Michel Abboud

Having earned a Masters in Architecture from the University of Columbia, Michel founded in 2004 the award-winning architectural practice SOMA in New York. His designs have attracted critical acclaim for their boundary-pushing nature. The firm specializes in integrating digital technologies, parametric designs and environmental responsibility into their projects. SOMA operates globally and has expertise in developing residential, hospitality, commercial, and mixed-use projects. In 2010, his design for Park 51 in New York further catapulted him into prominence, with one journalist dubbing him “the most controversial architect the U.S. has known.” Such notoriety has led to a subsequent influx of invites as Speaker and Guest of Honor at prestigious universities across the United States and Europe. After winning numerous international awards, he became one of the youngest architects to have designed and built a skyscraper in New York, 45 Park Place as well as the groundbreaking One at Palm building in Dubai. In recent years he shifted to making art, designing parametric sculptures and being displayed in global art galleries and public installations.