Studio Gang and OLIN's Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is conceived as a basecamp that is embedded in the North Dakota Badlands. The concept is one of three selections by the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation as a part of its design competition for a Library celebrating the life and legacy of one of the country's most remarkable presidents. The other two finalists include Snøhetta and Henning Larsen.

"Our design is inspired by T.R.’s dual love of learning and the outdoors," said Jeanne Gang, Founding Principal at Studio Gang. "As the first Presidential Library attached to a National Park, the project is poised to foster greater understanding, environmental stewardship, and healing in one of North America’s most incredible natural places. Intimately connected with the ecology of the North Dakota Badlands, Basecamp will at once draw people inward for intellectual exchange and direct them outward for physical exploration, allowing them to discover new connections with each other and the natural world."

The structure takes its inspiration from the rock formations of the Badlands, presenting itself as an emergent hardscape naturally formed by water and wind over time. Three horseshoe-shaped volumes organize the different functions of the Library, each housing distinct activities at the interior while emphasizing qualities of the outdoor environment by creating terraces and garden spaces that offer varying views of the landscape.

The voids between the volumes act as "cracks" in the Badlands' clay-rich soil allowing hints of light and ventilation to move through the interior of the building. Moreover, there is a symbiotic relationship employed between the landscape and the architecture to highlight the inherent connectivity of the regions planes and greenery. Passive and active green strategies have been employed to push the Library toward a net-zero, carbon-neutral achievement.

Studio Gang's proposal aims to create an environment that immerses visitors in the story of Theodore Roosevelt's story and inspire a renewed appreciation for passion and purpose in each person's life.