Chicago Architecture Practice Test 2025 – All-In-One Guide to Mastering Architectural Concepts!

Question: 1 / 400

Which architects are credited with the design of the Willis Tower?

Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan

Bruce Graham and Fazlur Khan

The Willis Tower, originally known as the Sears Tower, is credited to architects Bruce Graham and Fazlur Khan, who were both integral members of the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM). Their collaborative effort focused on the innovative use of structural engineering and modern design, which allowed the tower to become one of the tallest buildings in the world at its completion in 1973.

Bruce Graham served as the design partner, while Fazlur Khan was the structural engineer who developed the groundbreaking "bundled tube" system that helped to give the building its height and stability. This technique involved grouping multiple tubes together, which effectively reduced wind loads and increased the building's overall strength.

While Skidmore, Owings and Merrill is indeed a notable firm responsible for the tower's design, specifically attributing the design to Graham and Khan underscores their significant contributions to this iconic structure in terms of both architecture and engineering principles. Ultimately, their innovative approach not only defined the Willis Tower but also influenced the design of skyscrapers around the world.

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Skidmore, Owings and Merrill

Richard Meier and Robert A.M. Stern

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