In August, SOM Project Manager Michael Jividen led a tour of the Inland Steel Building for the Chicago Chapter of the Young Architects Forum (YAF). Designed by SOM and completed in 1958, the 19-story office tower was a historic addition to Chicago. The first high-rise built in the city after the Great Depression, Inland Steel changed the way towers are constructed, and helped transform American office culture during the second half of the 20th century. In 1998, the building received landmark status from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, protecting its groundbreaking design and building elements in perpetuity.
In recent years, SOM has been coordinating with the building’s owners to modernize the 59-year-old building. As Project Manager, Jividen works closely with the team and stakeholders to ensure that all updates to the building meet Chicago landmark regulations while addressing the needs of contemporary workplace environments.
YAF is a program of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the AIA College of Fellows. The organization is an informal group of architects, design professionals, and students interested in professional development, collaborations, and contemporary design issues. YAF serves to address topics of particular importance to architects with 10 or fewer years of licensed experience while creating social and educational opportunities for its members.