Once upon a time in the windy city of Chicago, a shiny new attraction sprouted like a mushroom after a rainstorm—the Obama Presidential Center. Now, you’d think a presidential center would be a stately structure, brimming with history and reverence, right? Well, not this one. From afar, some might mistake it for an oversized trash can or even a modern jail, with its sleek design standing proudly amidst an unexpected narrative.

This area isn’t your typical historical district. While the Center is located in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago, adjacent to the University of Chicago campus, the surrounding location may spark curiosity with its juxtaposition of urban reality. However, contrary to some whimsical tales, there are no rusting boats doubling as planters here, nor is there trash strewn about by nature’s hand.

Visitors wandering amidst the looming shadows of the Center might see a design conceptualized as “four hands coming together,” wrapped in granite panels—a testament to thoughtful architectural imagination. Forget erroneous depictions of discarded artifacts; this is an endeavor towards a digitized future, housing a fully digitized presidential library component under the auspices of NARA.

In the end, though, this location is just the kind of place that fits right into the narrative of change and surprise. The Obama Center stands both as a symbol and as a literal representation of the complexity and contradictions of his years in office. And while not everyone might share an appreciation for its modernist setting and ambitious aims, the site does create a distinctive backdrop, fitting right in with the surprises that politics often throws our way.