Can an Obama Presidential Center, situated atop what once were the glorious public spaces of Jackson Park and the Midway Plaisance, ever hope to properly do justice to the legacy of President Obama?  No.  The current concept is fatally flawed and contradictory at its very foundation; it threatens to forever cloud the Obama Presidential Center and the activities that occur there.  Avoidance of these outcomes is the generatrix of the Do No Harm principle underlying Twin Embraces.

Twin Embraces' overarching plan for an Obama Center aside Washington Park initiates this process: utilizing available land, endeavoring to do as little situational damage as possible, and striving to reach Net Zero with only onsite renewable energy sources.  Further, by integrating carefully into the existing community fabric and by placing the Presidential Center in a location of definite need, the concept aims to embrace all people.  It endeavors to uplift the South Side of Chicago following a collective approach, with equality on geographic and social bases.

What is the appropriate expression for an architecture that is uniquely representative of President Barack Obama?  Any monument to the man, naturally, should embody as best as possible the unifying and pioneering aspects of his presidency.  Similarly, the architecture should avoid any articulation or action – direct or implied – that is contrary to the many proud achievements of our 44th President’s two terms in office.

Architecturally, the design attempts to uphold and reinforce these ideals.  A material palette of simple, yet noble, materials is chosen to reflect the refined taste and understated championship of Obama as a figure in modern history.  Indiana limestone provides the primary selection, with obvious connections to other official and memorial United States buildings, but also with environmental practicality, relatively low embodied energy, and a recognizable local characteristic.  Bronze and advanced uses of glass provide further relatable touchstones, while certain high-performance materials, such as heavily insulating, translucent roof structures, inject subtle elements of meaningful surprise.  The overall modernity of the expression, thus, is not achieved by its materiality or superficial “skin,” but through form and architectural implementation.  Because all of these inputs are handled following a deliberate and logical approach, the complex strives for timelessness and eschews prevailing fashion.  It achieves its unique expression as a result of true responses, following the requirements of many valid inputs.

Internally, the complex also intends to reflect values of inclusion and conscientiousness that characterize the Obama legacy.  This can be witnessed through universal accessibility features that extend beyond ADA requirements; the unwavering use of single-user, gender-neutral washroom facilities; inspirational, carefully choreographed occupant experiences; sustainable features that are both a functional and demonstrative implementation of responsible design approaches; active strategies to promote mass transit and personal health; and a general level of care, extending to all visitors and regular inhabitants of the Center.