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ASCE Highlights Engineering Behind Obama Presidential Center UHPC Speech Screen

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently recognized the engineering innovation behind one of the Obama Presidential Center’s defining architectural features.

The article explores the collaboration between architects, structural engineers, fabricators, and contractors required to transform President Obama’s words into a permanent architectural feature spanning the upper portion of the Museum Building.

Engineering a Landmark Architectural Feature

Designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, the speech screen consists of 39 custom Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) panels containing 458 cast letters. The monumental installation required close collaboration between the project team to develop innovative structural solutions capable of supporting the massive letter panels while preserving the architect’s original design intent.

Why UHPC Was Critical to the Project

The article examines how TYLin engineered the speech screen to span significant distances with minimal visible supports while allowing the installation to read as one continuous architectural composition.

It also highlights the role Ultra High Performance played in the project. 

Envel’s Role

Envel manufactured the 39 custom UHPC speech screen panels, collaborating closely with the project team throughout fabrication to refine concrete mixtures, reinforcement strategies, manufacturing techniques, and quality control processes required to bring the design from concept to reality.

Read the Full ASCE Article

Read the full article from the ASCE to learn more about the engineering innovation and collaboration behind one of the Obama Presidential Center’s most recognizable architectural features.

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Designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, the Obama Presidential Library features UHPC concrete letters that display an excerpt from President Barack Obama’s speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches. Envel manufactured the architectural-grade UHPC panels, translating language into structure at an unprecedented scale.

For the past five years, Envel worked closely with the design and engineering teams to refine geometry, engineering performance, and fabrication strategy. The result is a facade installation that combines precision, durability, and expressive architectural form.

The custom panels were produced using Envel’s proprietary Ultra High Performance Concrete mix, selected for its high compressive strength, low porosity, and long-term performance in Chicago’s demanding climate. Advanced modeling and engineering analysis allowed for geometries and letterforms not previously realized in traditional concrete construction.

In total, 39  facade panels were cast from 52 unique molds, forming 458 individual letters. Each letter measures approximately 4 feet 4 inches tall and is integrated into panels ranging from 20 to 30 feet in height. Individual panels weigh up to 20,000 pounds and measure 1-foot thick, requiring carefully engineered stainless-steel embeds and custom-fabricated attachment systems produced in-house by Envel.

Each casting cycle spanned five to seven days, with more than 15 months dedicated to full production. Before installation, both the panels and the building were laser scanned to ensure precise alignment and fitment across the facade.

The letterforms utilize a custom Gothic typeface originally associated with President Obama’s 2008 campaign, reinforcing the narrative continuity of the installation. Once installed, the panels transform the tower into a permanent architectural expression of remembrance and progress.

Manufactured entirely in South Bend, the project highlights Envel’s expertise in custom UHPC facade systems and reinforces the region’s advanced architectural manufacturing capabilities. The durability and minimal maintenance requirements of Ultra High Performance Concrete align with the Obama Presidential Center’s long-term sustainability goals.

The Obama Presidential Center serves as a cultural anchor for Chicago’s South Side, bringing together a museum, public library branch, and community gathering spaces. With the completion of the custom UHPC letter panels, Envel Facade is proud to have contributed to a landmark project where architecture and language converge at a monumental scale.

About Envel® Facade
Envel® Facade is a South Bend, Indiana-based manufacturer specializing in custom Ultra High Performance Concrete panels and architectural facade systems. Serving architects, developers, and contractors nationwide, Envel delivers Ultra High Performance Concrete solutions engineered for durability, design flexibility, and long-term performance.

For media inquiries and project details, contact:

Jessica Reisenbuchler
Marketing Director
Envel Facade
(847) 340-5072
jreisenbuchler@envelfacade.com

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South Bend, IN, January 8. 2025 —Envel® Facade, a leader in Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) façade systems, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Prefabricats Planas, a prominent provider of prefabricated building materials located in Spain. This collaboration will introduce Envel’s renowned façade technology to the European market, empowering Planas to offer architects and contractors access to advanced, innovative façade solutions under the well-established Envel name.

By partnering with Envel®, Prefabricats Planas will leverage the strength and reputation of a nationally recognized brand to further extend their market presence within Spain, Portugal, and France. This agreement allows Planas to capitalize on Envel’s extensive industry experience and leadership in façade innovation, positioning it to meet the demand for high-quality, design-forward building solutions.

“We are excited to collaborate with Prefabricats Planas and bring our façade systems to the European market,” said Craig Heaney, President of Envel® Facade. “Their expertise and local presence, combined with the strength of the Envel brand, will ensure that European architects and builders have access to some of the most advanced façade systems available.”

With this strategic partnership, Francesc Planas expressed that “Joining forces with a company like Envel will drive our joint growth and allow us to offer a high-quality product to the market. We’ll work together to offer the construction and architecture sector a high-quality and architecturally aesthetic product.”

About Envel® Facade
Envel® Facade specializes in Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) façade panels, delivering durable and design-flexible solutions to architects and builders worldwide. With over 40 years of expertise, Envel is committed to driving innovation in architectural design and construction.

About Prefabricats Planas
Prefabricats Planas is a leading name in the Spanish construction industry, offering high-quality prefabricated building materials. With a strong reputation for reliability and innovation, Prefabricats Planas is dedicated to delivering advanced solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern construction.

For more information about the partnership between Envel®  Facade and Prefabricats Planas, contact:

Jessica Reisenbuchler
Marketing Director
Envel Facade
(574)246-0644
jreisenbuchler@envelfacade.com

Sara Noguer
Marketing Manager
Planas
+34 626 18 79 51
marketing@prefabricatsplanas.com

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Listen to the full interview to hear more!

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