At the end of World War II, SOM undertook what would be one of its foundational urban design projects: creating a plan for the “atom bomb city” of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. For the bucolic site, SOM conceived a well-orchestrated network of roads lined with prefabricated homes, dormitories, schools, and stores. The master plan marked both … Continued
The Chongqing River Tower reconsiders typical mixed-use high-rise solutions by offering a unique and porous building volume that maximizes natural ventilation, access to sunlight, and view potential. Sited at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers and opposite the dense downtown peninsula of Chongqing, the tower employs a modular framework that not only negotiates … Continued
1801 K Street NW is a multi-tenant office building located in Washington, D.C.’s commercial business district. SOM transformed and repositioned the 600,000-square-foot property, originally built in 1970, to meet the highest standard for commercial office space. The project team refreshed the building with contemporary and sustainable design concepts—reconfiguring and refinishing the lobby, recladding the facade … Continued
Sited prominently on the National Mall, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is housed in a 1964 McKim, Mead & White building — the final project by that storied firm. Over the decades, the museum deteriorated and exhibits became disorganized, prompting the Smithsonian to undertake an ambitious renewal program. SOM devised a plan that … Continued
The Shanghai Old Town Master Plan calls for the respectful revitalization of one of Shanghai’s most historic districts. Old Town is situated at the ancient center of the city, which was once surrounded by a defensive wall. SOM’s plan protects the historic character and intimate scale of the area’s streetscapes, buildings, and urban forms. Through … Continued
100 Leadenhall Street is a new tower proposed for the Eastern Cluster, a high-rise district in the City of London. SOM designed the project to anticipate Leadenhall Street’s growing importance. The introduction of Crossrail, Europe’s largest infrastructure project, into nearby Liverpool Street Station reinforces the role of Leadenhall Street as an essential artery into the … Continued
Alárò City helps strengthen Lagos’position as the economic and cultural hub for West Africa by creating a new mixed-use model community—a place for people to work, make, live, and learn. Located 60 kilometers east of Lagos, the 1,000-hectare site is part of the wider 16,000-hectare Lekki Free Trade Zone, which aims to become an international … Continued
Nestled on the banks of the Nanming River, in the heart of Guizhou province, Guiyang is a vibrant metropolis poised to play a significant role in the rapid development of inland China. The Nanming Riverfront Culture Central Business District Master Plan leverages this potential and provides a path forward for Guiyang based on renewal of … Continued
Located at 1001 West Olympic Boulevard, near the city’s top entertainment venues, Olympia is a proposed mixed-use, high-rise development in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. SOM collaborated with P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S, an architectural practice based in Los Angeles, in the design of three towers, the tallest of which reach 65 stories, with two additional towers at … Continued
Kunming, the capital of the Chinese province of Yunnan, is an important bridge between China and the countries of Southeast Asia. Already one of China’s most livable cities, the Kunming Wujiaba New City Center will bring many additional benefits to the city, its people and a growing international community. SOM’s master plan for the expansive … Continued