In 1969, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) began awarding its 25-Year Award to recognize buildings and structures that have set a precedent of architectural excellence. Each year, the organization bestows the honor upon a project that has “stood the test of time.” Since the establishment of the program, SOM has received six 25-Year Awards, … Continued
“Can we pump barbecue smells through the terminal?” one gentleman asked. “You’ll know where you are as soon as you step off the plane.” At each of the three dozen community meetings our team at SOM attended in Kansas City, we fielded a bevy of requests and all manner of ideas for the design of … Continued
SOM’s work in designing high-quality apartment living goes back to the 1950s, with the now-landmarked Manhattan House in New York City. Today, we consider the opportunity to create new rental residences—known in the industry as “build-to-rent”—as a framework for thinking about lifestyle and sense of place, and also a pathway for building vibrant cities through … Continued
Derek A. R. Moore oversees the firm’s Airports and Transportation practice and has played a leading role in the planning and design of large projects for airport and rail terminals around the world. Moore holds advanced degrees in the history of art and architecture, and has lectured and published in a number of fields. He is … Continued
New parks and public spaces will open, campus buildings will be inaugurated, and civic treasures will be renovated and reimagined: 2022 has many highlights in store. With climate change top-of-mind, this work demonstrates an array of strategies to decarbonize the built environment, from ecological restoration to adaptive reuse. Here are a few of the milestones … Continued
Visitors could be forgiven for mistaking One Manhattan West, a 995-foot-tall tower in Midtown, for a typical office building. Its simple geometric form and the polished appearance of its glass facade give little indication of the unconventional engineering techniques—above and below ground—required to build it. The 67-story, 2.1-million-square-foot office tower, located on the corner of … Continued
SOM has long maintained close and dynamic relationships with many of the greatest modern artists of the era. One sculptor whose work was particularly well suited to SOM’s public and corporate spaces was Alexander Calder, warmly known to the architects who worked with him as “Sandy.” From 1948 to 1975, Calder created artwork for 10 … Continued
There’s more than meets the eye at 111 Main, Salt Lake City’s most prominent new office building. Behind the glass facade, a feat of structural engineering allowed the 25-story tower to rise on a surprisingly complex site. As with any building in a seismic zone, we designed the 387-foot-tall building to withstand earthquakes. The bigger … Continued
We recently announced the promotion of our newest principals—eight global leaders who exemplify the qualities that SOM brings to every project: international perspectives, deep expertise, and a commitment to working across disciplines. We’ve asked each of them for insights on their career journeys and a glimpse of what they’re working on now. Ece Calguner Erzan … Continued
The author of two books on SOM, most recently Gordon Bunshaft and SOM: Building Corporate Modernism, Nicholas Adams probably knows the firm’s history better than anyone. He is also keenly aware of the gaps in the historical record. That’s why Adams has spent years hunting for artifacts related to SOM and its key players—after all, you never know … Continued