Posted on 08/29/2007 11:35:54 AM PDT by Lorianne
Famed New York architect Robert A.M. Stern, who has designed traditional, elegant homes and buildings from Martha's Vineyard to Kazakhstan, has been chosen to design the George W. Bush Presidential Library.
The decision announced Tuesday seems to all but guarantee that the library will be built at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, first lady Laura Bush's alma mater. SMU appears to be the only site still in the running for the prestigious facility, although members of the selection team have not announced their final choice.
In a telephone interview, Stern said he was chosen after meeting with the Bushes at their Crawford ranch last week. The architect said they didn't discuss a specific design but agreed that the library complex should be compatible with the "very beautiful SMU campus."
Stern, 68, heads Robert A.M. Stern Architects of New York, a 300-person firm that has designed stately villas, resorts, commercial properties and cultural centers around the globe. He is also dean of the School of Architecture at the president's alma mater, Yale University.
Stern's work includes the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston; the American Revolution Center at Valley Forge, Pa.; the Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge, Mass.; the Nashville Public Library; and luxury homes in retreats such as Martha's Vineyard, Mass., and Aspen, Colo.
The firm also designed the Disney BoardWalk at the Walt Disney World Resort at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
"He's undoubtedly one of the most eminent architects in this country," said Richard Guy Wilson, Commonwealth Professor of Architectural History at the University of Virginia.
Stern, describing himself as a "modern traditionalist" who looks "back to the past for inspiration," said he plans to design the complex to be "sympathetic" with the Georgian Revival architecture of the red-brick SMU campus.
"It has to be its own distinct building, but distinct does not mean wildly, wackily different," he said.
Stern, who declined to discuss his fee, said he hopes to begin work as soon as he assembles other members of the design team and sorts through preliminary details.
The president and first lady have not offered specific design recommendations, he said, but Bush told him that "he definitely wants this building to be welcoming to everyone -- everyone."
"He made that very, very clear," Stern said. "A tourist will be comfortable coming in that day with whatever he's wearing."
The complex, which would be on the eastern edge of the campus, will likely have several buildings, including a library and a museum or policy institute and archives for the material amassed during Bush's eight years in office.
The Bushes plan to return to Texas after the president's term ends in January 2009 and are expected to live in Dallas and spend much of their time at the Crawford ranch.
"He wants to make sure that this building has an enduring legacy of ideas and discussions, that this is not just a bunch of papers being stored and archived," Stern said.
But anyway, great choice. He's top-notch.
Well, that sounds better than the trailer house on stilts Billy Jeff picked.
What? No top-notch architects in Crawford?
I expect it will be constructed with illegal labor and financed with deficit spending?
The Library will likely be in Dallas, on the SMU campus.
Great choice for architect, but the President should really place his library next to his dad’s at Texas A&M. You can bet that for many years to come Leftist protestors will picket and otherwise disrupt proceedings at the Bush Library. At A&M the Corps of Cadets is hardly going to be as congenial to such activities as will be, say, the SMU faculty. Moreover, the security currently in place at the first Bush library could simply be extended to the second. Finally, a 2d Bush libary at or near the same site would only add lustre to the first. Why split them up?
Laura is on the board of SMU and is an alum, as is Harriet Miers. What else do you need to know about our President’s decision making?
It's really only fair that Bush's library be built in Mexico City, Mexico near the people he loves and cares the most about.
The library is going to be several blocks away from the main part of the campus. There's no real need to match architecture.
Me either; since it sucks.
I visited the Bush Library at A&M and found it to be completely boring. That was several years ago--maybe the situation is better now.
Yeah, I imagine real estate will be at a premium.
Amazing, if you think about it. The SMU faculty is going to make life hell for the place, at least it gets on board propagating liberalism. Of course I guess Laura would be ok with that. Maybe Harriet Miers can be the general counsel to the whole thing. I guess she’s looking for work, now, right?
Can they use eminent domain laws to tear down some really expensive houses in the area close to the campus?
You don't like the Billy-Box?
Architectural Blue Prints for the Billy-Box 
Architectural Inspiration for the Billy-Box
He designed the Beach Club/Yacht Club at Epcot?
interesting question. only if the entity doing the project is a public entity with a public purpose or some entity given the power of eminent domain, ie, a governmental entity, a utility or common carrier, a sports authority, etc. I doubt if the museum corporation has that power...however, with all the expansion of eminent domain over the years, it would hardly surprise me.
What would be cool would be if the Bush library started having to butt heads with the State of Texas.
The only thing good about the Bush library going up is that it means his presidency is winding down.
Clintons are the trashiest couple to ever push their way into the White House. I pray AMerica takes a long hard look at all the candidates before picking the WORST and LEAST qualified next year in Hillary. Words aren’t in the dictionary for the disgust that fills my throat whenever their names come up....
Which part of Clinton’s library houses the massage parlor and “bunny ranch”? I think it is on the left side, isn’t it?
no argument from me on that!
I’m a little disappointed Baylor wasn’t chosen but not surprised. Their proposed site on the Brazos River is beautiful and Stern’s architecture would blend well with the buildings on the Baylor campus. The SMU campus is also beautiful, but the area is a traffic nightmare.
Exterior View
Interior View
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now that was funny!
Remember when I told you this?
Did they consider building it in Laredo, McAllen or El Paso?
Yes, you did! I will just bet they are more than ready to come “home”!
Her mom still lives in my area, so I expect they will be here often to visit her...or move her to be closer to them. That would be the more logical thing to do.
OR...when they buy or build a home, she’ll have her own place on their compound.
An absolute architectural genius who can with great subtly reveal the hidden aspects of his clients' personalities while creating functional structures.
And he has a great sense of humor.
Didn’t you have a pic. of the future library?
Good question (even if tongue-in-cheek)! Are you alluding to the abuse of eminent domain by the city of Little Rock to force demolition of an historic site --to make way for Billy Jeff's presidential library trailer park palace?
That would be even better. She’s pretty frail and might need nurses, but I am sure they would be able to afford them! LOL!
You know how well they take care of her and will take care of her.
They are good people! They take care of their own.
Most excellent!
LOL!
Well, yes I am! However, SMU is in probably the highest priced neighborhood in Dallas—Park Cities, which comprises University Park and Highland Park.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.