Commercial – SOM

SOM Renews Rondo 1 in Warsaw

Ayesha Kapila — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:44:08 +0000

Construction is set to begin this month on the renewal of the lobby at Rondo 1, reimaging the heart of one of Warsaw’s most significant commercial tall buildings. The project marks the next chapter in the evolution of a building that has shaped the city’s skyline for two decades.
Designed by SOM and completed in 2006, Rondo 1 was originally conceived to offer a new work environment adaptable to a wide range of ways of working, contribute to a more liveable urban experience, and represent Warsaw’s place within a global democratic society. Its composition—defined by detached vertical transportation cores, multi-story atria, and a triple-height atrium at ground level—expresses clarity, efficiency, and civic presence. Nearly 20 years later, SOM has been commissioned to renew the building’s 5975-square-meter ground-floor lobby. The design transforms the space into a contemporary “living room” for the building: a flexible, open environment that supports focused work, informal meetings, and social exchange throughout the day.
“It is rewarding to return to the project at this exciting moment as it repositions itself within the Warsaw skyline and commercial market,” said Partner Kent Jackson. “We have renewed the public-facing areas, shaping spaces that support how people work, meet, and connect every day. The upgraded common areas bring in natural light and greenery, prioritizing the wellbeing of all users and visitors—setting a new benchmark for the workplace experience in the city.” The renewal introduces a cohesive sequence of amenity spaces from arrival onward with indoor planting and greenery to enhance occupant wellbeing. A new coffee kiosk introduces activity and vitality, providing a welcoming experience for tenants and visitors alike.
While the tower’s architectural framework and material language remain intact, the lobby interiors are refreshed. Bespoke joinery and finishes are designed for durability, with carefully selected materials and furniture reinforcing the building’s timeless elegance. Overhead, a series of sculptural, backlit ceiling lanterns animate the expansive volume, adding light and visual depth. The renewal also encompasses other shared areas, including Level 37 at the top of the building, the lift sky lobbies, and the ground-floor common spaces of the adjoining retail building. Rondo 1’s Winter Garden is also refreshed, designed as a distinct yet complementary space to the lobby.
Overall, the project reinforces Rondo 1’s legacy as a landmark of Warsaw’s commercial and urban life. By integrating the building’s iconic architecture with contemporary workplace principles—connectivity, adaptability, and wellbeing—the renewal demonstrates SOM’s enduring commitment to shaping environments that enhance both the city and the people who inhabit it.

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Taiwan Power Nangang CR1

Admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:06:11 +0000

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Xiong’an Sinochem Headquarters

Admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:55:19 +0000

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SOM Reveals Landmark Towers for Kazakhstan’s Alatau City

Ayesha Kapila — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:57:24 +0000

The Alatau Iconic Complex and Gateway District is designed to support long-term growth and opportunity in the Almaty region through a resilient, site-specific, and transit-oriented approach.
Positioned within the new city of Alatau—a flagship project for Kazakhstan set to become a Central Asian international hub—the SOM-designed Iconic Complex and Gateway District will serve as the city’s economic and administrative nucleus.
Located along the Almaty-Qonaev highway, a key section of the Western Europe-Western China transport corridor, Alatau is planned to span 88,000 hectares across four districts. Strategically positioned to enhance regional connectivity, economic development, and innovation, the new city will link Almaty with Central Asia and beyond.
At the centre of this vision, SOM’s Iconic Complex forms a 276,800-square-meter vertical district defined by a pair of gateway towers. Integrating office, residential, hospitality, retail, and cultural programmes, the development establishes a dense, mixed-use urban core for the emerging city. Inspired by the surrounding Trans-Ili Alatau—a 350-kilometre range of valleys, glaciers, and stratified terrain—the design translates these local natural formations into architecture, creating a unique identity rooted in the Kazakh landscape.
Rising 272 meters, the primary tower will accommodate office space and premium residences, becoming the tallest structure in the Almaty region and southern Kazakhstan upon completion. An adjacent 80-metre tower with a luxury hotel and branded residences reinforces the district’s mixed-use intensity. Both buildings feature high-performance façades and integrated shading strategies to reduce solar gain, while central atria draw natural light deep into the floorplates and frame panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
At the base, a three-level podium of 58,000 square meters anchors the complex. Echoing the local foothills of the Alatau, it terraces toward the public realm, accommodating retail, cultural venues, and event spaces while fostering active pedestrian engagement.
The project draws on SOM’s global expertise in designing landmark tall buildings—including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, One World Trade Center in New York, and Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai— towers that redefine skylines while advancing structural and environmental innovation. This experience informs both the design and engineering of the Iconic Complex, ensuring it becomes a defining symbol of Alatau City.
The region’s high seismic conditions drive the project’s integrated architectural and structural design. Structural resilience is embedded in the architecture, with seismically resilient framing and damping systems—proven in high-seismic regions such as Japan and Taiwan—that dissipate earthquake energy and ensure long-term safety and post-disaster functionality.
The surrounding Gateway District leverages SOM’s international planning expertise, prioritizing walkability, density, and multimodal transportation. Planned express rail and Light Rail Transit (LRT) corridors position the district as a regional transit hub, while green boulevards, shaded streets, and public plazas foster a human-scaled urban experience. The project also integrates advanced micromobility infrastructure, including provisions for Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, alongside pedestrian and transit networks, to ensure the city is connected at every scale.
The project is led by the Alatau City Development Group LLP alongside long-term investors and government partners supporting Alatau as a strategic national initiative. Once complete, the Iconic Complex and Gateway District will form a vertically integrated, mobility-oriented, and culturally attuned urban heart of Alatau, setting a new benchmark for city-making in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia.
About Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global practice of architects, designers, engineers, and planners, responsible for some of the world’s most technically and environmentally advanced buildings and significant public spaces. The firm’s approach is highly collaborative, and its interdisciplinary team is engaged in a wide range of international projects, with creative studios based across the globe. The firm’s portfolio includes numerous innovative landmark towers, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, One World Trade Center in New York, and Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, as well as large-scale urban planning initiatives that integrate density, mobility, and sustainability—including the award-winning Sultan Haitham City in Muscat, Oman, and the recently unveiled masterplan for Bradfield City, Australia’s first new city in more than a century.

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Dennis Ho

Admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:33:08 +0000

Dennis Ho drives strategic business development in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, cultivating client relationships and promoting SOM’s expertise in design, engineering, sustainability, and planning. His project work encompasses a wide range of scales and sectors, from urban master plans, transit-oriented developments, and research campuses to hotels, commercial buildings, and residential projects. Throughout his career, he has brought this comprehensive expertise to countries across APAC including Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam—developing extensive knowledge of the diverse cultures that comprise the region.
An adjunct professor of architecture and urban design at the City University of Hong Kong, Dennis teaches students how human-centric and regenerative design can create a positive impact culturally, socially, economically, and environmentally. This mindset guides his approach to his work, as well as his leadership as Chair of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Hong Kong Chapter, where he prioritizes education and collaboration among more than 1,000 members.

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The Springs District

Admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:32:19 +0000

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530 Sansome

Admin — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:42:12 +0000

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Rocky Mountain Power Headquarters Breaks Ground

Ana.Cuadra@som.com — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:07:46 +0000

The Power District on the west side of Salt Lake City celebrated a major milestone today with the groundbreaking of Rocky Mountain Power’s new 10-story, 300,000-square-foot corporate headquarters, the first building in the district’s 100+ acre mixed-use master plan. Designed by SOM, the all-electric campus draws inspiration from the historic Gadsby Power Plant, translating the district’s industrial past into a modern, efficient, and human-centered workplace. Purpose-built for Rocky Mountain Power, the building features flexible, high-performance workspaces, outdoor terraces, and thoughtfully articulated exterior forms that establish a distinctive presence on the skyline. Its design responds to the company’s culture, workforce, and role in the community, creating a workplace that is both a landmark and a catalyst for The Power District. Once complete, the headquarters will anchor a vibrant new neighborhood, integrating office, housing, retail all connected to riverfront enhancements and an improved Jordan River Trail.

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Work Commences on Tung Chung East Commercial Hub

Jade Leslie — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:08:10 +0000

Construction of the superstructure is now underway at the Tung Chung East Commercial Development, marking a key milestone in the project’s delivery. Representatives from Chinachem Group, Gammon Construction Limited, ALKF, and SOM’s design team gathered on site to commemorate the occasion.
Situated on the northwestern coast of Lantau Island, the development is part of a broader effort to transform the area into a new commercial and civic hub. The project covers more than 1.2 million square feet and will include Grade A office space, retail, and Hong Kong’s first vertical data center—all integrated within a compact, pedestrian-oriented site. Public space plays a defining role in the overall design. Landscaped plazas, sky gardens, and elevated terraces are arranged throughout the development, offering spaces for gathering, leisure, and movement. These outdoor areas are designed to frame long views of the surrounding landscape and provide accessible green space in a high-density context.
Environmental performance is a core consideration. The development incorporates strategies for daylighting, ventilation, stormwater management, and ecological planting, supporting long-term sustainability and user comfort. With superstructure work advancing, the project moves closer to completion. Once finished, it will contribute a new center for commerce and public life to one of Hong Kong’s fastest-growing districts.

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Lujiazui Capital Plaza

Admin — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:48:35 +0000

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