Obama Presidential Center’s dour ‘Death Star’ shape explained

NY Post ^ | 12/26/25 | Victor Nava

[Libloather]

The odd design of former President Barack Obama’s new presidential center is supposed to evoke unity and not Darth Vader, according to an Obama Foundation official, who explained the bizarre look of the austere building.

The $830 million monolith — slated to open in Chicago next year — has drawn comparisons to the “Death Star” on social media, and some locals have described it as a “concrete tomb” and a “monstrosity.”

“The shape of the building was actually meant to mimic four hands coming together to show the importance of our collective action,” Obama Foundation Deputy Director Kim Patterson told CBS Chicago.

The 225-foot tower’s windows are few and far between, which Patterson noted was also purposeful.

“There are not a lot of windows on the building, but that’s intentional because sunlight is just not a friend to the artwork and the artifacts that are going inside of the building,” she said.

Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett, who served as a senior adviser during the former president’s two terms in the White House, noted that Obama has been very involved in the design of his library.

“I wish that people could be a fly on the wall to see how many times in the course of the day that I hear from President Obama about ideas for the center, tweaks, programming, what we can do for the design,” Jarrett said.

“I sent him the menu for the restaurants,” she added. “He cares about what food we’re offering. Is it affordable? Is it tasty? Will children want it?”

Jarrett touted the foundation’s efforts to contract with racially diverse businesses throughout the process.

“Because we believe inclusion is actually a strength,” she said.

[Libloather]

Other than the improperly spaced rebar, things should go well. $830 million for a hunk of really ugly cement. Some good news that lasts forever - Cankles will never get one.

[Adder]

Food: Will children want it?”

LOL!

Let Big Mike take a swing at that one...

[Texas Eagle]

The 225-foot tower’s windows are few and far between, which Patterson noted was also purposeful.

Ah. I see. It's like a giant windowless van.

“I sent him the menu for the restaurants,” she added. “He cares about what food we’re offering. Is it affordable? Is it tasty? Will children want it?”

I have an idea. Hand paint "Free candy" on all 4 sides.

[Stosh]

A giant outhouse on what used to be a beautiful stretch of Lake Shore Drive - a perfect reminder of what we go when BO was elected.

[Texas Eagle]

I wish that people could be a fly on the wall to see how many times in the course of the day that I hear from President Obama about ideas for the center, tweaks, programming, what we can do for the design,” Jarrett said.

What's stopping you from videotaping those brainstorming sessions? Or, better yet, carry them live. Like Trump’s cabinet meetings.

[equaviator]

[Sacajaweau]

As gross as the MLK statue. They go together....

[magooey]

The 225-foot tower’s windows are few and far between, which Patterson noted was also purposeful.

Like modern American mosques, there are few windows and those windows are slits. Like medieval castles, these slits are good for firing projectiles out.

[Candor7]

[Blennos]

Some great comments at the link site, including this one:

“I understand modern architecture however this is a monstrosity, just like his 8 years in office... a disaster.”

IgortheDog

[Az Joe]

Looks like a federal prison

[Semper Vigilantis]

My first thought was that it looks like the old AA towers the Nazis built in Berlin.

[MayflowerMadam]

Chitlins?

[Raven6]

Oversized Kenyan mud hut...

[Ann Archy]

This is “BRUTALISM ARCHITECTURE” on STEROIDS! UGLY beyond words!! WHO IS THE ARCHITECT, Marquis de Sade???

[nesnah]

A Borg penis.

[Sirius Lee]

“The shape of the building was actually meant to mimic four hands coming together to show the importance of our collective action,”

It represents four iron fists - each aligned to a cardinal point - with which the globalists intend to control the population.

[Ex-Con777]

> Food: Will children want it?”<

Every kid likes a puppy.

EC

[griswold3]

Jarret draws $750k/yr for her position at Obama Foundation

[Blennos]

My first thought was that it looks like the old AA towers the Nazis built in Berlin.

You're right. It does very much resemble a concrete flak tower.