The Obama Presidential Center’s commitment to environmental sustainability
The Obama Foundation continues to build on President Obama and Mrs. Obama’s commitment to environmental sustainability through the creation of the Obama Presidential Center. The Center, a vibrant 19.3-acre campus nestled within Chicago’s historic Jackson Park, will be a model of sustainable development that pushes the boundaries of what is possible through a combination of innovation and ingenuity. The campus landscape will brim with new life, creating a breeding ground for civic participation, protecting our global future.
Design
The Obama Presidential Center will source 100 percent of its electricity needs from renewable energy. All buildings and facilities will be LEED v4 Platinum (Opens in a new tab), SITES Silver (Opens in a new tab), Zero Energy, and International WELL Health-Safety certified, ensuring that the campus maintains an efficient, sustainable landscape. No fossil fuels will be used in day-to-day operations and solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Garden Pavilion and the Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center.
Onsite Conservation Efforts
Indoor areas at the Presidential Center will provide a healthy environment for employees and visitors. This includes entryway systems and high-efficiency filters that capture airborne contaminants and provisions for thermal comfort, individual lighting control, and noise reduction.
Green cleaning and integrated pest management practices will be implemented throughout the campus, and low-emitting construction products will be used throughout the facilities’ maintenance services.
Water Usage
The campus will have a comprehensive water conservation system that relies on recycled water resources. By capturing and reusing a significant amount – 98 percent– of rain that falls onsite, we will save over 1 million gallons of potable water use each year. This will result in an 89 percent reduction in building water use and a 75 percent reduction in overall irrigation demand.
Learning
While exploring the Obama Presidential Center, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the Obama Administration’s work to combat climate change, from the Paris Agreement to protecting more acres of public land and water than any other administration in history.
Guests can also draw inspiration from stories about changemakers leading in environmental justice, conservation, and climate change. These initiatives will be presented throughout the campus in immersive media exhibits, artwork, and year-round programming.
Green Spaces
The Presidential Center’s landscape will promote wellness, while respecting native ecosystems. Within our sustainable design, 30 percent of the campus site will be restored with native or adopted vegetation, and the use of pesticides and fertilizers will be minimized in all maintenance efforts.
The Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit & Vegetable Garden
The Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit & Vegetable Garden is a vibrant space that builds on Mrs. Obama’s commitment to healthier lifestyles for families. With its open and accessible design, the Garden will be a space where visitors can learn about composting, gain insight into local food production, discover responsible consumption practices, and connect to the food they eat every day. The Garden will be a sunlit location atop the Obama Presidential Center’s Chicago Public Library branch.
The Playground
Situated next to Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center, the Playground will be an imaginative space that encourages joy and creativity for children of all ages. The design of the playground celebrates the natural environment of Jackson Park, with lagoon and woodland-themed features to stir imaginations and encourage exploration. It will offer four seasons of play with additional seating and shade for adults. The playground will also feature inclusive design elements such as an ADA-accessible swing, a slide with a transfer platform for wheelchair users, and sensory nooks.
The Great Lawn
The Great Lawn is a signature element of the Obama Presidential Center’s outdoor landscape that strengthens our community through joyful exchange and leisure. The large outdoor area will be available to visitors year-round as a place for sledding in the winter, picnics in the summers, and programming hosted by the Obama Presidential Center for the broader Chicago community.
The Ann Dunham Water Terrace
The introspective and intimate Ann Dunham Water Terrace will honor the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother. The Water Terrace will include a stone sculptural water feature created by world-renowned artist and architect Maya Lin, best known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Wetland Walk
In an effort to support water conservation, the Obama Presidential Center will feature a Wetland Walk, which will capture stormwater that will be treated and reused to irrigate the landscape. The Wetland Walk will contain walking paths that thread through the area, a tree canopy, and a place for children to play. Seating will be built out of large stone blocks that can be used for classes, small gatherings, or simply as a spot to stop and enjoy the park.
The Women’s Garden
The campus will also include a revitalized renovation of Jackson Park’s historic Women’s Garden. The Garden — originally designed by May McAdams in 1937 in tribute to the Suffrage Movement — will be revamped, providing greater accessibility for people with different abilities. The redesign will also convert roads surrounding the Garden back to parkland for community use.