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Obama Presidential Center Opens in Chicago with Tower by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects

architecture-design · 2026-06-04

On June 19, 2026, the Obama Presidential Center welcomed its first visitors in Jackson Park, located on Chicago's South Side. Crafted by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (TWBTA) alongside landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, this 20-acre site transforms the traditional concept of a presidential library by eliminating a singular entrance, inviting guests to explore its public art and lush surroundings. The facility features a branch of the Chicago Public Library, a 60,000-square-foot sports complex, and the Forum for performances. Dominating the campus is the Museum Tower, an eight-story structure standing 225 feet tall, adorned with New Hampshire granite and a brise-soleil displaying 103 words from Obama’s 2015 Selma address. This design echoes Chicago’s 'treasure box museum' style, reminiscent of the Art Institute, Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium. Inside, visitors can find a replica of the Oval Office and exhibits highlighting significant achievements and setbacks from the Obama administration. The Sky Room on the top floor offers panoramic views of the South Side, partially blocked by the exterior lettering, and showcases a unique painting by Idris Khan featuring stamped phrases from the Selma speech. This extensive project spanned over a decade, with Obama actively participating; architect Billie Tsien noted Obama’s admiration for sculptor Brâncuși and his mix of insightful and less effective suggestions.

Key facts

  • Opened June 19, 2026
  • Located in Jackson Park, Chicago's South Side
  • Designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
  • Landscape architecture by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates
  • Museum Tower is 225 feet tall with eight stories
  • Clad in New Hampshire granite
  • Features a brise-soleil with 5-foot-tall letters quoting Obama's 2015 Selma speech
  • Top floor Sky Room has a site-specific painting by Idris Khan

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Obama Presidential Center
  • Obama Foundation
  • Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
  • Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates
  • Chicago Public Library
  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Field Museum
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Chicago Tribune
  • My Modern Met
  • National Archives and Records Administration
  • University of Chicago
  • Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
  • South East Chicago Commission
  • Smithsonian
  • University of Texas
  • Tod Williams Bill Tsien Architects
  • Moody Nolan
  • Pentagram
  • National Medal of Arts
  • Dezeen
  • Bermello Ajamil
  • Texas A&M University
  • Southern Methodist University
  • HOK
  • RAMSA
  • Fox News
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • The Guardian
  • Bloomberg CityLab
  • The Architect's Newspaper
  • Metropolis
  • Kansas Press
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • Sunshine Gospel Ministries
  • Illinois Answers Project
  • Doughboy's CHGO Enterprises
  • Uber
  • Lyft
  • Airbnb

Locations

  • Chicago
  • United States
  • Illinois
  • Jackson Park
  • South Side
  • Hyde Park
  • New York
  • Austin
  • Texas
  • College Park
  • Maryland
  • Boston
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Lake Michigan
  • Hawaii
  • Selma
  • Alabama
  • Ohio
  • Pakistan
  • Paris
  • Chicago's South Side
  • Chicago's West Side
  • Midway Plaisance Park
  • New Hampshire
  • New York City
  • Miami
  • Little Rock
  • Washington D.C.
  • 61st Street
  • Woodlawn
  • Fayetteville
  • North Carolina
  • USA
  • South Side of Chicago

Sources

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