Tod Williams and Billie Tsien's designs for Obama Presidential Center are refined again
by Stu Robarts | 29 Oct 2019
– David Simas
Updated designs of the Barack Obama Presidential Center have been released showing a more sculptural building, introducing a large glazed element and adding a textured finish.
The centre will comprise 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. A Sky Room at the top of the building will provide views of the surrounding area.
Spread across a 19.3ac (7.8ha) site in Chicago's Jackson Park, the centre has been designed by Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, who recently won the Praemium Imperiale Award.
Initial designs were released in 2017, with subsequent updates made public in January 2018.
Work began later last year, but ongoing feedback from the local community and other stakeholders prompted a third iteration of the designs.
These most recent changes show the building with a more refined and reduced form, as well as the addition of an 88ft (27m) glazed section at the mezzanine level that will make the building more open.
A mixture of faceted stone and textured stone at the building's corners will provide a simpler finish that the previously planned carved text.
In addition, details of a children's play area have been newly announced, with a design that includes lagoon and woodland themes celebrating the natural world and the environment of Jackson Park.
Elsewhere, gardens and a wetland area with a wetland walk will capture and treat stormwater, more trees will be planted than are on the site today and soil quality will be improved in certain areas.
David Simas, CEO of the Obama Foundation, said: "We've spent the past few years talking with the community and meeting with neighbours and stakeholders to incorporate their input on how the residents of the South Side and the city of Chicago want to experience the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. In response to the feedback we received, we're presenting updates that create even more ways for the community to enjoy what will become an important and memorable gathering place."
The Barack Obama Presidential Center is expected to open in 2020 at the earliest.
Tod Williams and Billie Tsien Chicago
The northern facade of the museum building, as viewed from Stony Island Avenue Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
A dynamic public plaza is at the heart of the Obama Presidential Center, welcoming visitors to the campus and the park Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
A landscaped courtyard brings natural light and greenery to the Center’s public spaces, including a café on the garden level of the museum building Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
A north-facing view from the promenade toward the museum building, the Museum of Science and Industry and the lagoon Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
A north-facing view of the Obama Presidential Center campus in Jackson Park Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
On snowy days, the Great Lawn becomes a sledding hill with a backdrop of the museum building to the north Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
At dusk, the Great Lawn becomes an open-air theatre, with a gentle sloping view to the south Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
A dynamic two-acre play area will be a memorable place for children of all ages Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
A one-acre wetland area will capture and treat stormwater and feature a Wetland Walk that threads through the area and offers a unique environment with seating and a tree canopy Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
The landscape of Jackson Park’s historic Women’s Garden will be restored with plantings, pathways, and seating Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
The new branch of the Chicago Public Library at the Obama Presidential Center Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
The campus site plan for the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
17 Sep 2019
Tod Williams and Billie Tsien receive Praemium Imperiale Award
04 May 2017
Obamas unveil design for presidential museum and library on Chicago's South Side
29 Jul 2016
Obamas choose Chicago's Jackson Park as site for Presidential library and museum
01 Jul 2016
Obamas choose New York architects to lead design of their presidential library and museum
21 Dec 2015
Seven top architects in the running to design Obama's legacy project
13 May 2015
Chicago wins right to host Obama presidential library
Updated designs of the Barack Obama Presidential Center have been released showing a more sculptural building, introducing a large glazed element and adding a textured finish. The centre will comprise 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. A Sky Room at the top of the building will provide views of the
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