Recent updates to the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago have sparked renewed criticism from some residents and observers after the Obama Foundation released new renderings and design details for the project. The updated images reveal how the center’s museum tower and surrounding landscape are expected to appear when construction is completed.
Much of the criticism has focused on a newly added inscription on the tower’s exterior. The text features an excerpt from former President Barack Obama’s 2015 speech in Selma, Alabama, delivered during the 50th anniversary of the historic civil rights marches. However, critics say the way the words are arranged around the building makes them difficult to read. Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bay said the lettering gives off “lorem ipsum vibes,” referring to the placeholder text commonly used in design mockups. Others also pointed out issues with the typography and layout. Former investment banker and author John LeFevre commented that some letters appear cut off or indistinguishable, while Temple University professor Jacob Shell noted that certain letters, including E’s and F’s, are hard to tell apart and that some words appear broken across different surfaces of the building.
The unusual design has also fueled online jokes and memes, with edited images showing fake inscriptions on the structure. Critics have previously compared the tower’s stark appearance to a “concrete tomb” or even the “Death Star.” Despite the criticism, the Obama Foundation says the design has symbolic meaning. Officials explained that the tower’s shape is meant to resemble four hands coming together, representing unity and collective action. The limited number of windows was also intentional, as reduced sunlight helps protect the artwork and historical artifacts that will be displayed inside. The center, which has faced debate over land use and costs during its development, is scheduled to open in June.
