At an estimated $1.5 billion, the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago may end up costing more than three times what the George W. Bush Museum cost, according to new reports. This is primarily due to the fact that the center will house not one institution but two—both a presidential library and a museum about the lives of the former president and his wife. Moreover, Obama avoided doing much fundraising while in office, making it all the more difficult to come up with the funds.
“It won’t be easy,” said Tod Williams of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, designers of the Center. “It’s not just about preserving the past. It’s about the future.”
36 Comments
First, what is "Page 6"? Is this some society page gossip rag?
Second, I think Obama could make more of statement by selecting an architect who doesn't balk at a $200 million budget. These libraries are just a ridiculous lesson in vanity for all parties involved.
How about instead of building a library they buy books for the thousands of schools that can't afford enough text books. Novel idea #1
Novel idea # 2. Create an online virtual/ kindle style Obama library that is free and easily accessible to all.
"In the United States, the presidential library system is a nationwide network of 13 libraries administered by the Office of Presidential Libraries, which is part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). These are repositories for preserving and making available the papers, records, collections and other historical materials of every President of the United States since Herbert Hoover"
That's why.
Yep, the 1st Black President should do just the opposite of the other Presidents. Screw TWBTA. I mean, really, we all know DS+R is just waiting to do the President Malia addition anyway.
Maybe DS+R can tear down the TWBTA library in 10 years or so, because Liz Diller cannot figure out how to line up the floor plates.
I like those novel ideas.
Unfortunately, presidents are monumental egos in search of the monuments.
I can't believe I'm hearing a bunch of architects saying that a physical building isn't important.
The abject unfounded hatred for Obama runs rampant on archinect too, dont you know Donna? It was pretty obvious to me after the elections....
Who says architecture requires a building? Isn't the act of consciously not building
an architectual act as the act of NOT operating is a medical one ? Doesn't the architect have an obligation to pursue the most effective path even if that path suggests something other than a building?
jla-x, I've frequently said that there are circumstances when a building might not be the best solution. In fact I'm working on a project right now that incorporates the idea that a lot of the services traditionally delivered in a physical, face-to-face setting will be delivered remotely in the near future.
jla-x, I've frequently said that there are circumstances when a building might not be the best solution. In fact I'm working on a project right now that incorporates the idea that a lot of the services traditionally delivered in a physical, face-to-face setting will be delivered remotely in the near future.
Aw hell this new commenting system has me all a mess. The second post was supposed to say that the impact a physical setting can still have on the communities you are expressing concern for is important.
It's not that it's Obama. I think all these presidential libraries are ridiculous. I just wonder if there isn't a way to honor the president's legacy without making an exhibition of excess and consumption. Modesty I think would make a much stronger statement. (I also think Tod's response to the project budget just rubbed me the wrong way.)
'These libraries are just a ridiculous lesson in vanity for all parties involved' Totally agree with this. And if a library is required by law, ok, but building a museum to yourself is not.
About the cost - the buildings themselves are budgeted at $200 million. Tod Williams says they will cost $300 million. And the endowment required to run the center is $1.5 billion. I'm guessing it's so large because of the outreach programs that were discussed early on in the project, on top of the legislated amount to guarantee the center doesn't go bankrupt. The headline seems a little misleading when geared toward architects - the buildings don't cost $1.5 billion, only $300 million. Still a lot, but not as bad as implied in the headline.
And really, who cares, $1.5 billion is chump change after burning through $10 trillion...
Wondering- would there have been complaints if he "unscrupulously" solicited donations while in office?
But I agree- TWBC does need to be savvy and work like so many other architects do. Find the fat and cut it. If it's material selection so be it. If it's program? So be it. Present the options and let the client pony up if they can.
"And really, who cares, $1.5 billion is chump change after burning through $10 trillion..."
What? You do know that Obama did not leave a deficit while in office right? No wars was a big one.
No wars? You must be living on Trappist 1f.
I like Obama. Just expect more from him because he promised more. Plus, he was the only president in my lifetime who wasn't a dick. And yeah...he's the first black president. Id like him to take that white money and help the black schools. It would be a more powerful legacy. He can write his bame on the books. A decentralized anti-monument of sorts.
* white house money
the archives can be stored more cheaply and digitized for access.
* white house money
"Id like him to take that white money and help the black schools."
-Interesting inclination given his presidency...
i wonder if any kid under 20 even knows what a library is anymore?
They do.
It's a place socialize and feigning reading a book while really looking at the social medias.
Marc, not sure what you mean?
Obama's record was cleatly not one of playing presidential Robin Hood, and was far from it. I'm not sure how you can expect him to play that role now, or how the public person he crafted could even support that.
I'm not even sure it's a fair/appropriate expectation
It's fair, when you're the first black president, and you are forced to follow through with what white people expect black people to do; forced black philanthropy, where governments fail to uphold their public responsibility, the idea of a Magic[al] "Negro" Johnson, is what is expected.
What about Trump Presidential Library?
https://goo.gl/images/CGMR4d
Personally, I'd like to think that my President, is taking your thoughtful suggestions, and air dropping them, over Mar-a Lago.
What happened to the concept of the Obama library as hub or think tank of the future? Now it's just a library and biography building... typical program for Prez Libraries (why the two building narrative?). If it's a hub rather than static, I could see 1.5 bill, but otherwise it seems a bit High.
I v. much doubt 1.5 figure is for the physical building, and probably encompasses trust for future programming for long time. It's irresponsible for esteemed pubs like the NYPOST to declare these are architecture costs, but fits the media narrative that architecture is expensive and not worth it.
I miss that guy sooo bad.
Seriously, if Obama did a drone strike on my grandma I'd still like him more than Trump.
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