Cultural – SOM

SOM Celebrates the Opening of the David Geffen Galleries

Hailey.Spicer@som.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:33:40 +0000

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SOM and Atelier Peter Zumthor Complete David Geffen Galleries at LACMA

Ana.Cuadra@som.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:47:39 +0000

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Los Angeles County Museum of Art Featured in The Architect’s Newspaper

Hailey.Spicer@som.com — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:25:42 +0000

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Phu Quoc Convention Center, Arena, and Strategic Vision Plan

Admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:27:08 +0000

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Introducing Our 2025 Impact Report

Amy Dvorak — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:00:54 +0000

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Introducing the 2025 Impact Report

Amy Dvorak — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:54:54 +0000

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Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque

Admin — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:45:34 +0000

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Milano Cortina Olympic Village Welcomes Athletes as the 2026 Winter Games Begin

Julia.Pollak@som.com — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 19:30:57 +0000

With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics underway, we are excited to welcome athletes from around the world to our Olympic Village in Porta Romana—one of our 2026 Projects to Watch.
The Village encompasses public green spaces, the transformation of two historic structures, and six new residential buildings housing athletes during the Olympic Games. Following the Games, the Village will be permanently converted to affordable student housing—the largest such development in Italy—addressing Milan’s critical shortage of student beds. While the athlete’s home will be used as affordable housing, the Olympic Village Plaza will become a neighborhood square, with shops, bars, restaurants, and cafes planned at street level, along with outdoor space for community events.
The project represents a new model for sustainable Olympic development that continues to serve communities long after the Games conclude. Learn more about the Milano Cortina Olympic Village in Bloomberg below.

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SOM to Realize Design for Las Vegas Museum of Art with Kéré Architecture

Hailey.Spicer@som.com — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:52:09 +0000

SOM is realizing the new design for the Las Vegas Museum of Art (LVMA) as architect of record for Francis Kéré. The museum today unveiled details of its new 60,000-square-foot building—the city’s first freestanding art museum, serving millions of Las Vegas residents and visitors worldwide.
Conceptually, the building mirrors the organic form of the African baobab tree, signifying a place for community and growth. The design also draws inspiration from the area’s natural landscape—the Mojave Desert and the nearby Red Rock Mountains, featuring a mosaic facade made out of local stone. A distinctive, expansive canopy provides a sheltered entry space, while a signature grand staircase, visible through the entry level’s floor-to-ceiling windows, connects the ground-level canyon to the sanctuary-like galleries on the second floor. An outdoor sculpture plaza further extends the museum’s programming into the drought-tolerant landscape as an oasis of cool in the Las Vegas heat. The new Las Vegas Museum of Art will operate as an independent institution, partnering with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) to program exhibitions, educational opportunities, and other public offerings. Through this collaboration, LVMA will benefit from LACMA’s ability to lend artworks, share programs, and provide its curatorial expertise. SOM’s work as the collaborating architect and structural engineer on the new David Geffen Galleries reflects our ongoing partnership between the two institutions, shaping the region’s cultural landscape.

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Design Revealed for Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque in Dubai

Jonathan Schifman — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:38:26 +0000

Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has unveiled SOM’s design for the Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque, a landmark project that will form the spiritual and cultural heart of the new residential community off the coast of Dubai. Accommodating up to 1,000 worshippers, the mosque reflects a dialogue between Islamic tradition and modern architectural expression.
The building is positioned along the island’s central spine, reinforcing Nakheel’s vision to create community-centered destinations that inspire connection, well-being, and belonging. The design reinterprets classic Islamic forms through a contemporary lens. The structure’s cascading chainmail canopy extends gracefully from the roof over the courtyard, offering shade and visual continuity with the surrounding landscape.
The design embodies calmness and inclusivity, with clear pathways, landscaped walkways, and generous ablution spaces that encourage a reflective, welcoming experience. Natural light is softly diffused throughout, creating tranquil interiors that elevate the spiritual experience while offering comfort and serenity. “The Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque reflects our commitment to building communities that enrich lives and foster belonging,” said Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate. “Designed as an architectural icon and a place of worship and peace, it will serve the island’s residents and visitors while standing as a symbol of spiritual harmony and cultural dialogue. Working with SOM enables us to bring forward a design that is both contemporary and timeless, aligning with our broader vision for Dubai’s continued growth and prosperity.”
At 40 meters tall, the mosque’s minaret will serve as a prominent feature across Palm Jebel Ali, a symbolic beacon of faith and unity. Its refined geometric composition mirrors the harmony and order integral to both Islamic art and SOM’s design philosophy.
“SOM’s design for the Palm Jebel Ali Friday Mosque reinterprets Emirati vernacular architecture for a new generation,” said SOM Partner Chris Cooper. “Inspired by the island’s coastal landscape, the design celebrates the interplay of geometry, light, and material through a sweeping woven canopy that filters sunlight and draws the sea breeze into the heart of the mosque. The result is a serene yet striking sanctuary, deeply rooted in Emirati tradition while embracing the future—a spiritual anchor that unites faith, community, and the natural rhythms of the sea.”

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