John Ronan is Obama Library Finalist

John Ronan, Professor of Architecture at IIT College of Architecture and designer of IIT's Innovation Center, has been selected as one of seven finalists to present proposals for the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) to be located in one of two locations on Chicago's South Side neighborhood adjoining the University of Chicago campus.

Other finalists include Adjaye Associates (London, England), Diller Scofidio + Renfro (New York, NY), Renzo Piano Building Workshop (Genova, Italy), SHoP Architects (New York, NY), Snøhetta (New York, NY), Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (New York, NY).

The seven finalists will each present "defined, visual responses from each candidate to present creative ideas in response to the Foundation’s project goals. As the Foundation has not yet selected the specific site for the development of the OPC, the architectural firms will be asked to prepare responses for both the Jackson Park and Washington Park site."

In the announcement the Obama Foundation underlined that the architect chosen will be responsible for designing "a library holding the Presidential archives, a museum focusing on the Obama Presidency and issues of our time, and space for programs and initiatives that advance the Foundation’s public mission."