Washington DC is the capital of the mightiest empire the world has ever known. It is a curious fact that the seat of the government that sequenced the human genome and that put a man on the moon is oddly averse to one particular aspect of modern technology: the skyscraper. The city is not innocent … Continued
Sometimes, you just want to stare at the walls. But let’s face it, even with a cocktail in hand, the odd abstract paintings and sepia-tone tree photos splashed all over the walls at many hotels aren’t much of a visual treat for the weary traveler. That’s where this new crop of artistically inspired hotels comes … Continued
On June 16, 2015, SOM Senior Urban Designer Roger Weber spoke at the American Planning Association regarding SOM’s long-standing urban design presence in Washington, D.C. “Urban Design and the Capital City” explored new urban design challenges facing the metropolitan region in the 21st century. In particular, Weber discussed the continued need to design flexible frameworks … Continued
On June 11, 2015, more than 200 architects, journalists, and academics zoomed up to the 64th floor of One World Trade Center to celebrate “The Future of the Skyscraper.” Published by Metropolis Books, this first volume in SOM Thinkers will be available for sale starting June 23, 2015. The new book series engages readers in … Continued
Can great design be made accessible to all? This was but one of the many essential concepts discussed when Burr Elementary School’s 4th and 5th graders enjoyed a visit from the architects who designed their school, from internationally renowned architecture firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.
For new buildings, though, energy efficiency is becoming an important factor. The 99-storey Pertamina Energy Tower being built in Jakarta, for example, will be so thrifty that wind, solar and geothermal energy can meet all its power needs. “Energy-plus” buildings can even harvest energy from their environment and inhabitants and export it. Like cars, new … Continued
On June 1, 2015, SOM Technical Director Nicholas Holt will join a discussion about air leakage in buildings at the Center for Architecture in New York City. “Seal in Tight, Make Right” will explore how building envelopes can be designed to mitigate air infiltration and how, in turn, airtight buildings can save energy costs, minimize … Continued
SOM, in celebration with Greenland Group, is proud to announce that construction has completed on the twin towers that anchor the Jiangxi Nanchang Greenland Central Plaza, Parcel A project. The identical towers stand 303 meters tall and 100 meters apart to anchor an emerging business, civic, and residential zone in Nanchang’s booming new city, and … Continued
Today, UI Labs’ new Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute opens in Chicago. Called the DMDII for short, the institute is the first in the nation — and the first lab created under UI Labs’ leadership — that will unite key university and industry partners and enable them to collaborate side-by-side as they work to … Continued
Since 1956, May has been National Bike Month, and this year SOM’s San Francisco office is celebrating the power of the pedal by participating in the Team Bike Challenge. Sponsored by the Bay Area Bike Coalition, the Team Bike Challenge pits commuters from nine counties in a friendly competition to bike to work. In 2014, … Continued