SOM (firm)

SOM (firm), also known as Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, is a renowned American architectural, engineering, and urban planning firm founded in 1936 by Louis Skidmore, Nathaniel Owings, and John O. Merrill. With a rich history spanning over eight decades, SOM has established itself as a leading player in the industry, with a portfolio that includes some of the most iconic buildings and structures in the world, such as the Willis Tower in Chicago, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and the One World Trade Center in New York City. The firm has worked with numerous high-profile clients, including Google, Microsoft, and Apple, and has collaborated with famous architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Eero Saarinen. SOM has also been involved in various high-profile projects, such as the Transbay Transit Center in San Francisco and the Hudson Yards development in New York City, working alongside other prominent firms like Kohn Pedersen Fox and Gensler.

● History

SOM's history dates back to 1936, when Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings founded the firm in Chicago. The firm's early work included projects such as the Tribune Tower in Chicago and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, which was designed in collaboration with Eero Saarinen and Alvar Aalto. During the 1950s and 1960s, SOM expanded its operations to New York City and San Francisco, and began working on large-scale projects such as the Lever House in New York City and the Alcoa Building in Pittsburgh. The firm also worked on various government projects, including the United States Embassy in London and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in New York City, in collaboration with other notable architects like I.M. Pei and Richard Meier. SOM has also been involved in various international projects, such as the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, working with local partners like Arup and Ramboll.

● Architecture

SOM's architectural style is characterized by its use of modern and innovative materials, as well as its emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. The firm has designed a wide range of buildings, from skyscrapers like the Willis Tower and the Burj Khalifa, to cultural institutions like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.. SOM has also worked on various urban planning projects, such as the Chicago Riverwalk and the Hudson River Greenway in New York City, in collaboration with other prominent firms like Zaha Hadid Architects and Norman Foster + Partners. The firm's designs often incorporate cutting-edge technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and have been influenced by the work of famous architects like Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. SOM has also been recognized for its innovative use of materials, such as glass and steel, and has worked with various manufacturers, including Saint-Gobain and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal.

● Notable_projects

Some of SOM's most notable projects include the One World Trade Center in New York City, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai. The firm has also designed several other iconic buildings, such as the Willis Tower in Chicago, the John Hancock Center in Chicago, and the Time Warner Center in New York City. SOM has worked on various cultural institutions, including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco. The firm has also been involved in various high-profile projects, such as the Transbay Transit Center in San Francisco and the Hudson Yards development in New York City, working alongside other prominent firms like Kohn Pedersen Fox and Gensler. Additionally, SOM has worked on various international projects, such as the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with local partners like Arup and Ramboll.

● Awards_and_recognition

SOM has received numerous awards and recognition for its work, including the AIA Gold Medal and the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The firm has also been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, and has received awards such as the LEED Platinum certification for its design of the One World Trade Center in New York City. SOM has also been ranked as one of the top architecture firms in the world by Architectural Record and Engineering News-Record, and has been recognized for its innovative use of technology, including Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The firm's designs have been exhibited at various museums and galleries, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and have been featured in various publications, including Architectural Digest and The New York Times.

● Organization_and_management

SOM is a private company, with a global presence and offices in Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., as well as international offices in London, Dubai, and Hong Kong. The firm is led by a team of experienced architects and engineers, including Thomas Kerwin, Kenneth A. Lewis, and Carol Ross Barney, who have worked on various high-profile projects, including the One World Trade Center and the Burj Khalifa. SOM has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and has been recognized for its efforts to promote women and minorities in the architecture and engineering professions, in collaboration with organizations like the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). The firm also has a strong commitment to community outreach and engagement, and has worked on various pro bono projects, including the Chicago Riverwalk and the Hudson River Greenway in New York City, in partnership with local organizations like the Chicago Park District and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

● Sustainability_and_innovation

SOM has a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, and has been at the forefront of the development of green building technologies and sustainable design practices. The firm has designed several LEED-certified buildings, including the One World Trade Center in New York City and the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, and has worked on various projects that incorporate cutting-edge technologies, such as solar power and wind energy. SOM has also been recognized for its innovative use of materials, such as recycled materials and low-carbon concrete, and has worked with various manufacturers, including Saint-Gobain and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal. The firm's designs often incorporate advanced technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and have been influenced by the work of famous architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Eero Saarinen. Additionally, SOM has been involved in various research initiatives, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the United States Department of Energy (DOE), to develop new sustainable technologies and design practices, in collaboration with other prominent firms like Arup and Ramboll.

Category:Architecture firms