IBM Somers Office Complex
Encyclopedia
The IBM Somers Office Complex is a campus of five office buildings owned by IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...

 in Somers
Somers, New York
Somers is a town located in northeastern Westchester County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 20,434...

, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Situated on a 730 acres (3 km²) campus, I.M. Pei designed pyramid of glass structures house regional headquarters for the IBM corporation. Described as a "futuristic fortress", the 1200000 square feet (111,483.6 m²) complex is an example of modernist architecture
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...

.

Layout

Viewed from above, one can see the four main buildings and the central service building atop a hill. Each is in the shape of a triangle and is topped with a pyramid of glass. The buildings are located on a campus of 730 acres (3 km²) and in total contain 1200000 square feet (111,483.6 m²) of office space. The plant is still entirely owned by IBM and houses approximately 2,000 employees in divisions such as Global Services, Software, and the Systems and Technology Group.

History

The complex was originally conceived in 1983 following the successful approval of the PepsiCo
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...

 corporate campus nearby, following an invitation from the supervisor of Somers, Wayne Van Tassell to visit the town. Constructed between 1984 and 1989, the $55 million complex enabled the centralization of 3,000 employees located in other facilities in the surrounding area. Despite initial complaints of excessive water usage and light pollution, the complex has remained a major business location in the Somers area.

Somers Songsters

In 2003, Somers Songsters recorded the "IBM One Hundred Percent Club" song, to the tune of "I've Been Working On The Railroad", for the archives at the Somers complex as part of the IBM music reference room effort.

Awards

In 1990 the Somers complex was given IEEE Corporate Innovation Recognition for:
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