A New Hub Along the Silk Road Once a vital outpost on the ancient Silk Road, Urumqi has emerged as a dynamic urban hub and a centerpiece of China’s westward development strategy. Positioned at the geographical center of the Eurasian continent, Urumqi serves as a critical node for trade and cultural exchange in the Silk … Continued
Establishing a new headquarters The Robert A. Iger Building brings The Walt Disney Company’s news, editorial, live productions, streaming services, advertising, and more, together under one roof. Spanning a full city block at 7 Hudson Square, the building is conceived as a vertical campus, packing a dense collection of studios, newsrooms, offices, and outdoor spaces. … Continued
A new landmark for Dubai’s creative district Rising 45 stories above the Dubai Design District—home to the city’s artistic community and the annual Dubai Design Week—Atélis introduces a new model for urban living along Dubai Creek. The tower’s curving, petal-like balconies—inspired by the Al Samer, the UAE’s national flower—create a distinctive silhouette and woven texture. … Continued
Enabling diplomacy through architecture SOM’s modern complex for the U.S. Embassy Windhoek creates a new state-of-the-art facility for Namibia’s capital. Designed to foster collaboration on initiatives advancing education, health, trade, and wildlife conservation, the embassy meets stringent security and performance standards with a series of low, stone-clad structures that harmonize with the city and surrounding … Continued
Capitol Crossing is one of the biggest city design efforts undertaken in the nation’s capital in decades. The 2.2 million square foot complex will restore three city blocks constructed in air rights space above Interstate 395 on a cutting edge sustainable platform. This major urban design, infrastructure, and economic development project will include offices, housing … Continued
New views on a burgeoning district Manhattan Loft Gardens is located in Stratford, the site of the 2012 Summer Olympics. The event catalyzed a full-scale transformation of the district, which includes new campuses for University College London and the London College of Fashion along with venues for the BBC, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and the V&A … Continued
Shaping a sense of community This 460-meter mixed-use complex is located at the heart of the new central business district in Suzhou, China. Its three interconnected towers integrate apartments, office space, and retail into a mixed-use community. The tower will become a new landmark in Suzhou—a modern expression of the city’s enduring values and quality … Continued
Modernizing the airport The new terminal at Kansas City International Airport—designed, planned, and engineered by SOM with design-builder Clark | Weitz | Clarkson (CWC)—is a state-of-the-art travel hub that will transform the existing airport. This 1.1-million-square-foot building replaces the original, overcrowded terminals, built in 1972, with a single 39-gate complex designed to expand to 50 … Continued
Just steps from Columbus Circle and Central Park, this elegant new tower sits on a prominent one-acre site. Changing sky conditions and the surrounding Manhattan context interact with the building’s skin, resulting in an ever-shifting visual phenomenon. SOM clad the tower in semi-reflective, low-iron vision glass and vertical fins, which together add visual depth to … Continued
A catalyst for workplace culture and community The design of the headquarters is shaped by its environment and the people it serves. Inspired by the character of the historic Gadsby Power Plant, it translates the district’s industrial past into a modern, efficient, and human-centered workplace. Its efficient structural system and thoughtful exterior form create a … Continued