Construction update April 2025: Celebrate Sustainability Month with us

It’s Sustainability Month at The Obama Foundation and as we make impressive strides towards completing the Obama Presidential Center, we are doing so while working to build an environmentally friendly campus.
When the Presidential Center opens in 2026, our brand new campus will not only be a hub for innovation — it will set a new standard for sustainable and scalable growth. The Center will source 100 percent of its electricity needs from renewable energy, implement a comprehensive water conservation system, and promote healthy living through programs and initiatives with members of the Chicago community. Additionally, our campus 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.
Check out our latest construction update and get a look at some of our sustainability work in action below:
Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center
This month, the construction team continues to install exterior glass at Home Court, a 45,000-square foot multipurpose space nestled on the southwest corner of the campus. Glass work has been completed on the east and north faces of the building, and glass installation has commenced on the west face of the building, in what will eventually become seating areas and program rooms.
Home Court is designed in line with the Foundation’s sustainability goals and will be heated and cooled primarily through the use of geothermal energy. The slight tint and fritting on Home Court’s glass windows will also deter bird collisions and contribute to sun shading and UV protection for the people and built environment inside.
For prospective visitors interested in a scenic view: Building work is progressing on a terrace that will span the three upper level program rooms. An L-shaped green roof will run along the outer edge of the deck and bring new views of Bob Pickens track and field, in Jackson Park, from this overlook.
The Forum Building
Further north on the campus is the Forum Building, future home of community activity and engagement. Granite work at the Forum continues across two courtyards on the lower level. The two courtyards will bring light and green space to the building, helping illuminate the Democracy In Action Lab program rooms and the Media Suite.
Speaking of the Media Suite: drywall is nearly complete. The walls of the Media Suite studios are densely packed with sound-dampening insulation. In order to ensure the safety of those using the Media Suite, the complicated wiring, piping, and ductwork – located on the ceiling – will be concealed above acoustical panels and a lighting grid. The Media Suite will be a lively and energetic space that creators from all walks of life can come and use.
Also located in the Forum Building is the Elie Wiesel Auditorium. Construction on the Auditorium is moving along swiftly: the first finished ceiling panels were installed onto lighter wood infrastructure panels that are suspended beneath the black ceiling. This intentional design will create circular and rectangular openings that house lighting and acoustical elements for visitors to use and enjoy.
The Museum
Great news: Museum exhibit installation has officially begun! The Obama Presidential Center Museum, which will detail the history of America’s first Black President and First Lady, will be an immersive experience that encourages visitors to learn more about their role in democratic progress. Here, on level three of the Museum, walls that will house an immersive and interactive exhibit space are being erected.
Work also proceeds on the other levels of the Museum, which will feature artifacts from the Obama administration and beyond, films, interactive displays, and the 88’ tall media installation, the Power of Words.
All of this is just a tiny look into the work happening at the Center: there are dozens of energy-efficient plans currently happening across the campus today. To take a deeper look at our sustainability efforts here and keep an eye out for more updates on the construction at the Presidential Center!