With immediate space demands of 3 million square feet ( 279,000 m ² ) , and predictions for future growth necessitating more space , Sears commissioned architects Skidmore , Owings & Merrill ( SOM ) to produce a structure to be one of the largest office buildings in the world .
Sears hired architects Skidmore , Owings & Merrill ( SOM ) to produce a structure to be one of the largest office buildings in the world .