A new set of renderings have been unveiled for the controversial Obama Presidential Center (OPC) designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (TWBTA) on Chicago's South Side.
The latest views present a more transparent and animated complex that has been tweaked to address ongoing aesthetic and siting concerns raised by the local community, landscape preservationists, and the design media.
Compared with previous iterations of the project, the latest designs feature taller, more slender proportions as well as a greater number of openings and more glass. A central, multi-story entry portal rising 88-feet now marks the main face of the center's 235-foot tower, for example, while a retooled corner entry garden is marked along the building's mass by a faceted carve. The white stone-wrapped tower is set to be surrounded by landscapes designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. These lush and multi-programmed areas will include a water filtration landscape, playgrounds, and various gardens.
Describing the updated design, The Chicago Tribune's architecture critic Blair Kamin writes, "Viewed from the south, the tower looks to be fittingly monumental but no longer mausoleumlike, dignified yet lively, abstract without being standoffish."
According to The Chicago Sun-Times, the OPC concept is currently being vetted to make sure that the proposal does not negatively impact the Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux-designed Jackson Park site that it will one day call home.
For Archinect's previous coverage of the OPC proposal, see the following links:
The proportions are definitely much better.
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I appreciate the fully clothed building. The budget will balance even better in light of Trump-enomics cutting all necessary funding in favor of frivolous military displays in the Middle East.
Mikey V.V.B thinks he's the second coming of Olmsted so if they're going to build on a historic park, they chose the right landscape architect to do it...and the park looks like a big improvement over the existing site, tbh.
I can't wait to see Trump's library design.
Mar-a-lago resort with presidential library in the gift shop?
The proportions are definitely much better.
Pre-Colonial African Architecture
I don't know, but this work appears to in keeping with Pre-Colonial African Architecture, at least from the monumentality and form.
Has Obama said anything about the teacher's strike?
He was in Chicago meeting with the mayor. It would really be a shame if he didn't make an effort to support the teachers.
think Obama's fine choice of architect, plan and program make this a rare exception of altering a historic park. its presence actually adds something rather than subtracts -- kind of like the Met in Central Park. Can't wait to see it built
How are the proportions of this building understandable when the design is so abstract? And a resemblance to pre-colonial African architecture? Either way, I hope it's a great building when built, even if I don't get it.
It's not really a library. It is some kind of indoctrination center for communtiy organizers.
"In a break with precedent, there will be no research library on site, and none of Mr. Obama’s official presidential records....And the entire complex, including the museum chronicling Mr. Obama’s presidency, will be run by the foundation, a private nonprofit entity, rather than by the National Archives and Records Administration, the federal agency that administers the libraries and museums for all presidents going back to Herbert Hoover." New York Times
They trashed an Olmstead park for this?
Thanks for the interesting post!
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