Former US president Barack Obama has provided an update on his Presidential Center, promising to “create a campus for active citizenship in the heart of Chicago’s South Side”. The design, which was unveiled in May last year, has been created by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects in partnership with Interactive Design Architects (IDEA). According to Obama and his wife, Michelle, the US$350m (€293m, £259.5m) Presidential Center – which is now

Barack and Michelle Obama, the former president and first lady of the United States, have today (4 May) unveiled the design of the planned Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side. Designed by Todd Williams Billie Tsien Architects, the complex will be formed of a museum dedicated to Obama’s presidency, a library of his archives and a forum to advance the Obama Foundation’s public mission to promote global progress. Visitors

The architecture industry must address its diversity, gender, and equity issues by embracing fresh voices from all walks of life, former US first lady Michelle Obama has said. Speaking in conversation with the president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Thomas Vonier at the organisation’s annual conference, Obama urged those working in the profession to communicate what their work is about "So many kids don't even know what an

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced that former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama will deliver the keynote speech on the opening day of the 2017 AIA Conference on Architecture. Obama will address AIA members as part of the organisation’s annual Conference on Architecture, which will take place in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center from 27 to 29 April. Obama leads a host of

US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have reportedly chosen Chicago's historic Jackson Park as the site for their Obama Presidential Center. Media reports in the city claim the historic park has been chosen ahead of fellow South Side location Washington Park. Official confirmation is expected next week. Once the announcement is made, preparation work will begin ahead of the start of construction next year. Earlier this month,

Barack and Michelle Obama have chosen the architectural team of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects and Partners (TWBTA) and Interactive Design Architects (IDEA) to design the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The Obama Foundation – started by the Obamas in 2014 to “inspire the next generation of young leaders across the world" – issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to seven architectural firms in December. The shortlist, which was whittled

US President Barack Obama will promote the advancement of liveable cities next week with a White House budget proposal raising money for green transportation projects. According to reports, the mooted proposal would raise funding for environmental infrastructure initiatives by making US oil firms pay a tax of US$10 (€8.90, £6.85) on every barrel of oil they produce. Obama will reportedly make the case for $300bn (€286.1bn, £208.3bn) worth of investments

David Adjaye, Renzo Piano and Snøhetta are among the big names in contention to design the Barack Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side. The centre is the US President’s legacy project, and will feature a museum preserving and making available papers, records, collections and other historical materials from his presidency. Barack and Michelle Obama will make the final decision on the architect, after receiving the foundation’s recommendation. After receiving