Edición 89 | Visionarias del espacio
abril/mayo
22 junio 2026
Obama Presidential Center: memoria y paisaje cívico
El Obama Presidential Center propone una nueva lectura del museo presidencial: un campus abierto donde arquitectura, paisaje, memoria y comunidad se articulan como infraestructura cívica.
Un campus donde la memoria se vuelve espacio público
El Obama Presidential Center no se presenta como un objeto aislado ni como una arquitectura dedicada únicamente a preservar una biografía. Su mayor gesto está en desplazar la idea de monumento hacia la de campus vivo: un sistema de recorridos, plazas, jardines, edificios y programas donde la memoria se convierte en experiencia pública.
Ubicado en Jackson Park, en el South Side de Chicago, el proyecto ocupa 19.3 acres y fue concebido como una pieza urbana abierta. La propuesta reúne el Museum Building, el Forum, una sede de la Chicago Public Library, John Lewis Plaza y Home Court, un espacio deportivo y comunitario de 60,000 pies cuadrados. En lugar de organizarse como una serie de edificios autónomos, el conjunto trabaja como una continuidad entre arquitectura y paisaje.
Una arquitectura que se deja atravesar
Diseñado por Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects en colaboración con Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, el campus entiende el parque como materia activa. Los senderos, las cubiertas ajardinadas y los espacios de encuentro permiten que Jackson Park no funcione solo como contexto, sino como estructura del proyecto. Así, el centro suma 3.7 acres de área verde y más de tres millas de caminos, reforzando la noción de un espacio público expandido.
Seeing Through the Universe by Maya Lin in the Ann Dunham Water Terrace at The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, IL on June 13, 2026.
Njideka Akunyilil Crosby The Obamas: Springing Forth, 2026 Acrylic, colored pencils, charcoal, and transfers on paper Unframed: 108 x 120 inches Framed: 115 1/8 x 127 5/16 x 3 5/16 inches (HWD) © Njideka Akunyili Crosby Courtesy of the artist, Victoria Miro, and David Zwirner. Commissioned by The Obama Presidential Center. Photo by: Marten Elder
All Together by Jules Julien in The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL on March 1, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
Reading Circles/Weaving Dreams/Seeding Futures by Aliza Nisenbaum in the Chicago Public Library at The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, IL, on Thursday March 26, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
The Chicago Public Library at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Friday, May 8, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
The Chicago Public Library at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Friday, May 8, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
Visitors experience the 'Yes We Can' installation at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL on March 1, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
President Obama greets children playing on The Playground at The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, IL, on June 13, 2026.
The playground at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on May 20, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
The Sky Room at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
Sky of Hope by Idris Khan in the Sky Room vista at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Friday, May 8, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
The Obama Presidential Center (OPC) in Chicago, IL on Saturday May 9, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
The Sky Room at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on May 19, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
The Wetland Walk at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Thursday, May 21, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
The Women's Garden at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Thursday, May 14, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
Del relato presidencial a la acción colectiva
El museo propone un recorrido inmersivo por la historia de Barack y Michelle Obama, pero su guion no se agota en la figura presidencial. A través de archivos, piezas históricas, instalaciones interactivas y una réplica del Oval Office, la experiencia conduce al visitante de la memoria política hacia una pregunta contemporánea: cuál es su lugar dentro de la vida democrática.
Paisaje, arte y sostenibilidad
El arte público también forma parte de esta construcción cívica. El campus integra 28 obras comisionadas a 30 artistas, muchas de ellas accesibles sin boleto, lo que lleva la experiencia museística hacia la escala cotidiana del parque.
La sostenibilidad aparece como infraestructura y no como discurso añadido. El centro busca operar sin combustibles fósiles en su uso diario, integra un sistema geotérmico para calefacción y enfriamiento, estrategias de captación de agua, vegetación nativa y vidrio no reflejante para proteger aves migratorias.
Más que celebrar una presidencia, el Obama Presidential Center ensaya una pregunta urgente para la arquitectura pública: cómo diseñar espacios capaces de alojar memoria, comunidad y futuro sin perder su vocación cotidiana.
Design Films
Edición 89 | Visionarias del espacio
