Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

We just wrapped National Hispanic Heritage Month—a time to honor the cultures, stories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities around the world. This year, SOM’s employee resource group Arquitectos led the celebration under the theme “Matices” (meaning nuances or shades). Across Austin, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, we hosted a month of conversations, creative workshops, and community events that brought this theme to life. In New York, Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA President-Elect, joined us for a global presentation with Latinos In Design on representation and accessibility in the profession. Our Leadership Perspectives series featured a panel discussion with Fernando Herrera, Emil Duval, and Alejandra Royo Pallares, who shared reflections on identity, culture, and creativity in design. We also supported charitable efforts in our communities, and in Austin, our team created an installation for AIA Austin’s Las Piñatas exhibition, celebrating Día de los Muertos. We are thankful to our many colleagues for their commitment to fostering community, connection, and cultural awareness throughout SOM. 📷: © SOM

Opening today in Madrid, a new exhibition demonstrates how architects and engineers collaborate. “Interconexiones: Arquitectura e Ingeniería en SOM” reveals SOM’s design process by focusing on the connection joints—or nodes—in seven projects. Presented in a series of scale models installed in the courtyard of the University of Alcalá , each building detail reveals the architectural and structural challenges that the design team sought to resolve. Learn about the exhibition below. MORE → bit.ly/47zcMNZ

Following her recent appointment as Chair of the 2025 RIBA Silver Medal jury, SOM Sustainability Director Mina Hasman was featured on the Solving for Climate podcast, a series that spotlights leading voices in innovation, design, and entrepreneurship addressing the global climate crisis. Hasman discussed with data scientist Dr. Hannah Ritchie our partnership with Prometheus Materials on algae-based, carbon-sequestering alternatives to concrete—along with the systems-based approach to Urban Sequoia, which envisions cities as living, breathing ecologies capable of achieving dramatic reductions in whole-life carbon. Continue on to hear the podcast and learn about her service on the RIBA President’s Medals jury. MORE → bit.ly/48qQGiC

From January 12-16, students will join SOM studios around the world for a week of immersive learning, mentorship, and insight into some of the most exciting and transformative architecture, engineering, and planning projects in the world through our Winter Shadowship. Interested in participating or know someone who would? The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students in architecture, engineering, urban planning, interior design, or related fields who share our commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across the AEC industry. Throughout the week, participants will connect with designers and engineers across multiple disciplines, attend lectures and events, and gain first-hand experience in our studios. Sponsored by SOM’s Employee Resource Groups, including Arquitectos, Asian Alliance, SOM NOMA, Pride, and the Women’s Initiative, the Shadowship will take place in person across our New York, Dubai, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, and London studios. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on November 1, 2025. Throw your hat in the ring below! MORE → bit.ly/478Xzmv

Our design for the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia, has been honored with a 2025 AIA International Design Award.    Located in Namibia’s capital city, the U.S. Embassy Windhoek fosters diplomatic collaboration between the United States and Namibia in harmony with Windhoek’s stunning natural landscape, complete with locally sourced materials, energy efficient design, and unobstructed views of the Eros and Auas mountain ranges. Thoughtfully designed to prioritize connection and conservation, the complex features flexible office spaces, drought-resistant gardens, and a three-story atrium featuring artworks by American and Namibian artists. Learn about the project below. MORE → bit.ly/3Wz0CPN Images: Dave Burk © SOM

Construction is underway on the superstructure of the Tung Chung East Commercial Development—marking an important milestone in our collaboration with Chinachem Group, Gammon Construction Limited, and ALKF. Located along the northwestern coast of Lantau Island, the project reimagines the waterfront as a vibrant new hub for work, commerce, and community life. Spanning more than 1.2 million square feet, the mixed-use development brings together Grade A office space, retail, and Hong Kong’s first vertical data center—woven into a walkable, sustainable urban framework. A series of publicly accessible plazas, sky gardens, and active terraces offers spaces for connection, leisure, and reflection—framing panoramic views of Lantau’s green peaks. Learn about it below. MORE → bit.ly/42uo5Fl Images: SOM | TIPTOP

At SOM, we believe design has the power to foster a collaborative, flexible, and healthy workplace culture. We’re excited to be partnering with Goldman Sachs on its new NorthEnd campus in Dallas, Texas. Working alongside Rottet Studio and Corgan, we are designing an 800,000-square-foot workplace that embodies Goldman Sachs’ ethos, while celebrating the distinct local culture and community.   “Reflecting our longstanding collaboration with Goldman Sachs, we designed a workplace that enables hyper-flexibility, prioritizes sustainability, and helps to create connections among people and with nature," said Ece Calguner Erzan, Interior Design Principal. Read the press release below. MORE → bit.ly/48gZrf2 Image: © SOM 

Last week, we celebrated the completion of the 2026 Winter Olympics Athlete’s Village in Porta Romana, Milan, alongside COIMA. The project has been delivered to the Milano Cortina Foundation for final preparations ahead of the Winter Games. The Porta Romana Olympic Village leverages a rare opportunity to create a sustainable, intergenerational, and green community in the heart of Milan’s dynamic Porta Romana district. Designed to become an integral part of Milan’s urban fabric, the village encompasses a set of public green spaces, the transformation of two historic structures, and six new residential buildings that will serve Olympic athletes in the short term and subsequently transition into Italy’s largest affordable student-housing development to address a critical shortage of student accommodations. “We were compelled by the opportunity to design a project that is purpose built for one usage that then will transform for another permanent purpose—and to do so in the most sustainable and urbanistically responsible way possible,” said Partner Colin Koop. “Ultimately, the village will become a vibrant, self-sustaining neighborhood built around principles of social equity, environmental commitment, wellness, inclusivity, and resilience.” For more, read the press release below. MORE → bit.ly/42x78Kl Images: 1. + 3. Dave Burk © SOM 2. Colin Koop © SOM 4. + 5. © SOM | Pixelflakes

Each year, Climate Week NYC challenges us to think critically and collaboratively about how the building industry can, and must, respond to the climate crisis. “We work across many scales—from site-specific projects to district master plans to regional city strategies for energy, mobility, and resilience,” said Andrew Leung, AICP, Associate Principal in our City Design Practice for a recent spotlight in Urban Design Forum. “The goal is always to create a more sustainable and resilient future. I see it as our responsibility to find paths forward and set examples that others can build upon.” In the feature, Leung highlights the New York Climate Exchange, a first-of-its kind international center for developing solutions to the climate crisis.    The Exchange served as a case study during a mobilization event we hosted in our New York studio last week in partnership with City CDR Initiative. Partners Adam Semel, Chris Cooper FAIA, LEED AP, and Carrie Moore joined city officials, Indigenous leaders, urban designers, planners, and carbon removal experts to explore the idea of Carbon Sink Cities—a visionary proposal that reimagines cities as catalysts for carbon removal, paving the way toward a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive future. 📷 : Marco Marilli © SOM, Mei Lun Xue © SOM, Urban Design Forum

The new terminal at Kansas City International Airport—designed, planned, and engineering by SOM with design-builder Clark Construction Group | The Weitz Company | Clarkson Construction Company (CWC)—is the largest single infrastructure project in the region’s history and exemplifies what an integrated, design-build team can accomplish. Recognizing its innovation and execution, the project received a National Award of Merit from Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)—a competitive program that honors design-build projects demonstrating technical excellence, collaborative spirit, and forward-thinking creativity. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the airport during next week’s guided tour, held in conjunction with the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Annual Conference. The tour offers insight into the design process, inclusive amenities, sustainable features, as well as the dozens of local, minority- and women-owned businesses that contributed to the terminal’s success. In addition to the tour, you can visit us at the Grad Fair & Corporate Expo during this year’s NOMA Conference, where leaders Julia Skeete and Olin McKenzie will jury the Barbara G. Laurie NOMA Student Design Competition. The award → bit.ly/487MOTu NOMA Conference → bit.ly/4o2cXYB 📷: Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM