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William Baker
Fazlur R. Khan Lifetime Achievement Award
SOM, Consulting Structural Engineering Partner | Chicago, United States
About
William Baker’s dedication to innovative structural engineering design and research is evident in the diversity of his projects. He developed the Bruj Khalifa’s “buttressed core” structural system for the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest human-made structure, as well as the Broadgate Exchange House, a 10-story office building with an iconic structure that spans a 78-meter-long rail yard in London. Baker has advanced a range of engineering collaborations with architects and artists from around the world at all scales, including James Turrell’s permanent Skypsace installation at Rice University and Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago.
CTBUH Designated Expert
CTBUH Roles
Fazlur R. Khan Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)
Student Competition Second-Round Jury (– Present)
Annual Conference, Presenter (Hong Kong 1990; Amsterdam 1995; Melbourne 2001; Stuttgart 2003; Seoul 2004; New York 2005; Chicago 2006; Dubai 2008; Shanghai 2012; London 2013; Middle East 2018; Chicago 2019)
Leadership and Scope Committee, Chair (1999 – 2000)
CTBUH Initiatives
Spring 2016 Dean's Lecture Series: William Baker
15 January 2016
5th International Congress on Construction History
03–07 June 2015
Videos
22 October 2018
The Future of Tall Building Technology
Since their earliest form, tall buildings have stood as technological marvels, reflecting the latest advancements in materials, methodologies, and tools. These two technologies continue to...
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Research
11 October 2019
On the 50th anniversary of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s founding, the CTBUH 10th World Congress returns to the Council’s home: Chicago....
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Research
20 October 2018
Polycentric Cities: The Future of Vertical Urbanism
CTBUH 2018 Conference Speakers
As we approach the new normality of cities housing 10 million or more inhabitants, those best positioned for the future are evolving along polycentric, multi-nodal...
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CTBUH Initiatives
13 July 2019
Sustainable Development of Construction Engineering Conference
Join CTBUH for a conference exploring major academic theories and engineering practice issues on super high-rise construction technology.
15 January 2016
Spring 2016 Dean's Lecture Series: William Baker
William Baker, Partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in Chicago, will lecture for the Myron Goldsmith Lecture as part of the College of Architecture Spring 2016 Dean's Lecture Series.
7 June 2015
5th International Congress on Construction History
The Construction History Society of America will be hosting the 5th International Congress on Construction History at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago.
16 July 2014
Innovators: The Engineering and Design of Tall Buildings
Join the visionaries behind some of the tallest buildings in the world for a roundtable discussion on their work. Special discount is available for CTBUH members.
28 February 2014
Trustees Meeting Reflects CTBUH’s Momentum
The CTBUH Board of Trustees met February 28, setting the course for a number of strategic Council initiatives, including the Strategic Five-Year Plan.
19 February 2014
CTBUH Helps CAF Answer "What Do You Mean by TALL?" with LEGOs
The CTBUH helped the CAF launch its “Drinks + Design” adult-education evening program for 2014, by supervising and judging the designs of about a dozen teams of LEGO skyscrapers
Videos
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22 October 2018
The Future of Tall Building Technology
Since their earliest form, tall buildings have stood as technological marvels, reflecting the latest advancements in materials, methodologies, and tools. These two technologies continue to...
06 November 2014
Thursday 6th November 2014. Chicago, IL. William Baker & George Efstathiou, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, are interviewed by Chris Bentley regarding the Best Tall Building...
06 November 2014
Thursday, 6th November 2014 Chicago, USA. Leslie Shepherd, Chief Architect, General Services Administration, James Cutler, Founding Partner, Cutler Anderson Architects, Michael Goldrick, Project Management Director,...
15 March 2013
What is the Single Biggest Challenge in Constructing a Mile-high Tower?
Industry leaders answering this question include: William Baker, SOM; Craig Gibbons, Arup; Andy Davids, Hyder Consulting; Mehdi Jalayerian, Environmental Systems Design, Inc.; and Ahmad Abdelrazaq,...
19 September 2012
Considering Place in an Integrated Approach to Tall
The rapid development of Chinese cities has provided unique opportunities to create architecture that either responds to its context or, in the case of emerging...
19 September 2012
Track 1: The China Context for Tall Q & A
The Track 1 panel consisting of: Junjie Zhang, East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI); Brian Lee & William Baker, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill...
18 September 2012
William Baker of SOM is interviewed by Jeff Herzer during the 2012 CTBUH Shanghai Congress at the Jin Mao, Shanghai. William discusses the Jin Mao...
10 October 2011
Hypertowers: Integrated Design Concepts for the 21st Century Skyscraper
William F. Baker speaks on hypertowers at the 2011 Seoul Conference and design concepts for the 21st century.
Research
11 October 2019
On the 50th anniversary of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s founding, the CTBUH 10th World Congress returns to the Council’s home: Chicago....
20 October 2018
Polycentric Cities: The Future of Vertical Urbanism
CTBUH 2018 Conference Speakers
As we approach the new normality of cities housing 10 million or more inhabitants, those best positioned for the future are evolving along polycentric, multi-nodal...
17 October 2016
Next-Generation Supertall Tower Form Determinants: A Study of the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre
Brian Lee, William Baker, Inho Rhee & Ronald Johnson, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
This paper puts forth the elements of an integrated design approach to mixed-use supertall towers that is based on rationally creative strategies that encourage efficiency,...
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01 June 2014
Case Study: Pearl River Tower, Guangzhou
Richard Tomlinson II, William Baker, Luke Leung, et al. Skidmore Owings & Merrill
SOM’s design for the 71-story Pearl River Tower in Guangzhou, China, was selected in a 2005 competition. The 309-meter-tall high-performance building was designed with energy...
11 June 2013
The Special Nature of the European Skyscraper
Viewpoints: The London Conference
European architecture is at a crossroads. Its commercial and environmental realities are driving buildings ever-higher, but not all are convinced. In this article – contributed...
23 September 2012
Case Study: Greenland's Suzhou Center, Wujiang
Ross Wimer, William Baker, Mark Nagis & Aaron Mazeika, SOM
At 358 meters, Greenland Group Suzhou Center marks the Wujiang waterfront with an aerodynamic form that has a unique presence, while accommodating its program with...
21 September 2012
Considering Place in an Integrated Approach to Tall Building Design
Brian Lee, William Baker & Luke Leung, SOM
The rapid development of modern Chinese cities has provided designers and developers with unique opportunities to create architecture that either responds to its existing context...
02 October 2011
Wider Impacts: Tall Buildings as a Viable Proposition
Leslie E. Robertson, LERA; William Baker, SOM; Eugene Kohn, KPF
Three leading designers in the tall building industry share their take on the changes to the tall building industry and the impact of 9/11 on...
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