SOM structural engineering Introduction : Past and future: reaching new heights Simplicity + clarity : Architecture and engineering at SOM: in the genetic code ; Informing design Scale + form : Scale and proportion ; Clarity of design: giving things a name ; Sensory fields self reflection and the future ; Structural design of tall buildings ; Tall building case study: Burj Khalifa Hierarchy : The importance of hierarchy ; Structure as poetry ; Exchange House in detail Efficiency + economy : Structural art ; Constraints spur creativity ; Optimising design goals ; The economy of construction ; Sustainability ; Integrating discipline and play Research + future : Quo vadis: megatalls as the focus of the SOM Research Gang ; Structural optimisation: developing new design tools ; Research timeline Projects + people : Catalogue of projects ; People With its 80 years of experience in bringing together architecture and engineering Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) remains groundbreaking to this day particularly in construction of gigantic skyscrapers the so called supertalls . The fourth volume of the DETAIL engineering series presents the approaches the roots and the theoretical background of the SOM Structural Group. One central question is how far architecture can go in terms of height. Typical structural concepts and individual details from numerous projects across the world serve to illustrate processes of solution finding. The results illustrate the firms core values: simplicity clarity hierarchy efficiency economy and advancement. A number of iconic SOM buildings such as the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower help to position the example projects ranging from James Turrells Skyspace to Burj Khalifa within the context of SOMs complete work. The innovative structural solutions presented here indicate how SOM enables the creation of next generation buildings . Back cover