For the third year in a row, we’re proud to have been recognized with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2026 Equality 100 Award, earning a top score on this year’s Corporate Equality Index. The Index evaluates workplace policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ inclusion, including nondiscrimination protections, benefits, and culture. It’s a useful benchmark—and a … Continued
In Sydney’s North Shore in Australia, a proposal for a 32-story mixed-use development in Chatswood has been submitted to the New South Wales Government for planning approval. Located approximately 11 kilometers north of Sydney’s central business district and within walking distance of Chatswood’s rail and metro interchange, the project reimagines the long-standing Mandarin Centre site … Continued
On February 9, 2026, SOM’s Jorge Rovira and Benton Johnson joined the Chicago Architecture Biennial for “Replacement and Reuse, Reconsidered,” a public program examining demolition, adaptation, and the evolving value of materials in post-industrial cities. The discussion was framed by the Biennial’s presentation of Re-SPLAM (Reclaimed Spatial Laminated Timber), on view in Millennium Park. Developed … Continued
How do you honor the 90-year history and cultural legacy of a New York City icon while planning its next chapter? At the Waldorf Astoria New York, we approached this question through a comprehensive transformation, a methodical work of preservation, and a meticulous restoration. The interplay between all three approaches informed thousands of decisions over … Continued
Master plan reveals a vision for an inclusive, climate-resilient city designed to support long-term growth and opportunity in Western Sydney The development of Australia’s first entirely new city in more than a century is underway in Western Sydney. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Hassell, in collaboration with cultural design partners Djinjama and … Continued
“For decades, SOM’s furniture existed in plain sight, but outside the public narrative of modern design,” says David Rosenwasser, co-founder of Rarify, the independent, designer-led source for rare and collectible furniture. “These are not prototypes or side projects; there are thousands of meticulously designed, project-specific works that defined how modern corporations looked, felt, and functioned.” … Continued
With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics underway, we are excited to welcome athletes from around the world to our Olympic Village in Porta Romana—one of our 2026 Projects to Watch. The Village encompasses public green spaces, the transformation of two historic structures, and six new residential buildings housing athletes during the Olympic Games. Following … Continued
Commissioner Michael McMurray of the Chicago Department of Aviation has unveiled the first public video animation of The New Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in collaboration with Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA), and Arup, The New Concourse D is the first major component of … Continued
What does the future of trading look like in Midtown Manhattan? Dezeen recently featured SOM’s design for the trading floors at 270 Park Avenue, JPMorganChase’s new global headquarters. Located just above the tower’s lobby, eight interconnected floors support 4,000 traders across 500,000 square feet. The floors are organized into two-story suites, arranged around double-height atria, … Continued
For a decade, our Adaptive Reuse team has worked to bring the Waldorf Astoria New York back to a state of grandeur and position it for modern-day use. The project combines careful preservation with meticulous restoration, resulting in thousands of design and construction decisions—many of which we’ll unpack next week. Join us on February 12 … Continued