An emblem of contemporary Shenzhen Shenzhen’s Houhai Downtown District has undergone tremendous growth, emerging as a hub for technology startups and corporations. The new headquarters for global telecommunications company Hytera is among the neighborhood’s most prominent recent developments. Facing two major municipal parks, the 43-story tower enhances the public realm with an elevated podium featuring … Continued
A collaboration begins In 2008, Valli, the renowned manufacturer of door handles, engaged SOM to design a new collection for its Fusital line of architect-designed hardware. Using aerodynamics software from the auto industry for visualization and early forms of 3D printing to build models for ergonomic testing, the team created a collection of simple yet … Continued
In 1961, SOM’s One Chase Manhattan Plaza revitalized the urban landscape of Lower Manhattan with the introduction of the first International Style building in the area. In The New York Times, architecture critic Ada Louise Huxtable wrote that “it carries the double promise of corporate efficiency and a more enduring value: significant civic beauty.” Fifty … Continued
Inspiration in nature Rising at the heart of a rapidly developing neighborhood, Ningbo Center Tower marks a new place in the skyline of Zhejiang’s coastal city. The 80-story tower, designed and engineered by SOM, draws inspiration from the form of a lotus flower, a symbol of elegance and purity in ancient Chinese poetry, with a … 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
A landmark inspired by its locale On a narrow and steeply sloped site in downtown Los Angeles, the Gas Company Tower stands as an example of imaginative design that responds to context. Resolving a 60-foot elevation change, the 52-story office building pairs unique architectural character with a thoughtful connection to its environment. Southern California Gas … Continued
Bold high-rise design marks a moment in the city’s transformation Rising 154 meters above Barcelona’s waterfront, Hotel Arts is a strikingly modern addition to the city’s skyline. As part of a major development planned for the 1992 Summer Olympics, the building is more than a hotel—it combines apartments, offices, and retail spaces, and connects to … Continued
Reimagining the science center for the 21st century Since its founding in 1870, Wellesley College has been a pioneer in science education for women. More than a century and a half later, SOM reimagined the institution’s science center to accommodate an increased demand for STEM education and a 21st-century style of learning. With new spaces … Continued
Thames City is a key part of Nine Elms, Europe’s largest regeneration zone. Born out of SOM’s New Covent Garden Market Plan, Thames City provides around 1,500 new homes overlooking the River Thames and over 2.5 acres of interconnected publicly accessible space. In addition to the planning of the site, SOM designed three residential high-rise … Continued
A sculptural tower designed for America’s largest bank With its crystalline bay window facade and irregular setbacks, 555 California Street—formerly the global headquarters of Bank of America—emerges as an architectural centerpiece of San Francisco’s financial district. The office complex consists of a 52-story tower and a glass-enclosed banking hall, atop a four-level base nestled into … Continued