Scott Duncan Discusses the Future of Skyscrapers with Sotheby’s Reside Magazine

In a recent article in Sotheby's Reside Magazine, SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan shares insights into the evolution of tall buildings.

From the iconic first skyscraper in Chicago, the Home Insurance Building of 1885, which initially served as office space, tall buildings have evolved into dynamic centers of various activities. Writer Harriet Thorpe highlights SOM's pioneering work, including 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) in Chicago, a groundbreaking mixed-use skyscraper built in 1968, and the Burj Khalifa, the world's largest mixed-use building. These examples illustrate the transformation of skyscrapers into multifaceted hubs. "The skyscraper had its origins in efficiency and density," said Duncan in the article. "Its future, however, will be rooted in enhancing the quality of the human experience. We will see architects exploring ways to make living in a skyscraper an even more extraordinary and sublime experience." Read on for the full story below.