Architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien have won the long-running competition to design the Obama Presidential Library in Chicago.
Announced by the Barack Obama Foundation today, the New York-based firm will partner with local practice Interactive Design Architects (IDEA) on the project to create a cultural venue in commemoration of the 44th US president's term of office.
"TWBTA stood out in their commitment to explore the best ways of creating an innovative centre for action that inspires communities and individuals to take on our biggest challenges," said the foundation.
The building, due to complete in 2021, will be located in Chicago's South Side. It will include a library containing Obama's presidential archives and a museum dedicated to his presidency. The project will be funded by private donations.
"This has been a transformative presidency and we will work to make a centre that embodies and expands the Obamas' vision," said Williams and Tsien. "We look forward to collaborating with our partners, Interactive Design Architects, and to working with the South Side community."
The husband-and-wife duo are best known for their 2001 American Folk Art Museum in New York, which was controversially demolished 13 years after it was built to make way for the expansion of MoMA.
"We have chosen to work on only a few projects at a time, to allow for intense personal involvement in all aspects of the design and construction of a building," said Williams and Tsien. "This work should reflect optimism and love. The spiritual aspect of the work will emerge if the work is done well."
The team was selected from a seven-strong shortlist that included David Adjaye, Renzo Piano and Snøhetta.
Rumours in 2015 tipped British architect Adjaye for the project, after Chicago was chosen over New York and Honolulu as the site of the library.
Previous presidential libraries include Robert A M Stern's George W Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, and the Clinton Library in Little Rock by Polshek Partnership – now known as Ennead.
The post Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects chosen for Obama Presidential Library appeared first on Dezeen.
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