Peter MacKeith Named Executive Director of SOM Foundation
Peter MacKeith has been named the new executive director of the SOM Foundation, taking over from Iker Gil, who held the position since 2019. The foundation, founded in 1979 by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, has allocated over $3.6 million to support design education since 1981. Under Gil's tenure, it enhanced opportunities for BIPOC and high school students and established an archive in Chicago. MacKeith, who boasts 14 published titles and was honored with a knighthood in 2012, will also manage the U.S. Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale, showcasing his extensive expertise in architecture and education.
Key facts
- Peter MacKeith appointed executive director of SOM Foundation
- Succeeds Iker Gil, who led since 2019
- SOM Foundation established in 1979 by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
- Over $3.6 million distributed since 1981
- Gil expanded awards and created digital and physical archives
- MacKeith co-commissioned U.S. Pavilion at 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale
- Oversaw Anthony Timberlands Center, AN 2025 Project of the Year
- MacKeith has written/edited 14 books and is a Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland
Entities
Artists
- Peter MacKeith
- Iker Gil
- Bruce Graham
Institutions
- SOM Foundation
- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
- Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design
- University of Arkansas
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Washington University's Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts
- University of Virginia
- Yale University
- Helsinki University of Technology
- Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation
- Places Journal
- Perspecta
- SOM Journal
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- Arkansas
- Venice
- Italy
- Finland