Located on a 19 acre-campus in Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side, the Obama Presidential Center includes a museum, forum building, library, and program, athletic, and activity center connected by a plaza and public green space. Inspired by the formation of four hands coming together in unison, each side of the Museum features a unique articulation of form and texture of materials through bas relief and screening elements. 

The facade features large format and highly figured Tapestry granite stone panels at the tower accented with its sister stone, Kitledge granite, at the inset faceted windows, as well as the library and forum buildings. The south east corner of the building includes vertical bas relief detailing at the stone panels that creates texture and depth to the facade over the course of the day. The top of the tower features a UHPC screen wall that represents a portion of President Obama's speech on the 50th anniversary of the Selma Montgomery Marches, where visitors will be able to view the South and West sides of Chicago through the words. 

Each glazed facade opening is unique. The north elevation features hand painted art glass designed by Ethiopian-American artist, Julie Mehretu, in front of the escalators that serve as the primary circulation through the exhibit space. The large faceted windows frame views of the city and surrounding park. The curtain wall systems are typically set within corners of the building and feature large horizontal glazing at the ground floor, with vertically oriented staggered glazing and mullions above.

Heintges provided building envelope consulting services during design and construction phases.

For more information, please visit The Obama Foundation's website.