经过九年的过程和14位可能的建筑师，约翰肯尼迪总统图书馆终于在1979年10月20日完工并投入使用。建筑师贝的标志性几何形状的混凝土，钢和玻璃创造了一个适当的庄严的纪念碑。空间与光线的并置，以及清晰的循环，创造了一个合乎逻辑的同名故事线。

After a nine year process and fourteen possible architects the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library was finally finished and dedicated on October 20, 1979. Architect I.M. Pei’s signature geometric shapes of concrete steel and glass created an appropriate stately monumentality. A juxtaposition of spaces and light quality along with a defined and lucid circulation creates a logical story line of its namesake.

1963年，时任总统约翰·F·肯尼迪(JohnF.Kennedy)以他的名义参观了一座可能的总统图书馆和博物馆。当时只有另外四个总统图书馆，而肯尼迪却在寻求一个更强大、更方便的系统。肯尼迪的宏伟计划包括庞大的档案、教育合作(在这里是他的母校哈佛)和对他的总统任期开放的政策。

In 1963, then President John F. Kennedy viewed possible sites for a presidential library and museum to be built in his name. At the time there were only four other presidential libraries and yet Kennedy sought a stronger and more accessible system. Kennedy’s grand plans included vast archives, educational collaboration (in this case his alma mater Harvard) and an open door policy to his presidency.

访问一个月后，肯尼迪总统被暗杀。活动结束后不久，由杰奎琳·肯尼迪(Jacqueline Kennedy)领导的一个委员会开始寻找建筑师。

A month after the visit President Kennedy was assassinated. Shortly after the event a committee headed by Jacqueline Kennedy began a search for architects. 

令人印象深刻的榜单包括路易·卡恩(Louis Kahn)、米斯·范德罗赫(Mies Van Der Rohe)、阿尔瓦·阿尔托(Alvar Aalto)、弗朗哥·阿尔比尼(Franco Albini)、卢西奥·科斯塔(尽管有其他建筑师的证书和名字，杰奎琳·肯尼迪看到了她选择的建筑师贝的潜力和创造力。

The impressive list included Louis Kahn, Mies van der Rohe, Alvar Aalto, Franco Albini, Llucio Costa, and five other relatively unknown architects from around the world including I.M. Pei. Despite the credentials and name recognition of the other architects Jacqueline Kennedy saw a potential and creativity in the architect she had chosen, I.M. Pei.

肯尼迪总统所选择的最初的网站在一再因程序和拖延而陷入困境后，很快就变得不切实际。一个新的网站被迅速选定在哥伦比亚点，毗邻港口校园的马萨诸塞州波士顿大学。这个充满活力的新景点拥有9.5英亩的土地，可以俯瞰波士顿港和天际线。

The original site that President Kennedy had selected quickly became unrealistic after it had been repeatedly bogged down with processes and delays. A new site was quickly selected at Columbia Point, adjacent to the Harbor Campus of the University of Massachusetts Boston. The dynamic new site boasted 9.5 acres and views of the Boston Harbor and skyline.

该结构的主体由一个奇异的、明亮的三角塔组成，它从几何形式的膨胀基础上凸出。一个由玻璃和钢铁组成的立方体与塔一起升起；空洞而神圣的它代表着在空隙上的反射。

The main body of the structure consists of a singular and brilliant triangular tower protruding from an expanding base of geometric forms. A cube of glass and steel rises along with the tower; hollowed and hallowed it represents reflection on void.

循环系统引导观众通过一个相对密集的纪念馆和档案的生活和政治生涯的已故总统。这一有限的经验之后，是一个黑暗的，但仍然相对有限的空间的剧院，在那里的居住者是一个简短的传记电影。在这些紧空间中，一种新的形式出现在所定义的路径的末尾。

A circulatory system leads the viewer through a relatively dense memorial and archive of the life and political career of the late president. This constrained experience is followed by a dark yet still relatively confined space of the theater where the occupant is shown a brief biographical film. From these tight spaces a new form emerges at the end of the defined path. 

一个大的，充气的，开放的立方体允许一段时间的反射率。肯尼迪总统把他的政治生涯奉献给了外部世界和祖国，通过简化的玻璃和钢幕布，他与外界的内在联系是实实在在的。

A large, aerated, open cube volume allows for a period of reflectance. The visceral connection with the outside world and the home state which President Kennedy dedicated his political life to is tangible through a simplified glass and steel curtain.

该图书馆在半岛尽头的庄严结构的低调而又无所不在的形式，以一种独特的方式浮在水面之上。肯尼迪总统图书馆是代表纪念碑和纪念碑的建筑存在的典范。

The understated yet omnipresent form of the library’s stately structure at the end of the peninsula rises above the water with a distinguished manner. The JFK Presidential Library exemplifies architectural presence representing both memorial and monument.