Obama Center's walnut benches, designed for comfort and inclusion, engineered by former Long Island man

When Max Davis saw the walnut benches he spent years developing placed in the Obama Presidential Center’s museum galleries, his work took on a new meaning.

“These things that we were just sanding away and cutting away on in our shop setting, it’s a whole different thing, but seeing them there, it’s much more regal, much more satisfying," Davis said. “I think context changes everything."

Davis, 39, a Chicago-based developer from Oyster Bay, oversaw the construction of the eight wooden benches stationed throughout museum exhibits in the Obama Center, which opened to the public last week on Juneteenth. The benches, created in collaboration with Chicago designer Norman Teague, have inclusive features, including audio technology that helps hard of hearing visitors better access the exhibits.

Teague began consulting on museum planning in 2017 and was commissioned to design seating for the center in 2021. After working with Davis on multiple projects beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Teague came to Davis with his designs for the museum.

“We kind of got the understanding that we liked working together," Teague, 57, said. “Max, being a phenomenal design engineer, it’s always helpful to have that kind of secure mechanical feedback."

Each of the eight benches is unique, varying in length and seat depth. The benches are made with a Baltic birch base and have cavities that allow electronics to run through the interior.

“It’s got some technology for hard of hearing people built into it that syncs up with all the projections that they have all over the museum so that they can plug into it and hear the audio," Davis said.

The benches allow museum visitors to take breaks as they explore the museum, which features exhibits including scenes from Obama’s presidency, a replica of Obama’s Oval Office and some of Michelle Obama’s wardrobe.

“Norman really wanted to give people a place to lean back and be comfortable, especially older people, on their journey through the museum," Davis said. “I think that he felt like a lot of these places don’t have enough places for people to rest and to feel safe and supported, so he really wanted to add that into it."

The Obama Foundation emphasized placing artwork throughout the museum and on the presidential center’s grounds, including paintings, statues and photographs.

“From the very beginning, we imagined the Obama Presidential Center as a place where art would deepen our visitors’ curiosity and inspiration. These extraordinary artists bring forward different stories, perspectives, and styles that reflect the richness of our shared values," wrote Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, in a news release.

Davis, who studied architecture at Cornell University, runs a developing team out of a building he owns in Chicago, the Max Davis Group. The building houses Teague’s design studio, along with a few other studios, and Max CNC, the company that cut and constructed the benches.

The duo’s history of collaboration helped Davis bring Teague’s designs to fruition and transform his designs into functional benches.

“I feel like a lot of my job is to just kind of listen to artists and try to best manifest their dreams or what they want in physical form," Davis said.

Teague said Davis’ passion and care make collaborating with him a satisfying process.

“Max is by far one of the best design engineers and fabricators that I know. He is extremely detailed, extremely passionate, understanding and really great to work with," Teague said.

“We dream a lot together," he added.

Davis, who often tries to stay away from the media spotlight, said he appreciates the praise he’s received following the benches’ installation but that a love for creating is what keeps him motivated.

“We just love making things," Davis said. “We love making beautiful things and making people happy and completing visions."