SOMA’s work, mainly in New York City, Dubai, Qatar, Erbil, and Lebanon, covers projects across several industries.
The practice is currently exploring expansion of its activities into the Middle East, having several projects underway abroad,[4] such as the upcoming Shaza Kempinski in Doha, Qatar.
A mega project in Erbil, Kurdistan, named Aura, consists of a city centre, and rises high amidst the dry desert that surrounds it.
[5] Michel Abboud, the founding director and principal of SOMA, provides overall design direction for all of the firm’s projects.
He plays a major role in many aspects of the design and construction industry, including research projects, and professional committees.