Dubai, UAE – Global design leader Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has been named Sustainable Architecture Firm of the Year at the Sustainability Innovation Awards 2025, a recognition of the firm’s pioneering role in advancing environmentally responsible design across the Middle East.
The award was received by members of SOM’s Dubai studio during the awards ceremony at Al Habtoor Palace, Dubai, where 29 winners were honored for outstanding contributions toward a greener future.
SOM’s Sultan Haitham City in Muscat, Oman, was spotlighted as a flagship project. SOM’s recognition was Sultan Haitham City in Muscat, Oman, a 1,500-hectare development designed for 100,000 residents. As part of Oman Vision 2040, the project sets a new benchmark for sustainable urbanism with 20,000 homes, over 2.9 million square meters of public space, and smart urban mobility systems. Anchored by a reimagined 7.5-kilometer-long wadi transformed into a green park, the city integrates renewable energy, water reuse, and ecological resilience strategies to address the region’s climatic realities while creating inclusive, walkable neighborhoods.
To foster an inclusive and resilient urban future, the master plan integrates diverse housing options, pedestrian-friendly access to public spaces, and sustainable infrastructure. The jury also praised SOM’s new Dubai studio, which emphasizes a regional approach to sustainability by incorporating locally sourced materials such as date palm wood.
The Sustainability Innovation Awards, organized by BNC Publishing, serve as a benchmark for innovation and accountability in design, construction, and environmental practices.
Visuals credit by ATCHAIN courtesy of SOM.
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