Case Study: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill achieves LEED Platinum and 10% steel reduction with Altair OptiStruct

SOM Achieves Sustainability Objectives Through Innovative Design

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) faced the challenge of designing the New United States Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles as an open, sustainable public building that met the GSA 2020 energy objective while suspending the building perimeter above a civic plaza and complying with setback and structural constraints. SOM collaborated with Altair, using Altair OptiStruct to explore advanced structural options and support a materials‑efficient design workflow.

Altair’s OptiStruct was implemented in a two‑phase optimization—topology optimization to generate organic optimal load paths followed by beam/section optimization to select the best steel profiles—enabling SOM to minimize weight and material use. Working with Altair, SOM reduced steel consumption by 10%, improved overall structural performance, lowered client and contractor costs, achieved LEED Platinum certification, met the GSA 2020 objective, and earned more than 35 awards for the project.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Alessandro Beghini

Associate Director