NBA-size courts, gymnasium and community space to open in 2025

A rendering of the outside front of Home Court from Stony Island Avenue. It is daylight in the picture. Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center is a large silver and glass building, with large rectangular windows covering the majority of the front of the building and two large inverted silver triangles of metal cladding interrupting the glass on the side. In front of the building are green shrubs and trees planted along a pedestrian walkway. To the left of the building is a large patch of grass surrounded by a pedestrian walkway. To the right of the building are tall green trees. On the pedestrian pathways are several people walking, standing, and sitting. There is a bicycle rack on the pedestrian walkway.

Anchoring the southwest corner of our campus in Jackson Park, Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center will serve as a place for active community engagement and enrichment. As one of several hubs at the Presidential Center, this 45,000 square foot multipurpose space will act as a venue for a variety of youth and adult programming, professional conferences, and community events for organizations.

An aerial rendering of Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center. The building is silver and glass with a sloped white roof and an array of dark gray solar panels on the roof. The front of the building has several glass windows and a rectangular awning over the entrance on the left. Surrounding the building is Jackson Park. On the right side of the building are tall green trees. On the left side is a park path with patches of green grass and tan placeholders where playground equipment will be. In front of the building is a sidewalk leading out to the street. Walking along the sidewalk path in front of the building are several people.

An aerial rendering of Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center from above Stony Island Avenue

The Obama Foundation Home Court’s design is inspired by two of President Obama’s personal passions – basketball and building community – with a sleek metal and fritted glass panel exterior inspired by the pattern and form of a basketball net as a metaphor for community connection. This building is also designed in line with the Foundation’s sustainability goals and will be heated and cooled primarily through the use of geothermal energy, which is a key part of a campus-wide strategy to avoid the use of fossil fuels.

When open, Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center will feature a gymnasium including an NBA regulation-size court with intersecting practice courts, flexible seating that are able to accommodate everything from sports programs to community events and formal banquets.

The image is a rendering of our Home Court gymnasium. The gymnasium has a wooden floor with basketball court markings and the Obama Foundation logo in blue at center court. The walls of the gymnasium are paneled in wood and light colored metal trusses span the ceiling. The wall furthest from the photo is made of rectangular glass windows. Through the windows you can see Jackson Park. In the gymnasium are people playing on the basketball court, people sitting in seats on the court, and people sitting in bleachers.

A rendering of the Home Court gymnasium at the Obama Presidential Center

The image is a rendering of Home Court’s Mezzanine level. In the image we see a small area set up with two small tables and one long communal table. People are sitting at each of these tables. The area has a gray solid surface floor and a white ceiling with small lights. The wall furthest away in the image is made of rectangular glass windows. Outside the windows you can see the Obama Presidential Center campus, specifically the playground in the foreground and the Museum Building rising up beyond trees. On the left side of the image is mesh railing and a set of exposed stairs that lead to the lobby below.

A rendering of the Mezzanine level of Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center

The image is a rendering of the Home Court’s gymnasium. The gymnasium has a wooden floor with basketball court markings and the Obama Foundation logo in blue at center court. The walls of the gymnasium are wood paneling and light colored metal trusses span the ceiling. The wall furthest from the photo is made of rectangular glass windows. Through the windows you can see Jackson Park. On the floor of the gymnasium are dozens of round banquet tables with white tablecloths. Several people are seated at each table. In front of the wall further from the photo is a black stage and podium. Five people stand on the stage.

A rendering of Obama Foundation’s Home Court gymnasium, set up for a banquet event at the Obama Presidential Center

Sports have the power to transform lives, build strong bonds, and strengthen communities. Sports can also help build democratic culture through every day lessons about leadership, teamwork, and overcoming challenges on the court and the field. The programs offered at the Obama Foundation’s Home Court will empower generations of young people through learning life and leadership skills, exploring career pathways, and building trusting relationships with their peers and adults through sports and play.

A side view into the main level Program Room in Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center. Adults with varying skin and hair tones, from light to dark are listening to a speaker, a woman wearing gray and pink with a gray headcover, who stands at a high tabletop, addressing the crowd. Behind the speaker a wall of glass shows lush greenery outside. Inside the program room has a gray wall to the left with rectangular wooden open shelving that contains sports and fitness gear, and blonde-colored flooring. At the far end a tv screen with blue graphics is mounted onto a patterned light-colored wall.

A rendering of the main level Program Room at Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center

The image is a rendering of the lobby of Home Court. The floor of the lobby is gray solid surface and the ceiling is light gray with small singular spotlights. On the far right of the image is the exterior entrance to our Home Court facilities: one of four silver metal doors with a brown wooden awning. In the center of the photo is a small seating area: in the seating areas are 4 casual chairs in green and blue and two beige couches. People are seated in the seating area. Behind the couches and chairs is a blue sign with light green words that read, “bucket dribble spin block dunk swoosh run.” On the left side of the image is a welcome desk. The desk is clad in dark brown metal and has the word, “Welcome” posted on the left side of the desk. On the desk is a computer monitor. Behind the desk is another computer and a black computer chair. On the wall behind the desk is a digital screen with two graphics displayed. The first is a yellow rectangle that says “Family Day” and shows a picture of a man holding a toddler. The second is a green square that says, “Plant Workshop” and features a picture of a pink plant. Between the welcome desk and sitting area is a hallway leading to the Athletic Center’s main level multipurpose room. On the wall of the hallway is a branded logo of the Obama Foundation.

A rendering of the lobby of Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center

Bridging Chicago’s South Side and the campus, Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center is integrated within the campus park while also displaying reverence for neighboring institutions including Hyde Park Academy High School, Jackson Park, and The South Side YMCA. The Foundation is also working with local community organizations including the YMCA, XS Tennis, Project Swish, Southside Wolfpack, Girls in the Game, and After School Matters to build new opportunities for young people in the community.

Our Home Court facility is being built by Elevate Design Builders, a joint firm led by Bowa Construction, an African American-owned construction management firm headquartered in Chicago on South Stony Island, and AECOM/Hunt. Moody Nolan, the largest African American design firm in the United States, is the design partner for the Elevate Design Build team.

To learn more about Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center, please read our recent press release.

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The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

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