Barack Obama's $850 million presidential library, towering over a low-income area of Chicago's South Side, has sparked fury among locals and critics alike. The 70-metre-high granite monolith, described by some as resembling a 'Klingon prison' or a 'flak tower', is the largest and most expensive presidential library ever built. Its mostly windowless design and angular form have drawn comparisons to a menacing sci-fi headquarters, with small chamfered openings that suggest portals for drones or lasers.
The Obama Presidential Center, designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, was conceived as a 'beacon of hope' with four hands coming together to protect a flame. However, its imposing presence over the low-rise neighbourhood has led to accusations of insensitivity and arrogance. The building's near-windowless heft has been likened to a defensive bunker, fortified against the current political climate, rather than an open and welcoming institution.
Obama was heavily involved in the design, reportedly drawing inspiration from the Romanian sculptor Brâncuși and insisting on angular, cut forms. Architect Billie Tsien admitted that having a client with such strong opinions was uncomfortable, but acknowledged that Obama was a 'very good critic'. The Obama Foundation wanted something 'iconic', a departure from the architects' usual approach. The result is a memorable but controversial structure that some see as a monument to Obama's legacy, while others view it as a mausoleum.
Previous presidential libraries have reflected the values of their creators, from Franklin D. Roosevelt's Dutch colonial style to Lyndon B. Johnson's brutalist hulk and Bill Clinton's cantilevered metallic box. The Obama Center, however, stands out for its sheer scale and audacity, as well as the timing of its opening amid the rollback of many of Obama's achievements. Whether it will be seen as a symbol of hope or a symbol of hubris remains to be seen.
