MORE ABOUT: William J. Clinton Presidential Center – Little Rock, Arkansas

MORE ABOUT:
William J. Clinton Presidential Center
1200 President Clinton Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas
72201

Map

Completion: 2004
Architects: Polshek Partnership Architects
Richard M. Olcott FAIA, Design Partner
James S. Polshek FAIA, Design Partner
Joseph L. Fleischer FAIA, Partner-in-Charge
Kevin P. McClurkan AIA, Project Manager
Associate Architects: Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter Architects, Ltd.
Landscape Architect: Hargreaves Associates
Client: William J. Clinton Foundation

The William J. Clinton Presidential Center is a $200 million center is multi-functioning that serves as a library, permanent and temporary exhibits, 80 seat orientation theater, a multipurpose Great Hall, and a restaurant.

90 feet of the building cantilevers out perpendicular to the river so that the park and views that surround the building can be enjoyed by park visitors without the interruption of the 420 foot long building. The 28 acre park replaces the abandoned industrial site to create a more aesthetically pleasing aspect of the city.

The glass and metal structure is naturally lit and resembles a bridge to reference the six bridges that cross the Arkansas River.

The exhibition hall is 240 feet long and 40 feet high ceilings. The exhibition features a 110 foot long timeline that represents President Clinton’s presidency.

The ground floor plan of The William J. Clinton Presidential Center.

The fritted-glass brise soleil helps provide shade for the building without preventing the building from being naturally lit.

Unobstructed views allow visitors to take in the magnificent view of the river while inside the building.

The south side of the building is the refurbished 1899 Choctaw Station that is used to house presidential documents and also has several classrooms inside.

Case study by: Richard Beeler
ARE 320K, Fall 2010

Sources:
“Clinton Presidential Center.” William J. Clinton Presidential Center. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2010. .

“William J. Clinton Presidential Center.” arcspace. N.p., 11 June 2007. Web. 9
Sept. 2010. .

Other Sources(UT Library):
Book: Susan Strauss and Sean Sawyer: Polshek Partnership Architects. New York, New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2005.

Article: “Little Rock rocks: more than just a library is breaking ground in Little Rock” Urban land, 2003 Feb., v.62, n.2, p.92-93,98-100.

“Building Bridges” Architecture; Feb2005, Vol. 94 Issue 2, p36-39, 4p