Nathaniel Alexander Owings (February 5, 1903 - June 13, 1984) was an American architect, a founding partner of Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM), which became one of the largest architectural firms in the United States and the world. Owings viewed skyscrapers as his firm's specialty. His reputation rested on his ability to be what he called "the catalyst," the person in his firm who ironed out differences among clients, contractors and planning c...
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Nathaniel Alexander Owings (February 5, 1903 - June 13, 1984) was an American architect, a founding partner of Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM), which became one of the largest architectural firms in the United States and the world. Owings viewed skyscrapers as his firm's specialty. His reputation rested on his ability to be what he called "the catalyst," the person in his firm who ironed out differences among clients, contractors and planning commissions.
Owings was born in 1903 in Indianapolis, Indiana. His sister, Eloise, would become the wife of his business partner, Louis Skidmore.
In 1920, he traveled through Europe. The experience inspired him to begin to study architecture at the University of Illinois, but had to quit the school prematurely because of illness. He continued his education at Cornell University, earning a degree in 1927.
Owings first marriage to the former Emily Otis ended in divorce. He was survived by his second wife was Margaret Wentworth Owings.
Owings...
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