24

[image alt text: continued article about the inner workings of SOM, with a picture of the reading room-lounge area of the library of Kirkland & Ellis Law Offices, Denver.]

[TEXT]

age group, a situation attribut-
able to the rapid increase of
available jobs in the field, and
to a growing attitude on the
part of young architects, partic-
ularly, that of interior design al-
lows contact at an earlier age
than in architecture, with both
clients and all aspects of design
development, according to De-
bra Lehman-Smith of the
Houston office. The project-
specific solutions, arising from
close designer-client collabora
tion, include custom designed
furniture on every project.
While in executive areas, this
assures greater quality control
and a unique client image, in
general offices areas the cus-
tomizing of workstations re-
solves difficult space planning
problems. While SOM has mar-
keted only a fraction of its fur-
niture designs that often serve
for one project only, it has
influenced major manufactur-
ers to alter products to their
specifications, thereby indi-
rectly influencing the evolu-
tion of industry standards.
The enduring qualities of
these pieces was recently high-
lighted when the Manufactur-
ers Hanover Corporation took
over the former Union Car-
[?]ide headquarters, designed by
SOM in 1960. Although the new
tenant asked SOM to redesign
the interior specifically for
their needs, much of the origi-
nal furniture was successfully
reused.
People at SOM tend to shy
away from the word "style",

Right: Reading room-lounge
area of library of Kirkland &
Ellis Law Offices, Dever.
Curve fo checkout desk is re-
peated in shape of worksta-
tion panels.