The Obama Foundation has clarified that the unique design of former President Barack Obama’s upcoming presidential center is intended to symbolize unity, not to resemble the infamous Darth Vader, despite what some might think. This revelation came amidst public curiosity surrounding the center’s unconventional appearance.

Set to open in Chicago next year, the $830 million structure has sparked lively discussions online, with some comparing it to the “Death Star” from Star Wars. Locals have offered colorful descriptions, labeling it a “concrete tomb” and a “monstrosity” due to its stark design.

Kim Patterson, Deputy Director of the Obama Foundation, shed light on the design’s inspiration during an interview with CBS Chicago. “The building’s form is intended to represent four hands coming together, emphasizing the significance of collective action,” Patterson explained, aiming to dispel misconceptions about the structure’s appearance.

The 225-foot tower notably features a limited number of windows, a deliberate choice according to Patterson. “The scarcity of windows is by design, as natural light can be detrimental to the preservation of artworks and artifacts that will be housed within,” she stated, addressing concerns about the building’s austere facade.

“There are not a lot of windows on the building, but that’s intentional because sunlight is just not a friend to the artwork and the artifacts that are going inside of the building,” she said.

Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett, who served as a senior adviser during the former president’s two terms in the White House, noted that Obama has been very involved in the design of his library. 

“I wish that people could be a fly on the wall to see how many times in the course of the day that I hear from President Obama about ideas for the center, tweaks, programming, what we can do for the design,” Jarrett said.

“I sent him the menu for the restaurants,” she added. “He cares about what food we’re offering. Is it affordable? Is it tasty? Will children want it?” 

Jarrett touted the foundation’s efforts to contract with racially diverse businesses throughout the process. 

“Because we believe inclusion is actually a strength,” she said. 

Rather than housing physical copies of Obama’s presidential records, the library will contain digital files because Obama was “the first president to digitize all of his papers from the White House,” according to Jarrett.

“This is a real advantage for those who are interested in doing research, whether you’re a school student, or whether you’re a PhD or a world expert,” she argued.

Obama’s sprawling 20-acre presidential center is expected to open next June in Jackson Park, on the South Side of Chicago. 

The former president has said visitors can expect to see his wife Michelle’s dresses on display, and the facility will also have “an audio and recording studio so we can bring kids in to give exposure and training to tell their stories.”