SOM (architecture)

SOM (architecture). Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global architecture, urban planning, and engineering firm renowned for its pioneering work in modernism and high-rise design. Founded in Chicago in 1936, the firm has been instrumental in shaping the skylines of major cities worldwide through its innovative structural solutions and integrated design approach. Its portfolio includes some of the world's most iconic buildings, from the mid-century Lever House to contemporary supertall towers like the Burj Khalifa.

History

The firm was established in 1936 by architects Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings, later joined by engineer John O. Merrill. Its early work was significantly influenced by the International Style and the ethos of the Bauhaus, with a major breakthrough coming from its involvement in the Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which demonstrated its capacity for large-scale, technical planning. The post-war economic boom propelled SOM to prominence, with landmark projects like Lever House (1952) in New York City establishing the prototype for the corporate glass-and-steel skyscraper. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the firm expanded globally, opening offices in cities such as San Francisco, New York City, and London, and continued to define commercial architecture with towers like the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) in Chicago.

Notable projects

SOM's built work encompasses a vast array of building types and scales. Its early modernist landmarks include the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Building and the Inland Steel Building. The firm pushed engineering boundaries with the tubular structural system of the John Hancock Center and the bundled-tube design of the Sears Tower. In the 21st century, SOM has been a leader in supertall construction, serving as the architect and engineer of the record-breaking Burj Khalifa in Dubai and designing the One World Trade Center in New York City. Other significant projects include the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, the Broadgate development in London, the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs, and the recently completed Chongqing Raffles City.

Design philosophy

The firm's design philosophy is rooted in a holistic, collaborative approach that fully integrates architecture, structure, and building services. This ethos, championed by partners like Gordon Bunshaft and Fazlur Rahman Khan, emphasizes logic, efficiency, and technological innovation. Khan's revolutionary structural concepts, such as the framed tube and bundled tube systems, were driven by this philosophy, allowing for taller, more efficient buildings. SOM's work often expresses a clear, rational aesthetic where the architectural form is a direct result of its structural and programmatic requirements, a principle evident from the sleek curtain walls of Lever House to the sculpted silhouette of the Burj Khalifa.

Leadership and organization

SOM has been led by a succession of influential design partners who have shaped its direction. Key figures include Gordon Bunshaft, a leading proponent of corporate modernism and recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize; structural engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan, whose innovations transformed high-rise design; and later design partners such as Bruce Graham, David Childs, and T. J. Gottesdiener. The firm is organized as a collective partnership without a single figurehead, operating through a network of interdisciplinary studios across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. This structure fosters collaboration between specialists in architecture, structural engineering, MEP engineering, and urban design.

Legacy and influence

SOM's legacy is profound, having fundamentally defined the image of the modern corporate skyscraper and influenced generations of architects and engineers. The firm's technical innovations, particularly those developed by Fazlur Rahman Khan, enabled the global proliferation of high-rise buildings. Its commitment to integrated design and sustainable practices continues to guide large-scale development, with many projects targeting certifications like LEED. SOM's body of work has been recognized with hundreds of awards, including the AIA Firm Award, and its buildings, such as the John Hancock Center and Lever House, are often designated as historic landmarks. The firm remains a dominant force in shaping the future of cities and tall building design worldwide.

Category:Architectural firms based in Chicago Category:American architectural firms Category:Skyscraper architects Category:Companies established in 1936