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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
The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal announces long-awaited details of its Epic Universe, set to open in 2025
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Heartbreak for Swedish theme park, Liseberg, as fire breaks out
A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing.
Museum director apologises after comparing the city of Florence to a sex worker
Museum director Cecilie Hollberg has come under fire for comparing the city to a sex worker due to uncontrolled mass tourism.
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COMPANY PROFILES
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Taylor Made Designs (TMD) has been supplying the Attractions, Holiday Park, Zoos and Theme Park mark [more...]
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IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
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Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
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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
The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal announces long-awaited details of its Epic Universe, set to open in 2025
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Heartbreak for Swedish theme park, Liseberg, as fire breaks out
A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing.
Museum director apologises after comparing the city of Florence to a sex worker
Museum director Cecilie Hollberg has come under fire for comparing the city to a sex worker due to uncontrolled mass tourism.
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Populous have unveiled their plans for a state-of-the-art e-sports arena, designed to stand as a central landmark in Qiddaya City’s gaming and e-sports district, Saudi Arabia.
Raby Castle reveals ambitious plans to become a major visitor destination
Raby Castle, known as one of the finest medieval fortifications in England, is nearing the end of an ambitious two-year renovation project.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs

Taylor Made Designs (TMD) has been supplying the Attractions, Holiday Park, Zoos and Theme Park mark [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

08-08 May 2024

Hospitality Design Conference

Hotel Melià , Milano , Italy
10-12 May 2024

Asia Pool & Spa Expo

China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
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