flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Seven finalists named in Barack Obama Presidential Center design search

Cultural Facilities

Seven finalists named in Barack Obama Presidential Center design search

ShoP Architects, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, and Adjaye Associates are among the remaining firms that will propose designs for the $500 million archive, library, and museum.


By Mike Chamernik, Associate Editor | December 21, 2015
Seven finalists named in Barack Obama Presidential Center design search

A view of the Chicago skyline from Washington Park, one of the proposed sites of the Barack Obama Presidential Center. Photo: Connie Ma/Creative Commons

The Obama Foundation named seven finalists to design the Barack Obama Presidential Center, on the South Side of Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the firms are New York City-based firms Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, ShoP Architects, and Snohetta; London’s Adjaye Associates; Genoa, Italy’s Renzo Piano Building Workshop; and Chicago’s John Ronan Architects.

The accomplished group of finalists were chosen from a field of 140 architects from 25 countries. Each remaining firm will make proposals to the Obamas during the first quarter of 2016, and the Obamas will pick a winner by the middle of next year. 

The project, which will include a presidential archive, library, and museum, is expected to cost at least $500 million. The center will be located in either Jackson Park or Washington Park. 

Construction won’t begin until 2017, and the center will not be completed until 2020 or 2021.

Related Stories

| May 24, 2018

Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer

In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.

Cultural Facilities | Apr 16, 2018

Best in library design 2018: Six projects earn AIA/ALA library awards

Austin Central Library and the Tulsa City-County Central Library are among the top projects for 2018. 

Cultural Facilities | Jan 23, 2018

BIG reveals revised Smithsonian Campus master plan

The original proposal was first unveiled in 2014.

Mixed-Use | Dec 12, 2017

A new live/work neighborhood is about to get under way in Omaha, Neb.

Walkability and recreation will be key features of West Farm.

Cultural Facilities | Nov 2, 2017

Perkins Eastman wins competition to redesign San Francisco’s Harvey Milk Plaza

The Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza unanimously selected the Perkins Eastman entry as the winner.

Museums | Oct 3, 2017

Denmark’s new LEGO experience hub looks like it’s made out of giant LEGO blocks

The 12,000-sm building is part of Billund, Denmark’s goal to become the ‘Capital for Children.’

Museums | Aug 15, 2017

Underground Railroad Visitor Center tells story of oppression, then freedom

The museum is conceived as a series of abstracted forms made up of two main structures, one administrative and one exhibit.

Cultural Facilities | Jul 13, 2017

A WWII bunker becomes a museum along Denmark’s coast

BIG’s design of this cultural center is the “antithesis” of the fortress.

Museums | Jul 5, 2017

Addition by subtraction: Art Share L.A. renovation strips away its acquired superfluity

The redesign of the 28,000-sf building is prioritizing flexibility, openness, and connectivity.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category

Cultural Facilities

Multipurpose sports facility will be first completed building at Obama Presidential Center

When it opens in late 2025, the Home Court will be the first completed space on the Obama Presidential Center campus in Chicago. Located on the southwest corner of the 19.3-acre Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, the Home Court will be the largest gathering space on the campus. Renderings recently have been released of the 45,000-sf multipurpose sports facility and events space designed by Moody Nolan.




halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021