If you want to explore the history of the George W. Bush Presidency, now you have a great place that will provide you a deep insight of his career and life, its Presidency, but also of American history and many other important issues of public policy through official records, artefacts, donated collections and innovative exhibits- the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Founded by former George W. Bush president and his wife and built with private donations, the Presidential Center located in Dallas, Texas, had its special ceremony dedication on April 25 2013 where participated all living Presidents, dignitaries and supporters, and opened to the general public on May 1st 2013.
Covering 226,000-square-foot for its beautiful building and 15-acre of urban park on the campus of Southern Methodist University (SMU), it houses the Bush Institute and the offices, the George W. Bush Foundation and the fantastic Bush Presidential Library and Museum, which occupies the 13th place in the National Archives and Records Administration system and becomes the second-largest presidential library after Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The project is environmentally sustainable both in terms of building and landscape design. They complement somehow each other resulting in an amazing destination for researchers, historians, students and all kind of visitors.
The building’s brick and limestone design is envisioned by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and fit in perfectly with the American Georgian character of the wonderful SMU campus. Attested with LEED Platinum, the highest level in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, the George W. Bush Presidential Center building uses on large scale local materials recycled ones (pecan paneling, millwork Texas Cordova Cream limestone) and features green and highly-reflective roofs, rooftop solar hot water panels, brises-soleils on the west and south façades, shaded balconies,etc. Freedom Hall, a 67-foot high tower stands out, being the signature architectural feature of the building.
Photo © BROOKS KRAFT / CORBIS FOR TIME
Photo © BROOKS KRAFT / CORBIS FOR TIME
This section with a unique 360-degree high-definition LED media wall brings plenty of natural daylight into the heart of the building and, at night, glows softly distinguishing the The Bush Center in SMU campus. It provides access to The Museum and Presidential Archives where visitors can explore the interactive museum galleries, sit in the recreated White House Oval Office, examine Bush’s baseball collection, enjoy the Texas Rose Garden, eat lunch in the restaurant or café, or shop in the Museum store. The Institute section of the building is “an exciting place, a results-oriented institute” as former president said, where all the programms undertaken here have the purpose to change the country and the world.
For that, it includes a 360-seat auditorium, seminar rooms, a fully-equipped broadcast and recording studio, reception rooms, as well as offices for staff. After visiting the Center, visitors can stroll through the scenic and sustainable landscape of the 15-acre park filled with native Blackland Prairie grasses and seasonal wildflowers, creation of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.
Photos © Peter Aaron