Robert A.M. Stern “Bob” believed that architecture should honor history while looking forward, creating spaces that are modern and innovative yet deeply rooted in their context. With his recent passing at age 86, the architectural world lost one of its most influential voices.
As President of the George W. Bush Foundation before a building even existed, I worked with Mrs. Laura Bush and the selection committee to handpick Stern as the architect to design the George W. Bush Presidential Center. We made the right choice.
Among his many accomplished projects, the Bush Center stands as a clear example of his architectural approach, transforming the preservation of legacy into a space that engages and inspires future generations.
“Our building is just one of the many architectural gifts Bob gave to our country, and we are grateful for it,” President George W. Bush said in a statement.
Commissioned in 2007 and completed in 2013, the Bush Center was envisioned as an institution that bridges history, policy solutions, and public engagement, and its presence on SMU’s campus will endure far longer than any of us will be here to witness.
I was lucky to work alongside Mrs. Bush and Bob in bringing that vision to life. I had the rare chance to watch, up close, an architectural master ply his craft. The process wasn’t what I expected. There were far fewer computers and much more cardboard than I imagined, and a set of challenges as unique as the project itself. Yet every hurdle felt manageable because of the man at the helm.
“I picked Bob Stern as the architect because I knew he could design a modern presidential center that would fit into SMU’s architectural style,” Mrs. Bush said. “And that’s exactly what he did.”
Breaking new ground
From the beginning, the project presented a unique challenge because it would be a presidential library that would house documents held by the National Archives, a museum, and a policy institute in one complex situated at the new main entrance to the beautiful SMU campus. The building would have to meet rigorous federal standards while also integrating seamlessly with the campus and feel approachable to the public. These complexities required an architect who could balance technical innovation with an appreciation for cohesive design. Stern’s firm, Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), was carefully selected for this reason.
Stern had the rare ability to carry forward tradition while embracing innovation. His approach, which he called modern traditionalism, departed from the loud, self-referential modernism that dominated much of contemporary architecture. Instead, he designed in ways that respected context, community, and continuity.
“He made something modern that could represent someone who was president during the first decade of the new century while honoring SMU’s Collegiate Georgian buildings,” Mrs. Bush said. “There are a lot of special demands and federal regulations on a building like this, and I knew Bob could follow them and still build an attractive building.”
Stern had many traditional principles in his modern design, leading a team that practiced old-school modeling with no computers – just hands and flexible materials – which was uncommon in the age of computer-aided design. His team would take pieces of cardboard and, as we wrestled with the building’s form, shape it until we deemed it functional.
I recall times when we’d leave a meeting with a handful of design changes, only to return the next morning to find an entirely new model had taken shape overnight. Being around him in those moments felt like stepping into Michelangelo’s studio. It was clear to see how the tactile, deliberate process grounded his work in a way that was uncommon in modern architecture practices, and it was quintessentially him.
Designed to inspire learning
Stern and his team faced the essential task of designing a building that would complement and integrate seamlessly with SMU’s distinct Academic Georgian style. At the same time, the Bush Center needed to reflect its place in Texas and acknowledge the region’s architectural traditions. Stern approached the project with care, respecting the campus’s character while thoughtfully introducing regional influences, like Texas limestone.
“I was delighted and relieved when Robert Stern was selected as the architect,” SMU President Emeritus Dr. Gerald Turner said. “His previous creations of significant projects reflected respect for the historic architectural style of the institution into which his newly designed structure would be inserted.”
At his core, Stern was a teacher above all else, commuting to Yale three times a week to teach classes while running a major architectural practice in New York City. He understood that campuses should feel like academic villages and approached architecture with the same dedication he brought to teaching, believing that learning from history is the best path to creating a better tomorrow.
A commitment to intentional design
Stern’s commitment to sustainability shaped every aspect of the Bush Center. The building earned LEED Platinum certification, the highest rating of sustainability, and became the first presidential library to achieve this level under new construction standards.
Reaching Platinum status required careful execution and strict adherence to environmental standards. For the Bush Center, 80% of all materials had to come from within 500 miles, demanding careful sourcing and coordination.
The limestone, drawn almost entirely from Texas, connects the building to the landscape where the Bush family built their lives. Pecan wood paneling added another layer of regional character. Stern personally oversaw the selection of every stone, brick, and finish, bringing the precision of a master architect to every detail. The result is a building that is sustainable, elegant, and inspired by its region and community
Beyond materials, the building’s layout shows Stern’s intentional planning. The entrance to the Bush Museum facing SMU Boulevard is an inviting courtyard that welcomes visitors from all over the world inside to learn about Bush’s presidency. The entrance to the Bush Institute faces the SMU campus, symbolically welcoming students and future leaders to engage with history, policy, and new ideas. Every design choice balances functionality and accessibility, creating a space that welcomes learning and public engagement.
“I’m grateful that Laura chose Bob Stern as the architect of the George W. Bush Presidential Center,” President Bush said. “Only Bob could have imagined a building that captures both the majesty and modesty of the American presidency, the spirit of West Texas, the style of SMU, and Laura’s modern taste. He did so with a lot of burdens unique to a presidential center. What he created can handle heavy foot traffic, complex events, storage for delicate papers and artifacts, offices for our policy institute, and strict security requirements.”
A foundation for the future
Today, the Bush Center continues to embody the ideals that inspired its design. Under the leadership of President and CEO Shilo Brooks, a scholar and teacher whose values mirror Stern’s, the center is fulfilling its education mission of inviting people to learn from our shared history and shape a better future.
Stern poured his heart and professional wisdom into creating a building rooted in tradition yet open to possibility. He leaves behind an extraordinary portfolio of work, but here on our campus, his legacy is especially personal. Every visitor who walks through our doors and every member of our community who gathers here carries forward a piece of his vision.
His life was a gift to American architecture, and his work here will outlast us all. As we reflect on Stern’s passing, the Bush Center stands as a living tribute that honors the past, serves the present, and embodies the promise of what is to come.
“I loved working with him and his great team,” Mrs. Bush said. “Bob was fun, smart, quick, and talented. I’m thankful for him and all the beauty he leaves behind.”
