Kinzl, Martin Liepmann, and Phil Obayda will speak at Virtual Festival of Facades. The event, an ongoing series of panel discussions and workshops on facade engineering and design, is presented by Zak World of Facades.
Chicago Architect magazine features SOM Urban Designer Tiara Huges on the cover of its latest publication. In the issue, Hughes writes about equity, diversity and inclusion in the design field, initiatives within SOM to create a more equitable practice, and the importance of listening, empathy, and measurable goals.
