barack obama has shared further details of the obama presidential center (OPC), the designated library for the 44th president of the united states. planned for chicago’s south side, the project’s design is being led by tod williams billie tsien architects and is set to complete in 2021. eight months after plans were first unveiled in may 2017, barack obama has now revealed new renderings of the scheme and is seeking continued public feedback.
all images and video courtesy of the obama foundation
the project is being overseen by the nonprofit obama foundation, who, in june 2016, selected tod williams billie tsien architects (TWBTA) to lead the design team alongside interactive design architects (IDEA). the proposed new campus seeks to reestablish the south side’s connection to the neighboring lagoon and lake michigan. during its construction and first ten years of operations, the center is estimated to create thousands of new jobs and infuse $3.1 billion USD into the local chicago economy.
the museum building, forum building, and library building will surround a public plaza
conceived as a ‘campus for active citizenship’, the obama presidential center intends to be an open, inclusive campus that integrates directly into chicago’s jackson park. as well as the museum (the site’s tallest structure), and the library, the site will also include the ‘forum’ — a public building that will allow for meetings, events, and local programming. the three buildings will frame a community-facing public plaza, with play areas, an indoor athletic facility, and walking paths. read more about the plans on the project’s official site, here.
the project will include play areas and an indoor athletic facility
‘when I was younger, there was a time I dreamed of being an architect,’ says barack obama. ‘so, as you might guess, I’ve been pretty hands-on in the plans for this center — and michelle has, too. we want it to be a place full of life and activity, where chicagoans and visitors alike can explore, exchange ideas, learn, and have some fun. we want to create an economic engine for chicago and the south side, and a cultural destination that showcases the south side to the rest of the world. we want it to be a gathering place — somewhere for all kinds of people to come together and learn, not just from history or current events, but from each other.’
the view from the museum building, the site’s tallest structure
a lush and diverse landscape will include new walking and bike paths
the project has been designed to provide for the community throughout the year
architecture in chicago (24 articles)
'the 78' will extend the chicago loop with a vast riverside neighborhood
proposed wooden skyscraper by perkins + will explores the potential of tall timber buildings
macbook-roofed apple store opens on chicago's riverfront
barkow leibinger turns high-tech machines into showpieces at the ‘smart factory’, chicago
johnston marklee's MCA chicago redesign features work by pedro y juana and chris ofili
new apple store in chicago is topped with a giant macbook roof
architecture in the US (546 articles)
40 tenth avenue by studio gang tops out in new york's meatpacking district
steven holl's institute for contemporary art in virginia set to open
classic car club gets a new home on the west side of new york
barack obama presidential center (6 articles)
plans revealed for obama presidential center in chicago
david adjaye, renzo piano and DS+R among seven shortlisted for obama presidential center
the chicago prize selects proposals for obama's presidential library
architecture news
this outdoor altar in portugal brings sermons into the fresh air
#architecture
the design by paula santos stretches out over 600 square meters in total, and is supported by only one concrete slab in the rear.
the design by paula santos stretches out over 600 square meters in total, and is supported by only one concrete slab in the rear.
akihisa hirata tangles indoor and outdoor spaces for 'tree-ness house' in tokyo
#architecture
'the arrangement of functional volumes and voids, openings, and greenery integrates and entangles the building into a single organic whole,’ says the architect.
'the arrangement of functional volumes and voids, openings, and greenery integrates and entangles the building into a single organic whole,’ says the architect.
in taiwan, mecanoo completes the world's largest performing arts center under one roof
#architecture
set to open in october 2018, the 'national kaohsiung center for the arts,' (also known as 'weiwuying'), incorporates five performance spaces.
set to open in october 2018, the 'national kaohsiung center for the arts,' (also known as 'weiwuying'), incorporates five performance spaces.
zaha hadid's only private residence features a soaring tower elevated above the treetops
#architecture
the building is defined by its natural topography, with fluid geometries emerging from the landscape and remaining partially embedded within the hillside.
the building is defined by its natural topography, with fluid geometries emerging from the landscape and remaining partially embedded within the hillside.
This is not a popular project in Chicago + the University of Chicago does not want it built on that site. This a WASTE of Illinoisian money and tax dollars….a state this close to bankruptcy, does not pay it’s bills –
Where is the repository of knowledge? A library that is.
^^ As far as I understand there is no state tax money involved in funding the library. It will be almost entirely founded by the Obama foundation (private donations) and a small percentage will be from federal taxes as some money is allocated in the budget every year for all of the presidential libraries. So while it’s fair to consider this project a”waste” of money, Illinois is no more on the hook than the rest of the country.