Letter
Dear Mr. Fisher:
In its public meeting of 22 January conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts was pleased to hear an information presentation for a new addition to the White House, replacing the East Wing, to accommodate a ballroom and other official uses. The Commission expressed overall support for the project and provided the following comments.
In their discussion, the Commission members characterized the project as important for the President and for the nation. They endorsed the purpose of a large ballroom at the White House, noting ongoing interest since the late nineteenth century to expand the capacity of the President’s House to host official functions; they agreed that the current use of tents in the lawn for many events is inappropriate. Citing the historic and architectural significance of the White House, they emphasized that any addition to the complex should be beautiful, and they supported a stylistic treatment of the addition to be compatible with the Federal-era Neoclassical style of the Residence.
In their support of the overall proposal, the Commission members raised questions about issues of security, particularly concerning the openness, visibility, and elevated position of the outdoor terraces adjacent to the ballroom, which would extend considerably toward public areas. In general, they commented on the large scale of the addition, whose apparent height increases on the east and south sides due to the sloping site; however, they observed that it would be less overwhelming as seen from Pennsylvania Avenue on the north. On the south elevation, they noted the immense size of the ten-column pedimented portico proposed, which they said should be considered particularly in relation to the Treasury Building to the east.
In conclusion, the Commission members requested more informative views showing the addition in the context of the White House Grounds, and a physical model of the entire site that includes the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and the Treasury Building, with the intent of presenting to the Commission in person at its next meeting. They also requested more information about the addition of another level to the existing one-story connecting hyphen on the west side of the Residence, as well as any proposed expansion of the West Wing.
The Commission looks forward to reviewing a concept design for this nationally significant project. Please coordinate the next submission with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Joshua Fisher, Assistant to the President
Director, Office of Management and Administration
Executive Office of the President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
cc: John Stanwich, National Park Service
Shalom Baranes, Shalom Baranes Associates
Marcel Acosta, National Capital Planning Commission