After President Barack Obama’s two terms in the White House are over, there will have to be an Obama presidential library. It will be designed by one of seven firms still in contention, the Obama Foundation announced Monday.
The Barack Obama Presidential Center will be built on the South Side of Chicago. One architectural firm from Chicago made the shortlist and that was John Ronan Architects, reports The Chicago Tribune. Ronan designed the Gary Comer Youth Center in Greater Grand Crossing.
The other architects that made the list are David Adjaye of London; Renzo Piano of Italy; Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, ShoP Architects and Snohetta of New York.
The Obama Foundation announced plans for the Presidential Center in May and hope to make it more than just a library. They want the center to also include an interactive museum on the Obama Administration, greenspace for gardens, healthy dining, a performance space, educational programs and meetings for activists and leaders.
CBS Chicago reports that the library is expected to be open by 2020 and will be funded by private donations.