Skidmore, Owings and Merrill: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) was formed in Chicago in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings; in 1939 they were joined by John Merrill. SOM is one of the largest architectural firms in the United States. Their primary expertise is in high-end commercial buildings, as it was SOM which lead the way to the widespread use of the modern "glass box" skyscraper. Their most famous architects were Gordon Bunshaft, Myron Goldsmith, Bruce Graham, and Walter Netsch.

Famous SOM buildings

• Bank of America Center, San Francisco, California
• John Hancock Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Lever House, New York
• Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois
• United States Embassy in Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada