Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our former Chairman David M. Childs, FAIA, who died peacefully at home Wednesday at the age of 83, surrounded by his family. David joined SOM's Washington, D.C., studio in 1971, and over the next 50 years, he was instrumental in many of SOM’s most impactful projects, including a master plan for the National Mall, the expansion of Dulles International Airport, and both One World Trade Center and 7 World Trade Center in New York City. His contributions to the profession were extensive and profound, and we will always be grateful for David's leadership, mentorship, and friendship. We will miss him dearly and extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to his family. Read his obituary in The New York Times and view a selection of his iconic legacy below. MORE → bit.ly/3DXvN1A Images: ▫️ Portrait | Greg Betz ▫️ One World Trade Center | © James Ewing Photography ▫️ 7 World Trade Center | © David Sundberg | Esto ▫️ Washington Dulles International Airport - Main Terminal AeroTrain Station | © Jeff Goldberg | Esto ▫️ Washington Mall and Constitution Gardens
| Getty Images | iStockphoto © picturist ▫️ 35 Hudson Yards | Dave Burk © SOM ▫️ JP Morgan Chase - 383 Madison | © David Sundberg | Esto ▫️ JFK International Airport - International Arrivals Building, Terminal 4 | © Jeff Goldberg | Esto

Since 2013, SOM has collaborated with Los Angeles World Airports on 11 transformative projects, including the LAX Design Guidelines. This comprehensive vision aims to enhance operations and elevate the passenger experience at one of the busiest international airports in the United States. SOM’s approach for LAX seamlessly integrates new and existing facilities to improve efficiency, create visual harmony, and provide intuitive wayfinding—all while honoring the airport’s modernist design legacy. The Terminal Facade Design Guidelines have informed ongoing renovations, including improved connections for arrivals, departures, and pedestrian interfaces with the airport’s Automated People Mover system. The guidelines are now a vital resource for design professionals, developers, builders, contractors, and the community, supporting current upgrades and future developments at the airport. Learn about our role in shaping the future of LAX below. MORE → bit.ly/4kVcTt3 📷: © Mike Kelley

“Indian airports are some of the most beautiful in the world,” writes The Economist as Principal Derek A. R. Moore shares his insights into our designs for Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai (pictured). Both serve as international gateways that embody the culture and heritage of India. “[We] wanted to ensure that when someone arrives at the airport they will instantly know they are in India,” said Moore. Learn more about how these projects stand apart from other international airports in The Economist below. MORE → bit.ly/4iOzx4o 📷 : Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM

We are proud to present our third annual Climate Action Report—a survey of our ongoing work to confront the climate crisis through action, innovation, and collaboration. Over the past year, we have continued to reduce embodied and operational carbon emissions in our projects to pursue high-impact partnerships and research while using our influence in the industry to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon built environment. As the effects of climate change are increasingly felt in the cities where we live and work, we remain committed advocates for our shared environment. In a challenging political and economic climate, we must redouble our efforts to push for lower-carbon materials, lower-energy designs, and innovative technologies that will enable us to surpass regulations and set new benchmarks. Meaningful climate action is a shared endeavor, requiring partnership across the public, private, and academic sectors. This report is an invitation to collaborate—we hope you join us. MORE → bit.ly/4iMZ1PK

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