By Rory Stott
Last week, it was reported that the Barack Obama Foundation was searching globally for an architect to design Obama’s Presidential Library and Museum (officially known as the Barack Obama Presidential Center). With the list of invited candidates for Obama’s Presidential Center still a closely-guarded secret, though, the Chicago Tribune’s architecture critic Blair Kamin has turned investigator, uncovering a list of 11 firms among the “fifty or more” which are believed to have been invited. Kamin states that the 11 firms he has confirmed to be in the running are “A) Of high caliber; B) Represent a broad geographic and aesthetic spectrum; and C) Include the established firms one would expect to be invited.”
Read on for the full list uncovered by Kamin.
The 11 firms named by Kamin are:
- Ennead Architects
- Robert A.M. Stern Architects
- Renzo Piano
- Ross Barney Architects
- Perkins+Will (Chicago)
- Tigerman McCurry Architects
- Diller Scofidio + Renfro
- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (San Francisco)
- Philip Freelon (Perkins+Will North Carolina)
- Helmut Jahn
- David Adjaye*
*Kamin’s article seems to contradict itself, referring to 11 architects but only naming 10 that are confirmed through his sources, and stating that a spokeswoman for the expected frontrunner David Adjaye “did not respond to an email.” Given the length of time Kamin spends on Adjaye’s potential appointment, it can perhaps be assumed that he has included Adjaye in his count of 11. In addition, Kamin states that both Jeanne Gang and Morphosis “declined to comment” following his request.
Read the full article here.
