General Discussion

former9thward

(32,191 posts)

124. It is not a library,. You do realize that...right?

Fri Apr 19, 2024, 08:41 AM

Apr 19

His materials will not be stored there. The archives in D.C. has them. Because of technology, the internet, the archives now keeps presidential materials, not the former presidents. That is why it is called a Presidential Center not a Library. So much for your no windows "argument".

Also, the picture you showed was the original conception which was marble. Because of Chicago weather they have dumped the marble and switched to granite. Which cannot be made attractive.

But carry on....

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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