The partners of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) announced they are launching a new design studio as part of their West Coast practice. Leading the new studio are three former SOM architects: Michael Mann, FAIA; Paul Danna, AIA; and Jose Luis Palacios, AIA.
Mann's career began at SOM and he has worked on significant Los Angeles-based projects including SOM's Gas Company Tower. He has directed and managed major domestic and international projects throughout his 30-year career and he will serve as L.A. Practice Leader/Management for SOM's Los Angeles design studio.
Danna's connection to SOM began when he won the SOM Foundation Traveling Fellowship upon graduation from Harvard's GSD program. His two-decade career includes diverse, highly recognized and award-winning projects including numerous LEED Gold-certified buildings. He is a leader in the Los Angeles design community and has served as President of AIA|LA and he is on the Board of the Architectural Guild of the University of Southern California's School of Architecture.
Palacios' career began at SOM. His work entails a broad range of building types including the design of civic, government and public safety complexes. His work includes the recently completed LAPD Headquarters and he has designed stations for the California High Speed Rail project. Jose has most recently taught at the University of Southern California School of Architecture. He will work as L.A. Practice Leader/Design for SOM's Los Angeles studio.
SOM's presence in Southern California - until recently driven by the firm's San Francisco office - includes significant new commissions such as UCLA's new Medical Education Building which will become a new front door for the campus and the Medical School; a new mixed-use project at UC Santa Barbara and a new courthouse for the Superior Court of California in San Diego which will be the State's largest. These projects are directly in line with the firm's commitment to urban, environmental and social sustainability. BD+C
Related Stories
| Jan 8, 2012
WHR Architects promotes Joel Colwell, AIA, to principal
With over 30 years of experience, Colwell has managed large-scale, complex projects for major healthcare systems as well as challenging smaller renovations and additions — all with notable success.
| Jan 6, 2012
Doug Wignall named president of HDR Architecture
HDR Architecture, Inc. is known for its award-winning designs for urban environments, campuses and buildings in the healthcare, science and technology, civic, justice and higher education markets.
| Jan 6, 2012
Gensler unveils restoration and expansion of Houston's Julia Ideson building
The "new" building will serve as a repository of Houston memorabilia and rare archival material as well as the city's official reception space and a venue for exhibits, meetings and other special events.
| Jan 6, 2012
New Walgreen's represents an architectural departure
The structure's exterior is a major departure from the corporate image of a traditional Walgreens design.
| Jan 6, 2012
Summit Design+Build completes Park Place in Illinois
Summit was responsible for the complete gut and renovation of the former auto repair shop which required the partial demolition of the existing building, while maintaining the integrity of the original 100 year-old structure, and significant re-grading and landscaping of the site.
| Jan 4, 2012
Siemens acquires Pace Global Energy Services
Acquisition will enhance portfolio with new energy consulting and management services.
| Jan 4, 2012
Shawmut Design & Construction awarded dorm renovations at Brown University
Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2012, and will be completed by December 2012.
| Jan 4, 2012
Skanska acquires Industrial Contractors
Industrial Contractors Inc. is a contractor in the commercial, industrial and power markets of the Midwest. The company employs 2,400 people and in 2011 the revenues are estimated to be approximately $500 million.
| Jan 4, 2012
HDR to design North America’s first fully digital hospital
Humber River is the first hospital in North America to fully integrate and automate all of its processes; everything is done digitally.