SOM Journal 5 is the fifth issue in a continuing series that highlights conceptual undercurrents being developed at SOM. The journals present a selection of SOM projects chosen by a jury consisting of experts in the fields of architecture, art, and engineering. This process of review is unique to SOM in that it documents the independent review of current projects by means of a singular assessment format.

This latest journal treads new territory with the inception of an editorial board that includes Francesco Dal Co, Kenneth Frampton, and Juhani Pallasmaa. It focuses not only on matters important to SOM, but to the globalized architectural world as it relates to corporate practice, environmental concerns, and digital design. The board was also responsible for the selection of jurors, further disengaging SOM from reviewing its own work.

The jurors selected to participate were Sean Godsell, Marc Mimram, Mary Miss, and Charles Waldheim. They gathered to discuss SOM's recent work in October 2007 at Alvar Aalto's historical Maison Louis Carre in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, France.

Featured Projects:
North Mosque Bahrain Bay: Manama, Bahrain * Bridging the Rift: Arava, Israel-Araba, Jordan * BioPods: Chapel Hill, North Carolina * Kinetic Curtainwall Prototype: New York * Balance Bridge: Bergen, Norway * The Mill Center for the Arts, Hendersonville, North Carolina * Kuwait Military Academy: Al Jahra, Kuwait * Elizabeth Academy High School, Elizabeth, New Jersey