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James Polshek - along with partner
Richard Olcott - designed both a metaphorical and a literal
bridge, relating to the existing
Rock Island Bridge (closed since 1980 but set to open soon
as a pedestiran connection across the river) and Clinton's
"Bridge to the 21st Century." The library/museum
is contained in the "bridge", constructed as a truss
with 30' structural bays that allow double-height spaces along
its length. The presidential
archive is contained in a landlocked structure south of the
musuem, partially undergound for archival reasons, though
it also helps to form the plaza between it and Choctaw Station.
With Clinton's desire for transparency in the final design,
the architects needed to balance this desire with the needs
of the exhibitions (no direct light and stable ambient environment),
something they achieved with a double facade and a custom
laminated glass. Mechanical systems are located under the
main floor of the museum, allowing for exhibition spaces without
any distracting ducts. |
