Encompassing a wide array of functions, Terminal 2 and SkyPlaza accommodate ongoing growth at the Hong Kong International Airport. SOM faced the challenge of designing a complex facility in the most efficient and cost-effective way while endowing it with a distinct identity. SOM created an undulating facade and interior ceiling that evoke shimmering waves and … Continued
Situated on a prominent waterfront site, the Busan Lotte Town Tower is poised to become the new gateway to East Asia. Standing at more than 510 meters, the supertall skyscraper holds a vast, 362,000-square-meter program consisting of offices, condos, a hotel, retail and entertainment space, and underground parking. The streetscape is enlivened by a vibrant … Continued
The workplace is changing: from ambitious start-ups to well-established corporations, offices are evolving from traditional enclosed layouts to support a more “open” culture. Loyola Marymount University (LMU) understood this shift and sought to adapt their workplace while accommodating the growth of two of the University’s most vital administrative departments—University Advancement, which coordinates the school’s fundraising … Continued
SOM Graphics designed a 36-inch modular carpet collection with powerful three-dimensional designs that visually sculpt the floor and create different architectural perspectives in macro versus micro applications. To shape the imagery, the multidisciplinary team drew inspiration from urban skylines, aerial views of airports, bridges and cities, and geological formations such as glaciers, bedrock, and lakes. … Continued
The Roche Diagnostics Learning and Development Center demonstrates architecture’s role in defining corporate character. Designed for the Swiss-based drug company’s North American headquarters in Indianapolis, the building establishes a global brand standard, asserting a coherent visual identity for the future of the campus. The building’s high level of environmental performance reinforces Roche’s longstanding commitment to … Continued
The Hong Kong International Airport is a vital transportation hub, serving as a main gateway to both Hong Kong and China. With this in mind, the airport authority set out to explore the potential for commercial development for an expansive stretch of land around the airport. SOM devised a master plan for a new “Airport … Continued
China’s premier high-speed rail line is capable of traveling upward of 300 kilometers per hour across the northeastern part of the country. The train’s terminal station will be located in the new mixed-use Tanggu District of Tianjin City, where SOM has designed an intermodal hub to serve more than 6,000 passengers during peak hours. Sited … Continued
As its population increases, Ho Chi Minh City has seen high-density development in its urban core threaten the preservation of historic neighborhoods. This master plan steers development south of the city, where substantial new growth can be accommodated cost-effectively with close proximity to public transit and existing centers of business. The 2,630-hectare Saigon South plan … Continued
An urban transformation enhances a historic district SOM’s masterplan for 100 West Walnut, a large redevelopment in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, realizes the potential of a large and underutilized site within this vibrant historic district. The 1970s office campus that occupied the site had long been seen as problematic, with its over-scaled building … Continued
Striking, inside and out China Merchants Tower anchors the master plan for Woods Park, located in the Nanshan District of Shenzhen, China. The mixed-use project was one of the first high-rise developments in the area. Providing 360-degree mountain and ocean views, the tower is distinguished by its striking tapered form and fine-grained facade texture. A … Continued