SOM Chief Designer Adrian Smith's Portfolio

Author: Adrian Smith
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features: This book showcases the work of an architect who has opened a convenient window for cultural reading and clarified the process of a unique cultural expression. In this regard, readers should pay special attention to the Western Bank in Guatemala, as it portrays the local preferences for light, shadow, color, texture, and the role of architecture as a social and comfortable space. The United Overseas Bank captures its cultural symbols and forms, as well as the building's effective adaptation to the climate. 10 Ludgate in London reflects the context of the street environment, while the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai embodies the modern characteristics of a unique cultural sculpture and its cultural symbolism amidst significant technological transformation. Each of these projects is distinct, culturally non-mechanical, and an artistic form for the specific site, rather than a superficial imitation and replication. It is a thoughtful exploration—controlling the principles that constitute the environmental context.