Presented as part of Illinois Humanities’ Community Conversations initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this three-part series explores how South Asian histories, innovation and storytelling are deeply woven into the American narrative.
Join us to learn more through an excerpt from filmmaker Laila Kazmi's forthcoming documentary, Reaching New Heights: Fazlur Rahman Khan and the Skyscraper, followed by a conversation moderated by filmmaker Laila Kazmi with John Zils, Khan's longtime colleague at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; Dr. Mir M. Ali, an internationally recognized expert in tall buildings and structural engineering; and William F. Baker, who received the Fazlur Khan Lifetime Achievement Medal from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat and is one of the world's leading structural engineers.
About Fazlur Rahman Khan
Fazlur Rahman Khan (1929–1982) was a Bangladeshi American structural engineer and architect widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern engineering. Often referred to as the “father of tubular design for high-rises,” Khan revolutionized skyscraper construction through innovative structural systems that made taller, lighter, and more efficient buildings possible. His pioneering work transformed urban architecture around the world and permanently shaped Chicago’s skyline through iconic structures such as the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower. Beyond engineering, Khan’s legacy continues to inspire conversations about immigrant innovation, global exchange, and the profound contributions of South Asian communities to American cultural and architectural history.
About Laila Kazmi
Laila Kazmi is a two-time Emmy® Award-winning producer, director, and writer whose work spans documentary film, public media, and global brand storytelling. A two-time fellow of the INPUT International Public Media Conference, she has served on selection panels for international film festivals and is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices through film. Inspired by Fazlur Rahman Khan’s impact on Chicago’s skyline, Kazmi is currently directing and producing Reaching New Heights, a feature-length documentary on Khan’s life and legacy.
About Mir M. Ali
Mir M. Ali, Ph.D., F.ASCE, F.CTBUH, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an internationally recognized authority on tall buildings and urban habitat. A former leader within the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), he has received numerous honors, including a Fulbright Award and the ASCE Millennium Challenge Prize. Dr. Ali has authored and edited several influential books on skyscrapers, sustainable cities, and structural engineering, and remains a leading voice in the field.
About John Zils
John Zils is a structural engineer, architect, and former Associate Partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), where he worked for more than four decades. His projects include the Willis Tower, Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and the Hajj Terminal in Jeddah. A Fellow of ASCE, AIA, and CTBUH, Zils has held numerous leadership roles in the engineering profession and has been recognized with multiple lifetime achievement and innovation awards.
About William F. Baker
William F. Baker is a world-renowned American structural engineer and Partner at the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). He is globally celebrated for pioneering the "buttressed core" structural system used in the Burj Khalifa—the world's tallest man-made structure.