Obama Presidential Center breaks silence over controversial building design

Obama Foundation Deputy Director Kim Patterson said the design of the building was a specific choice, including its lack of windows.

"The shape of the building was actually meant to mimic four hands coming together to show the importance of our collective action," Patterson said.

Despite the criticism, Patterson told CBS that local input has played an important role in the project. She described community objections to the location of the parking garage.

"If the parking garage was here, it could possibly block sunlight coming to their area, their gardens," Patterson said.

She explained that the Obama Foundation instead decided to build the garage underground.