Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

Otemachi One received the 2024 ULI Asia Pacific Award of Excellence, an honor awarded to outstanding development projects in the Asia Pacific region. As the largest mixed-use development in Tokyo’s Otemachi district, Otemachi One accentuates the neighborhood’s history, while signaling its position at the forefront of technology and innovation. The project comprises two towers featuring offices, retail, an event hall, a Four Seasons Hotel, and new public spaces that create an amenity for the community. Winners were announced during the ULI Asia Pacific Summit in Tokyo. Accepting the award on behalf of SOM were Principal Nicolas Medrano, AIA, Japan Business Leader Kenichiro Suzuki, AIA, and Principal Vram Malek. MORE → bit.ly/4bEmOhr 📷: © Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. and Shinkenchiku-sha

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference on Architecture & Design starts today! Follow SOM throughout the conference for tours of our projects, events at our D.C. studio, and educational sessions. See the schedule below. #AIA24 MORE → bit.ly/3V896gY 📷: National Museum of the U.S. Army | Image © Dave Burk, SOM

Designed as a "terminal in a garden," Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru — Terminal 2 won the People’s Choice and Jury Vote for “Sustainable Transportation Project” in the Architizer A+ Awards. The new terminal runs on renewable energy and is the largest airport building in the world to have been pre-certified as LEED Platinum by USGBC prior to commencing operations. In addition, the High Line – Moynihan Connector—a 600-foot-long elevated walkway designed with Field Operations—won the People’s Choice vote in the “Architecture + Landscape” category. Read more about our projects and the A+ winners below.

The Washington Chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC) has recognized some of our latest civic work, as well as the studio where much of that work is created, with design awards for architecture and interiors. The U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (pictured), a new vertical campus for the U.S. Department of Transportation's research division in Cambridge, Massachusetts, won an Award in Architecture. SOM empowered the center to reveal itself after spending decades in a gated setting—bringing the entire innovation hub under one roof and adding outdoor public space where none existed before. With a distinctive facade defined by solar-shading fins, the building is oriented to maximize daylighting, while the glass and aluminum exterior is crafted in different arrangements to minimize glare as part of a LEED Platinum certification target. In the Interior Architecture category, the Washington, D.C., SOM office earned a citation for its "design for resources," a tenet of AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence that emphasizes the importance of durability, safety, health, and sustainability when selecting materials. With natural finishes, smart technology, biophilia, and settings for both group activity and quiet work, the design represents the type of studio that can bring out the best in everyone—a showcase for best practices in 21st-century workplace design. Learn about both projects below. MORE → bit.ly/4aLnyjB Images: Dave Burk © SOM 

On this final day of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) History Month, we reflect back on the contributions of our AAPI colleagues, their experiences, and advice for fostering inclusivity. "One way architects and engineers can foster inclusivity and help their AAPI colleagues succeed is by creating and nurturing inclusive environments," said Giada Campigotto, whom we caught up with this week along with Jannat Nain. "This involves actively mentoring people from all backgrounds, ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected." This year, we recognized AAPI History Month under the theme of “Confluence” through the perspectives of six of our AAPI colleagues around the globe. Read on for all the interviews from London to Los Angeles. MORE → bit.ly/3ULy3yK

If you missed our Bloomberg coverage this morning on our partnership with Energy Vault, read on about the next generation of renewable energy. Having made strides in gravity energy storage systems (GESS)—which hold the potential to store and supply renewable energy to the power grid safely, for long periods, and without degrading—Energy Vault sought out SOM’s architecture and engineering expertise to develop the next generation of GESS technology. When integrated into tall buildings, these systems can maximize sustainability, accelerate carbon payback of building construction, and lower the levelized cost of energy consumption. Dive in more to the buildings-as-batteries concept in our research below. MORE → bit.ly/4bZfVa7 📷: © Energy Vault Holdings, Inc.

What if a building could become a battery, making renewable power more consistent? We've partnered with Energy Vault (NYSE: NRGV) to optimize its gravity energy storage system—where heavy blocks stored high, when lowered, create energy that can be converted into electricity. Launched today, our prototypes include deployable structures that can leverage existing slopes to store energy with minimal environmental impact, as well as 1,000-meter towers, which could offset the carbon footprint of construction in record time. As Energy Vault's exclusive architect and engineer, we are excited to apply our expertise in tall buildings to this new typology, supporting our transition away from fossil fuels. Read more in Bloomberg’s coverage below. MORE → bit.ly/3yAGVyi

In Guadalajara, Mexico, we recently broke ground on what will be the tallest building in the Andares Zapopan district. Legend—designed in partnership with Mexico City-based Estudio AMA with hotel interiors by Esrawe Studio—spans more than 110,000 square meters and brings together an exclusive mix of luxury residences, a Canopy by Hilton hotel, boutique retail shops, and office space. “Legend is a project that is of its time and place, bringing international stature rooted in local culture, materials, and craft,” said SOM Design Principal José Luis Palacios. Added Estudio AMA Founder Andres Munoz-Alarcon, “Legend is the culmination of the best minds collaborating to achieve the most representative project of Guadalajara. Inspired by local traditions and seeking evolution to become the project that will represent a historic change in its context.” Learn more about the project, slated for completion in 2029, in the full story below. MORE → bit.ly/3VnpMkR Images: © SOM | Estudio AMA | RAUM | Norviska Inverti Corporativo

We are bringing our design expertise to Chicago O'Hare International Airport! Today, the City of Chicago unveiled our design for Satellite Concourse 1, the first phase of the O’Hare 21 Terminal Area Plan, a curb-to-gate transformation of O’Hare International Airport into a modern, efficient global hub. We are thrilled to share this milestone with our team—Ross Barney Architects, JGMA, Arup, and others—with whom we have been collaborating since winning the international design competition to design the satellite concourses that will set a new standard for passenger experience, comfort, and operational efficiency at O'Hare. Serving both international and domestic passengers, Satellite 1 will add 19 flexible new gates and contribute to a considerable reduction in layover transfers for passengers in one of the nation’s busiest airports. "We designed the new satellite concourse to create a frictionless experience for travelers, on par with the best airports in the world," said Partner Scott Duncan. "The gate lounges feature column-free expanses for easy wayfinding, high ceilings to optimize views, and a daylighting strategy to help align the body's natural rhythms–all to make the experience of air travel more pleasurable." Construction on the concourse began in March 2023 and is on track for completion in 2028. Read more in the Crain's Chicago Business article below. MORE → bit.ly/3wQ3jDx 📷: SOM and NORVISKA Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) - O'Hare & Midway International Airports

All month long, in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we've been getting to better know our AAPI colleagues around the globe and learning about their experiences in design. So far, we've learned about the projects and perspectives of several SOM staffers, including Yunlu Shen, PE, SE, Inho Rhee, AIA, LEED AP BD-C, Christina S., and this week, Sepideh O. Dive into the conversations below as we work to inspire inclusivity. MORE → bit.ly/3ULy3yK