The Obama Presidential Center opened on June 19, 2026 after 10 years in design and construction. Led by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners, the 19.3-acre campus includes Museum, Forum, and Library buildings for which Altieri provided comprehensive mechanical and electrical engineering systems design.
The Obama Presidential Center was designed to achieve LEED Platinum, SITES Silver, and International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Zero Energy certifications for all buildings and facilities. A key component of meeting these goals is the use of an all-electric Geothermal Heat Pump System with energy sourced entirely from off-site photovoltaic panels that generate electricity without burning fossil fuels. The project includes an on-site central heating and cooling plant utilizing ground-source water-to-water heat pumps to produce chilled water and heating hot water which are available year-round with independent piping distribution systems. Ventilation air is handled by dedicated outdoor air processing (DOAP) systems to decouple the conditioning requirements of outdoor air. Provision of ventilation air is controlled in response to occupancy through the monitoring of space carbon dioxide levels and through make-up air to compensate for varying exhaust rates. The building is fully climate controlled, with year-round temperature and humidity control for all areas of the building. Building spaces have been classified into “collections” and “non-collections” categories and are served by dedicated air handling systems that maintain appropriate space environmental conditions. Humidification is provided within each air handling system via adiabatic humidifiers with low-pressure nozzle technology that directly injects a fine water mist. Energy modeling demonstrated there would be an 80% reduction in humidification energy consumption when using adiabatic humidifiers instead of electric steam humidifiers.
I am truly impressed by the final building. Even after spending years working on the project, seeing it completed exceeded my expectations. The architecture, the exhibits, and the building systems all came together beautifully, and it’s rewarding to see the climate-controlled museum spaces performing so well. There’s a real sense of pride in having been part of it. It’s the kind of place I tell people, ‘You must visit this building.’
Adam Trojanowski, PE, LEED AP, Principal in Charge
