Architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, often denoted by the acronym SOM.
Expanding Horizons: Notable Architectural Projects Transforming Cities
In the realm of urban development, several notable projects are redefining the skylines and vitalizing the heart of cities across the globe. Here's a look at some of the most exciting projects designed by the global firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).
One Manhattan West
Located in the bustling city of New York, One Manhattan West is an impressive 70-story, 996-feet tall office building. The site posed challenges due to its location above underground rail tracks, but the design team masterfully created a 42-foot column-free lobby at the base of the tower. The lobby, a triple-height room made of travertine marble, emphasizes openness with a glass fin perimeter wall.
One Manhattan West: A Pioneer in Sustainability
Sustainability and wellness are integral to the architecture and engineering of One Manhattan West. The building is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.
The Stratford
In the heart of Stratford, London, stands The Stratford — a 143m tower that combines apartments, a hotel, sky gardens, restaurants, a spa, and event studios. The tower's design includes a double cantilevered structure that carves three sky gardens into the building's profile. The double cantilevered design employs post-tensioning methods and scale of components typically seen only in large infrastructure projects. The Stratford reimagines high-rise living and offers a variety of residential typologies.
The Stratford: A New Standard for High-Rise Living
The Stratford sets a new standard for high-rise living, combining luxury and sustainability in a way that enhances the urban landscape. The tower's design is a testament to SOM's innovative approach to architecture and engineering.
The Moscone Center Expansion
In San Francisco, the Moscone Center is undergoing an expansion as part of a 25-year master plan designed by SOM and Mark Cavagnero Associates. The new expansion aims to meet the evolving needs of a modern city by increasing contiguous and total exhibition space, ballroom, meeting rooms, and other state-of-the-art convention facilities. The Moscone Center serves as a key economic driver for the city and is located in its cultural hub.
The Billie Jean King Main Library
The Billie Jean King Main Library in Long Beach, California, is a shining example of modern library design. Designed to provide a welcoming and flexible environment, the library serves more than 1,000 daily visitors. The facility features a family learning center, children's reading room, veterans' resource center, and makerspaces with capabilities for film editing, 3-D printing, and robotics.
Each of these projects demonstrates SOM's commitment to creating spaces that are not only visually stunning but also functional and sustainable. By integrating sustainability, wellness, and innovative design, SOM continues to push the boundaries of architecture and engineering, transforming cities and enhancing the lives of those who live, work, and visit them.
