Obama Presidential Library
Tod Williams Billie Tsien · Jackson Park · Chicago · 2026
South facade of the Obama Presidential Museum.
Construction is ongoing at the Obama Presidential Library in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago. Designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects + Partners, the 19-acre campus will include a museum; a branch of the Chicago public library; an auditorium; a fruit and vegetable garden; and a facility for athletics, programs, and events.
Southwest corner of the Obama Presidential Museum (left) and the forum building (right).
The form of the Obama Presidential Museum was inspired by the idea of four hands coming together, embodying the notion that many hands shape a place. Tapestry granite, mined in New Hampshire, will clad the structure and has started to be installed on the lower levels.
Close-up of the museum's Tapestry granite panel facade.
Close-up of the museum's Tapestry granite panel facade.
West facade of the Obama Presidential Museum.
Northwest corner of the Obama Presidential Museum.
North facade of the Obama Presidential Museum.
North facade of the Obama Presidential Museum.
Architect: Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects + Partners (Museum, Forum, and Library), Moody Nolan (Athletics and Events Center); Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti; MEP Engineer: Altieri Sebor Wieber; Facade Consultant: Heintges; Landscape Architect: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates; Program: Museum, Library, Auditorium, Winter Garden, Athletics and Events Center; Location: Jackson Park, Chicago, IL; Completion: First Half of 2026.
Construction Update: 181 Mercer Street
Southeast corner from Houston Street.
Facade installation is ongoing at NYU’s 23-story mixed use building 181 Mercer at the northern edge of SoHo. Designed by KieranTimberlake and Davis Brody Bond, the full block structure features faculty and student housing, 58 classrooms, performing arts spaces including a 350-seat theater, a student commons space on the second floor, and athletic facilities at the base. Installation of the pleated glass curtain wall with glare reducing frit patterns is nearly finished at the podium and panels are going up on the towers.
Northeast corner.
Looking up at the south facade from Houston Street.
Southwest corner from Houston Street.
Close-up of the south podium facade.
Southwest corner from Houston Street.
Southwest corner from Houston Street.
West facade of 181 Mercer (right) and Picasso’s Bust of Sylvette (left) from NYU’s Silver Towers.
Architects: KieranTimberlake and Davis Brody Bond; Client: New York University (NYU); Program: Faculty and Student Housing, Classrooms, Performing Arts, Athletic Facility, and Commons; Location: SoHo, New York, NY; Completion: 2021.
