James Polshek

James (Jim) Stewart Polshek is the chief architect of the Clinton Library. He is the founder of the Polshek Partnership and former Dean of the Columbia University School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation from 1972 to 1987. With his partner Richard Olcott, Polshek presented the "Bridge to the 21st Century" design for the Library selected by Bill Clinton.

Polshek had initially designed the building to jut out over the Arkansas River, but the "Secret Service nixed that," he noted. "The concern was that a ship with explosives could pull up underneath. But when you get to the end of the building, you'll feel like you're out on the river."

References

Fred A. Bernstein, "Archive Architecture: Setting the Spin in Stone," New York Times, June 10, 2004.