June 25, 2026

MKA honored for work on ‘invisible’ Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

Photos via Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library [enlarge]

The library has a curved earthen roof designed to mimic surrounding terrain, giving the impression that the structure is embedded within the landscape.

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) in North Dakota is yet to open but is already winning awards.

The library, which opens July 4, has won the 2026 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award for Juror's Favorite/Most Innovative Structure at the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois's (SEAOI) annual awards competition.

The award recognizes the project's innovative structural engineering design, which was led by Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA). MKA is headquartered in Seattle and also has an office in Chicago.

The TRPL is in a remote location near Medora and sits on the northeast side of a 93-acre butte at the edge of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the Badlands.

In honor of the 26th president's passion for conservation and nature, the roughly 10,000-square-foot structure has been designed to “tread lightly” on the surrounding landscape.

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The building’s hybrid structural system consists of mass timber slabs with glulam and steel beams.

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Construction began in June 2023. JE Dunn is the general contractor.

The building has a signature sloped earthen green roof and barely rises from the ground. To the naked eye it could easily be mistaken for a natural hill rather than a man-made structure. A minimalist boardwalk loop will encourage visitors to get outside of the library and discover the surrounding landscape, which was a place dear to Roosevelt's heart. Visitors will also be able to ascend the rooftop and enjoy commanding views of the National Park and Medora.

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation is leading the $450 million project. Global architectural firm Snohetta, which is headquartered in Norway, is the design architect. Local firm JLG Architects is the architect of record.

The SEAOI Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards Competition aims to recognize creative achievement in structural engineering and highlights projects with innovative structural designs and individual contributions that advance the profession. The Most Innovative Structure/Jurors' Favorite Award honors projects showing particular technical advancement of structural engineering, the unique application of structural design or materials, unusually creative solutions to design challenges, and creative design characteristics that merit special recognition.

MKA's structural design for the TRPL consists of a hybrid system of mass timber slabs with glulam and steel beams. This mix efficiently creates the roof's curving form and long spans without costly curved members by leveraging each material where it performs best, MKA says. The combination of steel and timber also produces a natural-feeling space that mimics the surrounding terrain and embodies the sustainable goals of the project.

Rendering by Plomp [enlarge]

The interior design is heavily influenced by the surrounding Badlands.

The project is pursuing full Living Building Challenge certification and aims to be the first building in North Dakota, and the first presidential library nationwide, to achieve this recognition.

Sustainable features include the mass timber structural elements, low-carbon materials — including low carbon concrete that has reduced the project's embodied carbon by 50% — sustainably sourced timber, rammed-earth walls and the green roof.

The building program includes an auditorium, exhibit space, a restaurant, and a classroom. An open-air breezeway and large windows will connect visitors inside with the outdoor landscape.

Construction began in June 2023. JE Dunn is the general contractor. The project team also includes Heyer Engineering as MKA's local structural partner.