Clear structural composition and carefully designed details characterized this pristine modernist building when it opened in 1954. Surrounded by skyscrapers, this branch for the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company bank had only four stories, although city zoning regulations would have permitted the erection of a tall structure with rentable upper floors. Instead, the design concept was … Continued
Glowing like an American Stonehenge, this giant, upside-down concrete “V” looks like a tribute to the Sun God, which in a sense it is. Designed in 1958-1959 by an SOM team led by Myron Goldsmith, the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope on Arizona’s Kitt Peak was the world’s largest instrument dedicated to viewing the sun at the … Continued
Developed by Extell, 55 West 46th Street is New York City’s only 21st-century commercial condominium specifically created for the gem and jewelry trade. Located in the Diamond District, the 34-story tower is wrapped in a three-dimensional, folded glass facade that creates a dynamic, ever-changing surface condition through the interplay of glass and light. The facade … Continued
Evoking the magnificent sailing ships of Portugal’s Golden Age of Discovery, SOM’s competition-winning Atlantico Pavilion (now called MEO Arena) features an asymmetrical, oxidized zinc roof that appears to float above a glass-walled vestibule. The ovoidal building’s interior is a cathedral-like space, with dramatic laminated-wood trusses that span up to 115 meters. A curtain wall allows … Continued
Located in Bishan, 35 kilometers west of the center of Chongqing, this master plan leverages the dramatic natural setting and encourages a retail and commercial core that will be at the heart of the city’s growth. Nestled between mountain ridges in the foggy Jialing river basin, this new central business district will feature a central … Continued
Rapid urbanization is encroaching upon and radically diminishing China’s cultural landscape, and Beijing is particularly at risk. With more than 3,000 years of performing arts culture, this thriving metropolis has long been home to China’s most elegant and ancient art form. The Tianqiao Performing Arts District Master Plan intends to re-establish the city’s cultural heart … Continued
Prototype SOM developed the Global Interior Design Standards and Manual for BBVA, an international retail banking institution. The standards guide a complete transformation of BBVA’s workplaces around the world, aiming to reinforce the company’s core values, strengthen its focus on client services, and amplify opportunities for growth. To achieve these goals, BBVA is shifting its … Continued
Since its completion, the award-winning Virginia Beach Convention Center has become the centerpiece of a 40-year master plan to green Virginia Beach and reinvigorate the classic resort town. A soaring 147-foot glass and steel tower pays homage to the city’s historic lighthouse, while lightweight trusses support a curving glass curtain wall. The lobby features a … Continued
Rising from a pivotal site adjacent to Chater Garden in Hong Kong’s central business district, the 36-story AIA Central (formerly AIG Tower) is a prominent fixture on the city skyline. The building completes one of the most significant public open spaces in the heart of Hong Kong and contributes to the urban coherence of pedestrian … Continued
Envisioned as a place of discovery and healing, this striking facility is shaped by its translational research mission and urban context. Located in Upper Manhattan, the center places researchers, clinicians, educators, and patients in an integrated environment with state-of-the-art technology. The 11-story building is specifically designed to foster multi-disciplinary interaction through a network of formal … Continued