One of the most prominent projects is the design of a new neighborhood in the Sri Lankan city of Colombo with numerous skyscrapers, a marina, canals and a park influenced by the country's tropical climate, a competition won by SOM in 2017. The Financial District and Marina Master Plan was developed for CHEC Port City Colombo, which intends to transform 269 hectares of reclaimed land next to Colombo's central business district. An innovative approach to sustainability and community building is complemented by various public spaces, outdoor fitness areas, libraries and an innovation hub. Crucially, all these amenities are interconnected and supported by Planet App, our community-oriented app for residents. Through this app, residents can control appliances, book common areas and communicate with each other, adding value to our common areas. Smart City Laguna features 620,000 square feet of manicured green space, wide avenues and bike lanes throughout the development. The Port City master plan, developed with the support of China Communication Construction Company, aims to create a new center of commerce, tourism and culture in Sri Lanka's largest city with access to the main port and the historic Galle Face Green recreation site.
The master plan, developed in collaboration with landscape architecture firm Grant Associates, envisions a "new skyline" that will be visible from multiple vantage points throughout the city. A sequence of public plazas, parks, a new harbor and canals bordered by pedestrian walkways are to create a diverse public realm that takes into account Sri Lanka's geography, ecology and tropical climate. The central plaza includes shaded promenades inspired by the hanging gardens that line the edges of the new harbor. "Thelocal approach to design is also evident in the canal edge promenade, where depressions of varying character reference the lagoons of Sri Lanka's rich and articulated coastline, " says the project team. A major cultural center located at the tip of the Marina District is intended to draw people from the adjacent central business district to the waterfront. According to the design team, the proposal "offers a wealth of urban opportunities and a strong structure with carefully designed public spaces." "It presents a dynamic new vision for Colombo Port City that promises to create a high quality urban environment for residents and visitors ," the team said. "The plan is designed to accommodate future growth and change within a sustainable development framework."
SOM, short for Skidmore Owings & Merrill, hails from Chicago but today has offices around the world. The firm ranked No. 119 on the inaugural Dezeen Hot List, which lists the most famous and popular names in architecture and design. The firm's recent projects include a 16-hectare neighborhood in Bangkok consisting of a cluster of skyscrapers interspersed with green space, and a Beaux-Arts-inspired plan to transform Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. Port City Colombo is scheduled for completion in 2041. Images provided by SOM and Meshroom. Material
The master plan, developed in collaboration with landscape architecture firm Grant Associates, envisions a "new skyline" that will be visible from multiple vantage points throughout the city. A sequence of public plazas, parks, a new harbor and canals bordered by pedestrian walkways are to create a diverse public realm that takes into account Sri Lanka's geography, ecology and tropical climate. The central plaza includes shaded promenades inspired by the hanging gardens that line the edges of the new harbor. "Thelocal approach to design is also evident in the canal edge promenade, where depressions of varying character reference the lagoons of Sri Lanka's rich and articulated coastline, " says the project team. A major cultural center located at the tip of the Marina District is intended to draw people from the adjacent central business district to the waterfront. According to the design team, the proposal "offers a wealth of urban opportunities and a strong structure with carefully designed public spaces." "It presents a dynamic new vision for Colombo Port City that promises to create a high quality urban environment for residents and visitors ," the team said. "The plan is designed to accommodate future growth and change within a sustainable development framework."
SOM, short for Skidmore Owings & Merrill, hails from Chicago but today has offices around the world. The firm ranked No. 119 on the inaugural Dezeen Hot List, which lists the most famous and popular names in architecture and design. The firm's recent projects include a 16-hectare neighborhood in Bangkok consisting of a cluster of skyscrapers interspersed with green space, and a Beaux-Arts-inspired plan to transform Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. Port City Colombo is scheduled for completion in 2041. Images provided by SOM and Meshroom. Material