Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

Real estate owners and developers today face complex challenges in aligning their assets with evolving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. From energy efficiency to creating spaces that promote social wellbeing, architects are at the forefront of integrating sustainability principles in real estate. A new white paper, authored by SOM and published by the real estate services company BuildingMinds, explores models for effective collaboration to integrate sustainability, equity, and resilience into building design and operations. We believe that architects can and should play a crucial role in driving positive ESG outcomes—read about it in the white paper below. MORE → bit.ly/3Froeki Image: Charenton-Bercy Development & Tower by +IMGS

The new global headquarters for telecommunications company Hytera is among the most prominent recent developments in the city’s Houhai downtown district. The 43-story tower exemplifies the integration of architecture and structural engineering that has long been SOM’s hallmark, and it's one of the many project we're looking forward to this year. A diagrid steel structure gives the building a bold architectural expression. The tower’s elevators rise within this truss system, offering workers glimpses of the city as they move between floors. The facade design updates the modernist curtain wall with operable glass panels that allow for natural ventilation. This feature, together with a design that maximizes natural lighting, creates a bright and flexible working environment for the next generation of tech industry talent. MORE → bit.ly/3R7vfZW Image: Courtesy of Shenzhen Hytera Communications Corporation

Next week, Partners Kent Jackson and Mark Sarkisian will present a deep dive into Karlatornet, the tallest mixed-used building in Scandinavia, during a special event in Gothenburg organised by the CTBUH Nordic Chapter. Taking place 220 meters above the city inside Karlatornet, the public event will bring together developers, public authorities, architects, and engineers to explore the opportunities that vertical urbanism presents for the region. The event marks the recent completion of the project, which was initiated to celebrate Gothenburg's 400th anniversary. Following an international competition in 2014, SOM was awarded the project, which at 246 meters tall, represents a shift from traditional development patterns in Sweden. Today, Karlatornet has transformed the city's riverside district and serves as a spectacular new landmark for both the city and surrounding region, with its elegant and striking design. Learn more about the event and register below. MORE → bit.ly/4bMcyEC Images: © Mike Kelley and Kasper Dudzik

How can façades address both operational and embodied energy? According to SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan, a holistic approach requires rigorous analysis of each component's carbon impact, ensuring that every material and design decision contributes to overall energy efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. At Zak World of Façades Australia, held in Sydney, Duncan presented SOM projects where structure and skin merge, demonstrating how hybridized systems can reduce material redundancy and maximize efficiency. By integrating structure and envelope, we can achieve "dual-use" components, unlocking new possibilities for carbon reduction in our buildings. The future of sustainable façade design lies in rethinking traditional boundaries. By leveraging advanced materials and engineering innovations, we can create high-performance skins that not only optimize energy use but also lower embodied carbon—moving closer to truly sustainable architecture. MORE → bit.ly/4kDedQP Images: 1. Lever House Restoration | Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM 2. Guiyang World Trade Center | Kyle Liu © TraceImage 3-4. 875 North Michigan Avenue | Dave Burk © SOM 5. 189 Toorak Road | NORVISKA © SOM 6. 1245 Broadway | Dave Burk © SOM 7-8. Pendry Hotel | Dave Burk © SOM 9. Scott Duncan at Zak World of Façades Australia | Adam Semel © SOM

Today, we recognize International Women’s Day and honor the women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. The gender gap in our industry is significant. And as stated in our most recent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report, this year we’ve seen much conversation and debate around DEI nationally. Against this shifting backdrop, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to promoting an inclusive workplace where all are valued and to foregrounding equity and inclusion in our design work. Much work remains, but it’s important to look at how far we’ve come. To learn about the challenges women in architecture have faced and how we can continue making progress toward gender equity, we revisit this piece from when Marti Gottsch, chair of the SOM Women’s Initiative, brought together three remarkable leaders from our firm’s past and present: Diane Legge, who in 1982 was the first woman to become a partner; Marilyn Jordan Taylor, who in 1985 became lead partner for the urban design and transportation practices, as well as the firm’s chairperson in the early 2000s; and Julia Murphy AIA, LEED AP, a current partner who continues to champion equity at SOM and throughout the profession. Read on as they discuss gender equity in architecture over the years. MORE → bit.ly/4agn3OG 📷: Francisco Lopez de Arenosa © SOM

At SOM, we design more than just buildings. Our recent industrial design project—a retreat for pups—was just shortlisted for the annual UK Barkitecture competition at Goodwoof. Our Hover design, modeled by Morris 🐕, caters to the various ways dogs sit, sleep, and lounge, inspired by the principles of weightlessness, flexibility, and comfort. Crafted from sustainable and recycled materials, the structure achieves maximum strength with minimal material use. The Barkitecture architectural exhibition and competition combines cutting-edge design with beautiful craftsmanship, creating the very best kennels for our canine companions. Participating architects were tasked with designing a kennel inspired by the theme “From Nature; For Nature,” creating the ultimate sanctuary for our four-legged friends that embraces the natural world. You can view all the finalists at the Goodwoof dog festival in May, where designs will be auctioned in support Wild at Heart Foundation—Goodwoof’s charity partner for 2025. MORE → bit.ly/3QWvHKl Images: © SOM

How do you plan a new future for a New York City icon while honoring its 90-year history and cultural legacy? In a story for The New York Times, Principal Frank Mahan, AIA, explains how we are bringing the landmark Waldorf Astoria New York back to its former grandeur with the past, present, and future in mind. “Only by understanding its history, the changes made over time, and contemporary requirements can we chart a new future for a building as significant as this," Mahan said in the article. "By balancing preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse throughout, we leveraged the building’s configuration—from column placement to window arrangement—to create character, rather than work against these elements. This has allowed us to create contemporary homes and amenities in which the past is nevertheless present.” Set to reopen as a hotel and residence this spring, the Waldorf Astoria will soon serve a new role in the city while remaining true to its legacy as one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture. Read the full story in The New York Times below. MORE → bit.ly/4ha4oHe Images: © Noë & Associates | Boundary

Now open! We’re accepting applications for our coveted Year One Program—a full-time, entry-level job opportunity that serves as a career accelerator for recent graduates. Each year, we select a group of dynamic new grads through a competitive application process and provide resources, mentorship, and support, enabling them to thrive in their new roles. A significant part of the program is focused on guiding new hires through their next milestones: obtaining licensure in architecture, engineering, urban planning, or interior design. Our Year One program picks up where formal education leaves off, with a suite of events and creative initiatives to help grads get the most out of a first-year career. To apply, see the open positions below. MORE → bit.ly/4cawGQ4 📷: Dave Burk, Lucas Blair Simpson, Francisco Lopez de Arenosa, Jade Leslie, Sirui Zhou, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, and Simon Beskitt

We’re proud to have taken first place in the International Competition for Planning and Architectural Ideas for the Binh Quoi – Thanh Da peninsula, a prime riverside location in Ho Chi Minh City. In collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Architecture Research Center, we envisioned a new benchmark for sustainability in the region, creating a next-generation urban center that seamlessly integrates human-centric design, ecological resilience, and economic prosperity. Leveraging innovative approaches and nature-based solutions to address flooding, mobility, and livability, the plan fosters new urban experiences and creates an extensive, accessible park network for city residents. Learn about the competition and plan below. MORE → bit.ly/4h6xI1r Images: © ATCHAIN

Unveiled last year, Sultan Haitham City is conceived as a new model for sustainable development in the Middle East. The development provides a mix of housing types within walking distance to new public amenities, parks, and vibrant open spaces. Featured as one of our projects to watch in 2025, the development will reach several milestones this year, including the transformation of a dry riverbed into a public park. Learn about it below. MORE → bit.ly/4ieu9qT Images: © SOM | ATCHAIN, Oman Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning