Barack Obama’s new $850m presidential library on Chicago’s south side has drawn fierce criticism for its imposing, near-windowless design, which some have compared to a ‘Klingon prison’ or a sci-fi headquarters. The 70-metre-high granite monolith, described as an ‘Obamalisk’, looms over a low-income neighbourhood, prompting accusations of being more a mausoleum than a beacon of hope.
The Obama Presidential Center, the largest and most expensive such complex ever built, was intended to symbolise the former president’s values of hope and justice. However, its sheer, windowless walls and angular form have been called ‘headache-inducing’ by critics, who argue it feels menacing and fortress-like rather than welcoming. Architect Billie Tsien admitted the design was challenging, noting that Obama’s hands-on approach and love of Brâncuși’s carved sculptures led to an unusually angular structure.
Tsien, whose firm won the design competition in 2016, said the former president wanted something ‘iconic’, a departure from her usual practice. ‘When you have a client who says that, you get kind of uncomfortable,’ she said, adding that Obama was a ‘very good critic’ but pushed for sharp, cut forms. The building features small chamfered openings that resemble drone ports, reinforcing its sci-fi aesthetic.
While previous presidential libraries reflect their creators’ personalities – from Lyndon Johnson’s brutalist hulk to Bill Clinton’s cantilevered bridge – Obama’s centre has sparked debate over whether it is a monument to his legacy or a tomb for his achievements. As the library prepares to open, its controversial design continues to divide opinion, with some seeing it as a bold statement and others as a headache-inducing monolith.
