Seven finalists named in Barack Obama Presidential Center design search
By Mike Chamernik, Associate Editor
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.