The Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s South Side has been a topic of discussion due to its unique design. One of the engineers who helped design the center, Chris Bird, has fired back at online critics who have called the architecture a ‘monstrous insult’. Bird stated that the goal was to create something bold, and the vision of the speech came to life in the design.

Design and Construction

The center features a tower with quotes from various speeches delivered by Obama during his two terms in office. The 91 words wrap around a corner of the building, creating a unique look that has been both praised and ridiculed. Bird said that working with the design architects and graphic designers to shape and move a speech onto a building was unprecedented.

Despite the criticism, Bird is pleased with the result and believes it anchors the site and neighborhood. He also mentioned that the landscape architecture is incredible and invokes emotion in the people who visit the center.

Public Reaction

During the public opening of the center, many people used words like ‘phenomenal’, ‘breathtaking’, and ‘unique’ to describe the design. However, some online detractors have called the building a ‘concrete nightmare’ and a ‘monstrosity’. Bird disagrees with this characterization, saying that the tower is an incredible gesture and a bold statement.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.