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NEWS
Tod Williams and Billie Tsien's designs for Obama Presidential Center are refined again
POSTED 29 Oct 2019 . BY Stu Robarts
A north-facing view of the public plaza and museum building, as viewed from the roof of the Chicago Public Library building Credit: The Obama Presidential Center

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.
– 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.
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
RELATED STORIES
  Tod Williams and Billie Tsien receive Praemium Imperiale Award


New York-based Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, who are currently designing the Barack Obama Presidential Center, have received the 2019 Praemium Imperiale Award for architecture.
  Obamas unveil design for presidential museum and library on Chicago's South Side


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.
  Obamas choose Chicago's Jackson Park as site for Presidential library and museum


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.
MORE NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
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COMPANY PROFILES
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Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
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FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

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NEWS
Tod Williams and Billie Tsien's designs for Obama Presidential Center are refined again
POSTED 29 Oct 2019 . BY Stu Robarts
A north-facing view of the public plaza and museum building, as viewed from the roof of the Chicago Public Library building Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
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.
– 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.
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
RELATED STORIES
Tod Williams and Billie Tsien receive Praemium Imperiale Award


New York-based Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, who are currently designing the Barack Obama Presidential Center, have received the 2019 Praemium Imperiale Award for architecture.
Obamas unveil design for presidential museum and library on Chicago's South Side


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.
Obamas choose Chicago's Jackson Park as site for Presidential library and museum


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.
MORE NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS