Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is one of the largest architecture and design firms in the world

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is an international architecture, engineering, and urban design firm founded in 1936. The firm designs buildings, infrastructure, and urban spaces across the United States and globally. SOM is known for large-scale commercial projects, including office towers, airports, cultural institutions, and master-planned communities. The firm operates from multiple offices and employs thousands of architects, engineers, and designers.

SOM works with corporate clients, government agencies, and developers on projects that range from single buildings to entire districts. The firm's work spans commercial real estate, transportation, hospitality, education, and civic infrastructure. If you are researching architecture firms for a project, understanding what SOM does and how it operates can help you decide whether the firm is a fit for your needs.

Key Takeaways

  • SOM was founded in 1936 and has grown into a global firm with offices in major cities worldwide, employing architects, engineers, and designers across multiple disciplines.
  • The firm specializes in large commercial and institutional projects, including skyscrapers, airports, master plans, and infrastructure, rather than residential or small-scale work.
  • SOM's clients are typically corporations, real estate developers, and government bodies with budgets and timelines suited to major construction projects.
  • The firm is organized into studios and practice areas, each focused on specific building types or project scales, allowing teams to develop deep informed in their specialties.

The firm's history and founding partners

SOM was established by three architects: Louis Skidmore, Nathaniel Owings, and John Merrill. The firm began in Chicago and quickly became known for modernist design and structural innovation. Over nearly nine decades, SOM has designed some of the world's most recognizable buildings and has shaped urban skylines across multiple continents.

The firm's reputation grew through landmark projects completed in the mid-to-late twentieth century and continues to take on major commissions today. SOM remains one of the few architecture firms that has maintained consistent influence and scale across generations of architects and changing design movements.

What types of projects SOM takes on

SOM focuses on large-scale projects that require coordination across architecture, structural engineering, and systems design. The firm's portfolio includes corporate headquarters, financial district towers, airports, museums, universities, and master-planned communities. Most projects are commercial or institutional rather than residential, though SOM has designed mixed-use developments that include housing.

The firm typically works on projects with substantial budgets and complex technical requirements. If you are a developer or organization planning a major building or district-scale project, SOM's scale and informed may be relevant. Smaller projects or residential-only work are generally outside the firm's focus.

How SOM is organized internally

SOM operates through multiple offices located in cities including Chicago, New York, San Francisco, London, Shanghai, and others. Within each office, the firm is divided into studios and practice areas organized by project type or building category. This structure allows teams to develop specialized knowledge in areas like transportation, corporate design, cultural institutions, or urban planning.

Each studio typically includes architects, engineers, and consultants who collaborate on projects from concept through construction. Senior partners and design leaders guide the direction and quality of work. This organization means that different teams within SOM may have different informed, and a project's success often depends on which studio leads the work.

How to contact SOM or explore working with the firm

SOM's main website lists contact information for each office and describes the firm's current work and capabilities. If you represent an organization considering a major project, you can reach out to the office nearest your location or the office in the region where your project is located. The firm typically responds to inquiries from developers, corporations, and institutions with projects that match its scale and informed.

SOM also publishes information about its design philosophy, past projects, and team members. Many of the firm's completed buildings are documented in architectural publications and on the firm's own portfolio pages, which can give you a sense of the firm's approach and quality.

SOM's role in the architecture industry

SOM is recognized as a leader in large-scale architectural practice and has influenced how major buildings and urban spaces are designed and built. The firm's work in structural innovation, sustainable design, and urban planning has shaped industry standards. Many architects and engineers trained at SOM have gone on to lead other firms or teach in architecture schools.

The firm's influence extends beyond individual buildings to how cities plan and develop. SOM's master plans and urban design work have shaped districts and regions, and the firm's research into building performance and sustainability informs broader industry practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SOM design residential buildings or houses?

SOM occasionally includes residential components in mixed-use projects, but the firm does not typically focus on single-family homes or residential-only buildings. The firm's informed and business model are built around large commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects.

How much does it cost to hire SOM for a project?

SOM's fees vary based on project scope, complexity, and location. The firm typically works on projects with substantial budgets—usually in the tens of millions of dollars or higher. You would need to contact the relevant office directly to discuss your specific project and receive a fee proposal.

Can I tour a building designed by SOM?

Many SOM-designed buildings are open to the public, including office lobbies, airports, and cultural institutions. Some buildings offer tours or have visitor centers. Check the specific building's website or contact information to learn about public access and tour availability.

How do I find out which SOM office is nearest me?

SOM's website lists all active offices by city and region. You can also search the firm's portfolio by location to see projects completed in your area, which can help you identify the relevant office for your region.

What makes SOM different from other large architecture firms?

SOM's scale, integrated engineering informed, and focus on large institutional and commercial work distinguish it from many other firms. The firm's long history and consistent influence on major projects also set it apart, though other large firms compete in similar markets and on similar project types.