ASSIGNMENT - 2

The Turning Point of 10 Architectural Firms

SUBMITTED BY

B . TANMAYEE - 18171AA009
DHAVAL PATEL - 18171AA014
K. NAVEEN REDDY - 18171AA030
K. SATHVIKA REDDY - 18171AA031
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

• Founded in Chicago in 1936, SOM has been a

major player in the architecture industry for over 80
years.

• However, it wasn't until the 1950s and 60s that they

truly made their mark with iconic structures such as
Lever House and the John Hancock Center.

• The turning point for SOM came in the 1980s when

they expanded globally and began taking on large-
scale projects such as the Canary Wharf
development in London and the Jin Mao Tower in
Shanghai.

• This expansion solidified their position as one of

the top architecture firms in the world.
Gensler

• Founded in San Francisco in 1965, Gensler started

out as a small firm specializing in corporate interiors.

• However, they quickly grew and expanded into

other areas such as retail and hospitality design.

• The turning point for Gensler came in the early

2000s when they began focusing on sustainability and
incorporating it into all of their designs.

• This commitment to sustainability not only set them

apart from other firms, but also helped them win
major contracts such as the LEED Platinum
certification for the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco.
 HOK

• Founded in St. Louis in 1955, HOK has been

involved in some of the most iconic
architectural projects in history such as the
Sydney Opera House and the National Air and
Space Museum.

• The turning point for HOK came in the

1990s when they began expanding globally
and focusing on sustainable design.

• This led to major projects such as the King

Abdullah University of Science and Technology
in Saudi Arabia, which was designed to be one
of the most sustainable campuses in the world.
 Perkins+Will

• Founded in Chicago in 1935, Perkins+Will has been at

the forefront of sustainable design for decades.

• They were one of the first firms to incorporate green

roofs and other sustainable features into their designs.

• The turning point for Perkins+Will came in the early

2000s when they began focusing on evidence-based
design.

• This approach uses research and data to inform design

decisions and has led to major projects such as the LEED
Platinum certified Rush University Medical Center in
Chicago.
Foster + Partners
• Founded in London in 1967, Foster +
Partners has been responsible for some of the
most innovative and iconic buildings in the
world such as the Gherkin in London and the
Hearst Tower in New York.

• The turning point for Foster + Partners came

in the 1990s when they began incorporating
sustainable design principles into all of their
projects.

• This commitment to sustainability has led to

major projects such as the Masdar City
development in Abu Dhabi, which is designed
to be one of the most sustainable cities in the
world.
Zaha Hadid Architects

• Founded by the late Zaha Hadid in London in 1980,

Zaha Hadid Architects has been pushing the
boundaries of architecture for over 40 years.

• Known for their innovative designs and use of

technology, they have been responsible for some of
the most iconic buildings in the world such as the
Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan.

• The turning point for Zaha Hadid Architects came in

the early 2000s when they began taking on larger and
more complex projects such as the Beijing Daxing
International Airport.

• This project, which opened in 2019, is one of the

largest airports in the world and features a unique
design inspired by traditional Chinese architecture.
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)

• BIG experienced a turning point with the completion

of the 8 House in Copenhagen in 2010.

• This mixed-use building, shaped like the number

eight, exemplified BIG's approach to combining
sustainability, social interaction, and innovative
design, propelling the firm to international acclaim.

• 8 House (Copenhagen, Denmark): Completed in

2010, 8 House is a mixed-use development designed
by Bjarke Ingels Group. It comprises both residential
and commercial spaces in a figure-eight-shaped
structure. The building provides a dynamic and
sustainable living environment with a mixture of
townhouses, apartments, and offices. 8 House reflects
BIG's approach to combining innovative design,
sustainable concepts, and social interaction within a
single project.
 Sou Fujimoto Architects

• Fujimoto's turning point came with the completion

of the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London in
2013. His ethereal and transparent design,
composed of interlocking white steel poles,
showcased his unique approach to blending
architecture with nature.

• Serpentine Gallery Pavilion (London, United

Kingdom): In 2013, Sou Fujimoto was
commissioned to design the Serpentine Gallery
Pavilion, an annual temporary structure in London's
Kensington Gardens. Fujimoto's design was a
delicate lattice of interlocking white steel poles,
creating a cloud-like, transparent structure. The
pavilion blurred the boundaries between
architecture and nature, offering visitors a unique
spatial experience.
 Herzog & de Meuron
• The turning point for this architectural duo was the
completion of the Tate Modern in London in 2000.
The adaptive reuse of the former Bankside Power
Station showcased their ability to transform
industrial structures into cultural landmarks and
solidified their reputation as innovative architects.

• Tate Modern (London, United Kingdom):

Completed in 2000, the Tate Modern is an adaptive
reuse project that transformed the former Bankside
Power Station into a world-renowned art museum.
Herzog & de Meuron's design retained the
industrial character of the building while adding
contemporary elements. The museum's interior
spaces, with their vast galleries and innovative
lighting, provide an exceptional backdrop for the
display of modern and contemporary art.
OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture):

• Turning Point: OMA experienced a turning

point with the completion of the Casa da
Música in Porto, Portugal.

• The Casa da Música, completed in 2005, is a

concert hall characterized by its distinctive
sculptural form and unconventional layout.

• The building's angular shapes and textured

facade showcase OMA's willingness to
challenge traditional architectural norms. The
success of the Casa da Música helped
establish OMA as a leading architectural firm
known for its bold and unconventional
designs.