Nesting dolls depicting former president Barack Obama and his family displayed inside the museum on 3/6.

The Obama presidential center, located in south Chicago, will open to visitors on 19/6. This 7,9-hectare complex includes a museum, community playground, fruit and vegetable gardens, an NBA-standard basketball court, and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library.

This project has been underway for over a decade, costing USD 850 million and making it the most expensive presidential library in US history.

Gowns worn by former US first lady Michelle Obama.

The most prominent structure within the complex is a 69-meter-tall truncated granite pyramid tower. This four-story tower, with almost no windows, houses the museum dedicated to Barack Obama, the first Black president of the US.

The tower's peak features giant stone letters, forming part of a 2015 speech delivered by Obama in Selma, Alabama, the birthplace of the US civil rights movement. The project development team stated that the tower's brutalist style reflects the core messages of Obama's 2009-2017 presidential term.

"This is an enduring home for hope", said Valerie Jarrett, Chief Executive Officer of the Obama Foundation and former senior White House advisor during Obama's presidency. Architects Billie Tsien and Tod Williams revealed that Obama drew inspiration from the robust sculptural works of a modern Romanian sculptor. Tsien explained that this "sturdy" form is partly due to the nature of museums, which often have few windows. "At the same time, it's an architectural statement, a hallmark of a specific presidency", she added.

The top floor features the Sky Room with panoramic views of Chicago, where visitors can gaze at the city through giant letters.

In front of the museum stand two larger-than-life statues depicting the Obamas waving to welcome visitors. Inside is the Hall of Hope and Change, featuring a giant four-story screen displaying videos of the Obama family and the civil rights movement.

A reading room located within the Chicago Public Library, outside the Museum Tower.

The first floor exhibits artifacts from Obama's youth, including a cast of his handprint. The second floor showcases his victory in the 2008 US presidential election, while the third floor celebrates the achievements of his presidency. Unlike the 15 other presidential libraries, this center stores documents digitally instead of as physical copies. According to the Obama Foundation, the facility was designed to be a community hub. Obama was deeply involved in the design process. "He has a bit of an architect's blood, even though he didn't pursue that profession, so he offered many ideas for the building's design", Jarrett commented.

One of the most impressive exhibits is a precise recreation of the Oval Office during Obama's tenure, where visitors can sit behind a full-size Resolute Desk.

Artist Theaster Gates showcases documentary images of Black beauty and life at the Forum building, where visitors will gather for free programs.

The giant basketball arena named Home Court is located within the Obama presidential center. Former president Obama has been passionate about basketball since his youth and frequently demonstrated his love for the sport during his time in office.

Hong Hanh (Photos: AP, AFP)