Silver Sponsor: Skidmore, Owings and Merill, LLP

SOM is an international architectural, engineering, planning and interior design firm, founded in 1936 in Chicago. The firm's worldwide reputation is based on a commitment to respond fully and creatively to our client's needs, a commitment that has produced nearly seven decades of exceptional work.
SOM's sophisticated technology innovations, combined with consistent design quality, have produced a portfolio that features some of the most important architectural achievements of the 20th century.

From our inception, SOM has been continually involved in major projects that have influenced urban, suburban, and community development throughout the United States and around the world. The firm's long-standing integration of urban design, master planning, architecture, engineering and interior design has resulted in more than 10,000 projects located in over 50 countries. Currently, the firm maintains offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

In an unprecedented decision, The American Institute of Architects has once again recognized SOM with the highest honor given to architectural firms, the 1996 Architecture Firm Award for distinguished architecture. SOM was the recipient of the first Architecture Firm Award in 1962 and is the first firm to win this award a second time. SOM's unyielding commitment to excellence results in the completion of visionary, functional and noteworthy buildings.

SOM's work ranges in scope from interior design to the master planning of entire communities. In addition to a significant residential practice, projects include civic and commercial office buildings, museums and cultural complexes, governmental and judicial buildings, healthcare and hotel developments, airports and transportation facilities and educational institutions.

SOM has led the way for planning and architectural efforts in Chicago for over 70 years. Our work includes some of our City's most familiar and beloved icons. The Sears Tower and the John Hancock Center, bookends of our superlative skyline, are SOM projects. The famous Picasso sculpture in Daly Plaza, McCormick Place, the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Center, and the Civic Opera House all bear the marks of our commitment to creating landmark designs that promote dramatic improvements in the quality of city life and the image of the city.