SOMA (architects)

SOMA is a New York based firm of architects founded in 2004, with a portfolio and expertise in refurbishment and sustainability. In 2009, SOMA opened another office all the way in Beirut, Lebanon, where the principal and founder Michel Abboud, originates from. SOMA’s work, mainly in New York, Dubai, Qatar, Erbil, and Lebanon, covers projects across several industries as well. SOMA is known for extending the boundaries of architectural design by introducing the newest digital technologies and in doing so invariable succeeds.[1]

SOMA architects are renowned for designing the highly controversial Park51 Islamic Cultural Center in Manhattan, New York, infamously dubbed the Ground Zero Mosque, which they unveiled the long-awaited designs to in October 2010.[1] The firm was also awarded first place in the ‘Best Restaurant and Bar Design in the Americas’ category in the international 2013 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in 2013. ‘Workshop Kitchen + Bar’ is located in Palm Springs, California.[2]

The firm's portfolio contains several residential projects, such as the 50 Lispenard, luxury residential lofts in the TriBeCa neighborhood, and 93 Crosby lofts in the SoHo neighborhood[3] both located in New York. The practice is currently exploring expansion of its activities into the Middle East, having several projects underway abroad,[4] such as the upcoming Shaza Kempinski in Doha, Qatar. A mega project in Erbil, Kurdistan, named Aura, consists of a city centre, and rises high amidst the dry dessert that surrounds it.[5]

Founding Director

Michel Abboud, the founding director and principal of SOMA, provides overall design direction for all of the firm’s projects. He plays a major role in many aspects of the design and construction industry, including research projects, and professional committees.[6]

Selected projects

References

  1. 1 2 SOMA :: Architecture :: DESIGN SERVICES :: Archileb.com
  2. ↑ Workshop Kitchen + Bar by SOMA - Best Designed Restaurant in the Americas | News | Archinect
  3. ↑ Bustler: Workshop Kitchen + Bar by SOMA - Best Designed Restaurant in the Americas
  4. ↑ 93 Crosby Street Unit 5 Manhattan NY | Douglas Elliman
  5. ↑ Q&A: Michel Abboud, Designer of Park51 | ENR: Engineering News Record | McGraw-Hill Construction
  6. ↑ Newsmaker: Michel Abboud | News | Architectural Record

External links

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