ACE January 2020

Architect Profile
Photo Courtesy: Robert Polidori for SOM
Peter Lefkovits, Laura Ettelman and
Jason Anderson
A Perfect Synthesis
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport
Responsible for creating some of the built environment marvels across the world, the
projects designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) represent a perfect synthesis
of planning, interiors, engineering and architecture. Vikas Bhadra catches up with Peter
Lefkovits, Laura Ettelman and Jason Anderson; the three experts behind some of the
successful projects SOM has executed in India and across the world.
Photo Courtesy : Lucas Blair Simpson for SOM
T2 Terminal,
Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj International
Airport
SOM – As a teen who was surrounded
by a good deal of friends pursuing
engineering, it boiled down to “Strength
of Materials”. Time went by and my affinity for
the written word made me realise the other
connotation of SOM, a connotation which
implies, among other things, the magnificent
universe of architecture and design.
Founded in 1936 in Chicago, Skidmore,
Owings & Merill LLP (SOM) is responsible for
the genesis of some of the most technically
and environmentally advanced buildings and
public spaces. From Beijing to Tel Aviv and New
York to London, the footprints of SOM has
etched it expertise on the Indian soil too. The
T2 terminals of the Chatrapati Shivaji Mumbai
International Airport and the Kempegowda
International Airport in Bengaluru are some
of the finest examples the firm has scripted in
India, and then there is more.
Behind this seamless concoction of planning,
interiors, engineering and architecture, is a
team at work. A team, whose symbiosis brings
to fruition the design ideas, from the drawing
board to life.
Peter Lefkovits, AIA - Director at Skidmore,
Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)
What is your idea of good architecture and
design? Is it static or dynamic?
Good design is born from an integrated
approach. At SOM, we merge our expertise in
architectural, structural, and environmental
design to produce buildings that are both
innovative and purposeful. The journey to
achieving balance between human comfort
and functionality, structure and program, and
nature and technology is one that is inherently
dynamic and results in a design process that
strives for conceptual clarity.
How was your experience working on T2
projects in Mumbai and Bangalore?
The opportunity to work on these two
important transportation infrastructure
projects in India has been hugely rewarding.
Both projects have pushed the boundaries
of what airport design can be and overcome
Continued to 24
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22 January 2020 ACE UPDATE
ARCHITECTURE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING