Sketches show revised plans for Obama Presidential Centre

Barack and Michelle Obama have released a new series of images depicting the future Obama Presidential Centre, revealing a revised vision of the layout and landscaping of the campus in Chicago's Jackson Park.

Since the original design for the Centre was revealed last year, the team behind it has used input from the public -- gathered through community meetings and online surveys -- to make changes, notably to the landscape plans and recreational spaces.

The new images shared Wednesday reveal the results of the public feedback and were unveiled on the same day as the Center announced it had submitted applications to the City of Chicago, a major milestone in the development process.

As the team has envisioned it, the Center will be an open campus that integrates into Jackson Park. Museum and library buildings will be joined by a space called the "Forum," where, according to the former US president, "anybody can come together for some local programming, or to gather for larger-scale events in an auditorium, maybe record something in a broadcast studio, or just have a bite to eat."

Those buildings will be situated around a public plaza envisioned as a "town square," with play areas, walking paths, a sledding hill and an indoor athletic facility.

"When I was younger, there was a time I dreamed of being an architect," said Barack Obama in revealing the new crowdsourced plans. "So, as you might guess, I've been pretty hands-on in the plans for this Center -- and Michelle has, too. We want it to be a place full of life and activity, where Chicagoans and visitors alike can explore, exchange ideas, learn, and have some fun."

Find out more about the Center, and view new sketches, at www.obama.org/the-center.