This resort hotel brings five-star comfort to Kuwait City. Located on a historic site well known to the local community, the hotel is conceived as a mosaic of buildings and gardens. Space meanders between interior and exterior, with an arrival court leading to a lobby, restaurant, and wedding hall. The sun is especially important in … Continued
For years, Nanjing’s Riverfront District has lacked vitality and a strong connection to the city center. SOM’s master plan aims to change this by radically transforming three kilometers along the neglected Yangtze River. The 236-hectare plan calls for the creation of five mixed-use neighborhoods with good transit connections and waterfront access. The architecture, circulation, and … Continued
Located on the west side of London’s City Road Basin, this mixed-use project features three buildings, including a striking 36-story tower that is the area’s tallest structure. The buildings are designed to have individual identities linked by a shared palette of materials and detailing. The development contains more than 300 residences (200 private and 107 … Continued
In 1985, SOM began work on a master plan for London’s Canary Wharf, which called for transforming a derelict industrial area into a thriving financial district. In addition to the master plan, SOM designed a number of buildings for the area, and created new public spaces. The master plan established a clear urban framework of … Continued
Picasso’s first monumental sculpture in America — known simply as the Chicago Picasso — designates the plaza in front of the Chicago Civic Center as a public gathering space. The sculpture stands 50 feet tall on a base of granite, and is constructed of the same Cor-Ten steel as the building behind it. In the … Continued
Jiangxi Nanchang Greenland Central Plaza, Parcel A is a complex of mixed-use buildings that anchor a zone of new development in Nanchang, the capital of the Chinese province Jiangxi. The project encompasses four volumes: a pair of low-rise structures housing retail and conference functions accompanied by a pair of identical 303-meter-tall office towers. Completed in … Continued
Built in the 1950s to provide housing for military families after World War II, the Parkmerced neighborhood in San Francisco has declined in recent years. SOM’s redevelopment plan represents a remarkable opportunity to transform this large, aging housing complex and its surrounding area into a vibrant, sustainable community. In addition to new energy-efficient residential buildings, … Continued
A step toward the future As the first building erected at the World Trade Center site since September 11, 2001, and with the site’s master plan then still in the works, 7 World Trade Center established a vision for the future of the district. It set a new benchmark for environmental performance as one of … Continued
Rising at the confluence of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, 400 Lake Shore will reshape the skyline with two towers reaching nearly 900 feet, articulated with terraces that cascade down the eastern facades. Tapering in both plan and section, the towers frame a view of the lake, while angling back towards the cityscape. The … Continued