Adrian Smith (architect) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adrian D. Smith
Born	(1944-08-19) August 19, 1944 (age 80) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Illinois, Chicago, Texas A&M University, College Station
Occupation	Architect
Practice	Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Buildings	Burj Khalifa Jin Mao Tower Pearl River Tower Trump International Hotel & Tower Central Park Tower
Projects	Jeddah Tower Azerbaijan Tower

Adrian Devaun Smith (born August 19, 1944) is a famous American architect. He is known for designing some of the world's tallest buildings. These include the Burj Khalifa, which is currently the tallest building on Earth. He also designed the Jeddah Tower, which is planned to be even taller.

Adrian Smith worked for a long time at a big architecture firm called Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. In 2006, he started his own company, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, in Chicago. Some of his other well-known projects include the Central Park Tower in New York City and the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago. He also designed the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai and the Zifeng Tower in Nanjing.

Early Life and Learning

Adrian Smith was born in Chicago in 1944. When he was four years old, his family moved to Southern California. He grew up there. He really enjoyed drawing, and his mother suggested he study architecture.

Smith went to Texas A&M University to study architecture. He was also part of the Corps of Cadets. However, he left before graduating to start working for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) in 1967. He later finished his studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1969. In 2013, Texas A&M University gave him an special honorary degree.

Building a Career

Adrian Smith spent many years working at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in Chicago. He started there in 1967. From 1980 to 2003, he was a main design partner. He continued as a consulting partner until 2006.

In 2006, he decided to start his own company. He founded Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG). This firm focuses on designing buildings that are very energy-efficient and good for the environment. They work on projects all over the world. In 2008, he also helped start PositivEnergy Practice (PEP). This company specializes in the engineering needed for these high-performance buildings.

Amazing Designs

Adrian Smith made a big impact on architecture with the design of the Burj Khalifa. The building's unique petal shape was his idea. This shape was inspired by the Spider Lily flower. The three-petal design changes as the building gets taller. This changing pattern helps to confuse the wind. It stops strong winds from causing the building to sway too much.

Smith also helped introduce a new type of building wall in the United States. In 2006, he used a large-scale "passive double-wall structure" at 601 Congress Street in Boston. This design helps buildings save energy by controlling temperature better.

Awards and Achievements

Buildings designed by Adrian Smith have won many awards. He has received over 125 awards for his projects. These include 5 international awards and 9 national awards from the American Institute of Architects. He also won 35 state and Chicago AIA Awards.

In 2011, he received the CTBUH Lynn S. Beedle Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes his long and important career in designing tall buildings. His work at SOM has been shown in museums around the world. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council.

Buildings He Designed

Here is a list of some of the important buildings Adrian Smith helped design. He worked on these as a partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill or as a design partner at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.

Completed Buildings

Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai

Buildings Under Construction

Future Ideas That Weren't Built

See also

In Spanish: Adrian Smith (arquitecto) para niños