University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering

Fazlur R. Khan

[title]
To Fazlur R. Khan for his innovative approach in the development of the original overall structural systems for steel and concrete high-rise buildings, for his research toward optimization of such systems to produce highly efficient and economical structures, for his contribution toward structurally expressive architecture, and for his leadership in the profession.

Partner and Head of the Structural-Civil Division, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago, Illinois

  • MS, Structural Engineering, 1952
  • MS, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 1955
  • PhD, Structural Engineering, 1955

Dr. Khan has developed five innovative structural concepts for tall buildings in reinforced concrete and in steel, all of which have been successfully used. His recently developed composite system for tall buildings utilizing the advantages of both concrete and steel construction is being used in a number of buildings now under construction. He designed the 1,450-foot Sears Tower in Chicago, which when completed will be the world's tallest building.

In 1955, Dr. Khan joined Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as a senior structural designer and became a participating associate in 1961. He was promoted to an associate partnership in 1966 and to full partnership in 1970.

He has delivered many papers and lectures and has served on national and international committees. He contributes his time as an honorary adjunct professor of architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Current as of 1972.