Aaron May to Speak at National Conference of the American Planning Association

SOM Associate Director Aaron May will participate in a panel discussion at the 2017 National Conference of the American Planning Association in New York City. Titled “Detroit’s Design Excellence Meets Equity,” the panel will include discussion of the design strategies behind the Detroit East Riverfront Framework Plan. Recently unveiled, the SOM-led framework proposes new connections … Continued

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: A Brief History of a Beaux-Arts Gem

San Francisco’s own U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit received national attention after it played a prominent role in federal politics this year. Intended to represent the affluence and increasing importance of the United States as it became a world power, this 1905 gem, located at the corner of Mission and Seventh streets, has been … Continued

Spotlight on Poly International Plaza

Much of contemporary Beijing’s urban layout has its roots in the 15th century, when the Ming Dynasty built the Forbidden City as its seat of power. Today the sprawling metropolis is still organized according to districts and ring roads encircling the former imperial palace. In the Wangjing area, half-way between the traditional city center and … Continued

SOM’s Chicago Office Lends a Hand for National Rebuilding Day

On Saturday, April 29th, more than 40 members of SOM’s Chicago team participated in National Rebuilding Day. The annual event was hosted by the Metro Chicago chapter of Rebuilding Together, an organization dedicated to improving the homes of those in need across the United States. SOM’s multidisciplinary team volunteered in the city’s North Lawndale neighborhood, … Continued

SOM Foundation Announces Winners of the 2017 China Prize

On Thursday, May 4th, the SOM Foundation announced three winners of its 2017 China Prize. Each award winner will receive a $5,000 fellowship grant for research and travel outside of China. The fellowships enable students in the field of architecture and urban design to broaden their education through travel and gain an understanding of the … Continued

Corte Madera Volunteers Conceive Bike-Pedestrian Overpass

A busy Corte Madera overpass could soon benefit from a project that makes bicycling and pedestrian travel safer between the west and east sides of town. “There is a freeway interchange running through the middle of our community,” said Craig Hartman, a Corte Madera resident and design leader at Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP. “This … Continued

Renderings Galore for Pasadena’s 100 West Walnut

A new batch of renderings has emerged for 100 West Walnut, a transformative mixed-use development slated for the parking lots surrounding the Parsons Corp. headquarters in Pasadena… 10 West Walnut, the project’s office component, is portrayed as a five-story building fronting Fair Oaks Avenue on the east side of the property. Architecture firm SOM describes … Continued

SOM Breaks Ground on New Mixed-Use Development in Chicago’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood

On Thursday, May 4th, Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, joined Michele Smith, Alderman for Chicago’s 43rd Ward, and civic officials, community leaders, and local residents to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Lincoln Common, a new 1.1 million-square-foot mixed-use development at the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Developed by Hines and McCaffery Interests and designed by SOM … Continued

Two SOM Projects Win 2016-2017 Real Estate Design China Awards

Beijing Greenland Center and Nanchang Greenland Exhibition Center have both won 2016-2017 Real Estate Design China Awards. The annual awards program recognizes projects completed throughout China that have played a significant role in improving the country’s built environment. Beijing Greenland Center received a Gold Award, the program’s highest honor; Nanchang Greenland Exhibition Center received a Merit … Continued

Two SOM Projects Receive Awards of Excellence in Engineering

The Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) recognized two SOM projects in the 2017 Excellence in Engineering Awards, presented on Tuesday, May 2nd. The Desmond, an adaptive reuse project in downtown Los Angeles, received an Award of Excellence in the Retrofit/Alteration category. Originally designed as an automobile showroom in 1916, the five-story brick building … Continued