The Obama Presidential Center is responding publicly after years of criticism over its controversial design and rising costs, with a senior Obama Foundation official now attempting to justify the project to skeptics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construction on the center began in 2021, but many Chicago residents have remained openly critical of the 225-foot-tall structure rising on the city\u2019s South Side. The gray, largely windowless tower will house President Barack Obama\u2019s presidential library and museum, departing sharply from the traditional design of most presidential libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obama Foundation Deputy Director Kim Patterson said the building\u2019s appearance \u2014 including its lack of windows \u2014 was intentional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cThere are not a lot of windows on the building, but that\u2019s intentional, because sunlight is just not a friend to the artwork and the artifacts that are going inside of the building,\u201d Patterson told CBS News during a tour of the site.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Patterson also defended the building\u2019s symbolism, which critics have widely questioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cThe shape of the building was actually meant to mimic four hands coming together to show the importance of our collective action,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n