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 is a famous American architect. He was born on August 19, 1944. He designed the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. 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 (SOM). In 2006, he started his own company, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, in Chicago. Some of his other amazing projects include the Central Park Tower in New York City and the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai.

Early Life and Education

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 loved to draw, and his mother suggested he study architecture.

He went to Texas A&M University first. He then worked for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) starting in 1967. He finished his studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1969. In 2013, he received an honorary degree from Texas A&M University.

Career in Architecture

Adrian Smith spent many years at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in Chicago. He started there in 1967. He became a Design Partner from 1980 to 2003.

In 2006, he started his own company, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG). This company focuses on designing buildings that are very energy-efficient. They also create buildings that are good for the environment. In 2008, he also helped start PositivEnergy Practice (PEP). This firm specializes in making buildings use less energy.

Amazing Building Designs

Adrian Smith made a big impact with the design of the Burj Khalifa. The building's shape looks like a Spider Lily flower. It has three "petals" that change shape as the building gets taller. This special design helps confuse the wind. It stops the wind from creating strong forces that could harm the building.

He also helped introduce a new type of building wall in the United States. This was a "passive double-wall structure" used in a building in Boston in 2006. It helps buildings save energy.

Awards and Recognition

Adrian Smith's projects have won over 125 awards. These include awards from the American Institute of Architects. His work has been shown in museums around the world. In 2011, he received the Lynn S. Beedle Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors people who have made a big difference in tall building design.

Selected Projects

Here are some of the important buildings Adrian Smith helped design. He worked on these as a partner at SOM or at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.

Completed Buildings

Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai

Buildings Under Construction

Important Unbuilt Projects

Books About Adrian Smith

• Smith, Adrian, The Architecture of Adrian Smith, SOM: Toward a Sustainable Future, Images Publishing Group Pty Ltd, ISBN: 1-86470-169-2
• Smith, Adrian, Pro Architect 24: Adrian D Smith, Archiworld Company Ltd, ISBN: 89-87223-24-8

See also

In Spanish: Adrian Smith (arquitecto) para niños