General Discussion

rpannier

(24,339 posts)

2. Gotta agree at this point

Reply to former9thward (Original post)

Wed Apr 17, 2024, 09:41 PM

Apr 17

Hopefully they have something less stark planned

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

137 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I'm sorry but the new Obama Presidential Center is one ugly building. [View all] former9thward Apr 17 OP

It seems to be unfinished, maybe it will get better? I hope? Ocelot II Apr 17 #1

The finished building won't look much better: highplainsdem Apr 17 #8

Ugh. Clunky, neo-Brutalist monstrosity. Ocelot II Apr 17 #11

It certainly doesn't convey the openness, vision, and sense of hope that he's meant to us. highplainsdem Apr 17 #12

I hope that's not a flat roof on there. Captain Zero Apr 17 #31

"Your mother was a hamster TxGuitar Apr 18 #78

After perusing the plans, I'm happy to settle for what it does convey-- ariadne0614 Apr 18 #82

I agree! ShazzieB Apr 18 #89

This is horrible. "Brutalist" describes it well! Earth-shine Apr 17 #15

Not seeing the intention unless designed to withstand white wing or other attacks during next century. Silent Type Apr 17 #30

Unfortunately, that's the first thing (upon seeing the current construction) my mind went to: Protection. electric_blue68 Apr 18 #59

My first thought when I saw it, too. highplainsdem Apr 18 #106

The building looks like it could be part of my university campus Redleg Apr 18 #63

I don't know, I kind of like it Mossfern Apr 18 #87

Oh, I don't think it's that bad. harumph Apr 18 #75

very different bigtree Apr 18 #81

Looks a little Rebl2 Apr 18 #95

The finished building looks much better to me.. whathehell Apr 18 #103

Kind of Rebl2 Apr 18 #92

Gotta agree at this point rpannier Apr 17 #2

Yes, at this point-it looks hideous to me. riversedge Apr 18 #72

Yeah, that's...certainly...something ActRaiser Apr 17 #3

I seem to remember there was some... Think. Again. Apr 17 #4

There was a lot of neighborhood oppostion. former9thward Apr 17 #6

I'm guessing that limited space meant the design had to be vertical. yardwork Apr 18 #74

Some of that resistance... sheshe2 Apr 18 #41

Looks like something from the planet Vulcan. I like it. lindysalsagal Apr 18 #84

That's a stretch. maxsolomon Apr 18 #112

FFS dweller Apr 17 #5

Renderings at link chowder66 Apr 17 #7

Thank edhopper Apr 17 #13

I wanted to see the rendering before I put my two cents in. chowder66 Apr 18 #91

Also edhopper Apr 18 #99

Yes, they can be for sure. chowder66 Apr 18 #100

Thank You for the Real Story & Photos. Cha Apr 17 #28

I hope to go and see it in the future. chowder66 Apr 18 #93

Thanks. elleng Apr 17 #38

My pleasure! chowder66 Apr 18 #94

but it is 'brutalist'!!!!! Voltaire2 Apr 18 #86

It reminds me of an ancient monolith which is why I think it's cool. chowder66 Apr 18 #90

For some reason 'Mayan' occurred to me. Voltaire2 Apr 18 #108

Mayan, African, Egyptian chowder66 Apr 18 #116

Looks like a tribute to his tan suit. CrispyQ Apr 18 #102

Same obamanut2012 Apr 18 #104

🌈💕The plans are gorgeous, inside and out. I would very much like to visit this, when open... Hekate Apr 19 #119

Wait until its finished... brooklynite Apr 17 #9

I just looked at the architectural renderings. madaboutharry Apr 17 #10

Or a prison Rebl2 Apr 18 #97

I like it. LuvLoogie Apr 17 #14

I like the crane. Nice touch. It symbolizes that there are things next to us and above us. Earth-shine Apr 17 #16

I won't say it's ugly tavernier Apr 17 #17

From obama.org enid602 Apr 17 #18

Four hands coming together..... Bayard Apr 17 #19

Neither do I. highplainsdem Apr 17 #33

Maybe those four hands True Dough Apr 19 #129

Oh,hogwash. HUAJIAO Apr 18 #40

I bet the exhibits, interior, etc., will be exceptional. The exterior reminds me of something Silent Type Apr 18 #48

It's not finished, is it? Anybody bother to look up the architect's rendering online? Hekate Apr 17 #20

Yeah, right here: Polybius Apr 17 #22

Thanks. It's unusual, and the different shades of color in the stone will add to its presence... Hekate Apr 18 #42

When I enlarge it, looks like upper left has some kind of writing. Maybe that is for illustration Silent Type Apr 18 #49

When I zoomed into that upper left feature - looks like an outer "lattice" with glass windowed wall behind it... electric_blue68 Apr 18 #60

well, it's different. and who needs windows. BlueWaveNeverEnd Apr 17 #21

It looks cold. And it also seems small. Don't get a welcome feeling. jimfields33 Apr 17 #23

There's a very tall panel above what looks like the entryway. Looks like it extends several stories up. Hekate Apr 18 #44

I see. also, many of the floors might be used as a museum, so no windows needed. BlueWaveNeverEnd Apr 18 #57

That, too Hekate Apr 18 #61

... Celerity Apr 18 #52

wow...the lettering looks pretty fancy. BlueWaveNeverEnd Apr 18 #58

Ah, ty ...if it turns out like that ... well, not too bad, then... electric_blue68 Apr 18 #105

It will look better when surrounding trees get about 20 stories tall. LeftInTX Apr 17 #24

The finished design reminds me of a sprinkleeninow Apr 17 #25

I actually like it GenThePerservering Apr 17 #26

The link above dweller Apr 17 #29

I kind of like it flying rabbit Apr 17 #27

I do too. I think it is interesting and unusual. Irish_Dem Apr 18 #80

Kinda looks like an air traffic control tower. rsdsharp Apr 17 #32

I'm curious what it will feel like inside the building. jalan48 Apr 17 #34

Sorry, Sad. elleng Apr 17 #35

Yes, adjoining Hyde Park, just to the south. former9thward Apr 18 #66

DU being DU - architecture critics. NoMoreRepugs Apr 17 #36

There's a Bad Architecture FB group. It's a hoot! LeftInTX Apr 18 #47

Many DUers have never shown the respect for Obama that he deserves. BannonsLiver Apr 18 #101

It is not a person it is a building. Voltaire2 Apr 19 #133

Looks like a superstructure on the flight deck Emile Apr 17 #37

Well a lot of people didn't like Frank Lloyd Wright's designs. sheshe2 Apr 17 #39

Good point, she Hekate Apr 18 #46

The look of it also reminds me of the pyramids. sheshe2 Apr 18 #54

Different strokes.... ornotna Apr 18 #43

It looks like Burj Al Arab with the top half cut off and no window LeftInTX Apr 18 #45

I think it looks like a monolith from a Star Trek episode. Polly Hennessey Apr 18 #50

Star Trek was my first thought Red Mountain Apr 18 #76

Looked at the rendering on the link. yorkster Apr 18 #51

Imposing cilla4progress Apr 18 #53

It's Hideous (JMHO) DET Apr 18 #55

You'll get over it. Hassin Bin Sober Apr 18 #56

You selling jet-packs? I might be interested if the price is right. Hermit-The-Prog Apr 19 #122

You're really basing an opinion on an in-progress NanaCat Apr 18 #62

Its not a library. former9thward Apr 19 #125

It occurred to me later that it sort of reminds me of an obelisk. A relatively short one... electric_blue68 Apr 18 #64

It instantly reminded me of both an obelisk and monolith. chowder66 Apr 18 #98

It looks like somebody's building a grain elevator . . . hatrack Apr 18 #65

other views of finished bulding edhopper Apr 18 #67

I don't know where those trees are. former9thward Apr 18 #68

These are renderings edhopper Apr 18 #71

I understand. former9thward Apr 18 #77

No improvement IMHO riversedge Apr 18 #73

It's interesting to read the range of responses to the design. yardwork Apr 18 #69

That's one word for it. Chowder posted the link to the plans &artists' renderings, & I was very moved Hekate Apr 19 #121

I only hope the final exterior color is not "tan" JustABozoOnThisBus Apr 18 #70

Most half-finished buildings are. Tommy Carcetti Apr 18 #79

Maybe they will tear it all down. Litigation is sadly necessary on Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park IA8IT Apr 18 #83

Your judgment may be premature PJMcK Apr 18 #85

I actually think the finished building is eloquent. Different yes, ugly absolutely not. Fla Dem Apr 18 #88

I guees you'll just have to deal with that Mysterian Apr 18 #96

Tod Williams and Billie Tsien are the Architects. maxsolomon Apr 18 #107

We're Supposed To RobinA Apr 18 #109

De gustibus non disputadem. maxsolomon Apr 18 #111

Then you haven't even looked at the proposed NanaCat Apr 18 #114

Yeah, I've Looked RobinA Apr 18 #117

There are windows behind the Lettered Screen, maxsolomon Apr 18 #118

It is not a library,. You do realize that...right? former9thward Apr 19 #124

Sore thumb Crataegus Apr 18 #110

"Proposal"? maxsolomon Apr 18 #113

You are showing the 2019 proposal with white marble. former9thward Apr 19 #128

Lots of renderings out there. maxsolomon Apr 19 #134

If you haven't seen them, it's for lack of trying NanaCat Apr 18 #115

Maybe you should move? nt PufPuf23 Apr 19 #120

Have you ever criticized anything? former9thward Apr 19 #127

They should have used a different color for the crane. DFW Apr 19 #123

I will wait a few years to see it in person. I live in Chicago. mucifer Apr 19 #126

I think the architectural team may have been influenced by True Dough Apr 19 #130

John Kerry's head? BeyondGeography Apr 19 #132

One is older than the other True Dough Apr 19 #135

That's only the museum! The entire campus is gorgeous and impressive. More photos at this link: CousinIT Apr 19 #131

Image: CoopersDad Apr 19 #136

Except that is an early drawing. former9thward Apr 19 #137