Hi Everyone,
I was all set to continue with the renovation shopping list (here it is, if you missed part 1), but just now, I happened to see this on my Instagram.
It’s an announcement that a vote will be taking place regarding the New White House Ballroom extension.
Many of you will recall that last October, I wrote two blog posts concerning the sudden demolition and the proposed new structure. (They will be linked to shortly.)
Soooo, if any of you would like to submit your own comment to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), you have until
March 4th NOON ET – get it in. Sorry for the short notice; however, at least I found out before it’s too late.
Below is my Comment to the commission.
If this is important to you, I’ll be including the links to where you can send in your own comments. If you’d like to use my statement as a base, please feel free to do so.
***
Dear Members of the NCPC,
I am a classical interior designer based in Boston, Massachusetts, with more than thirty years of experience working with historically informed classical architecture and interiors. To begin, I would also like to thank the Commission for the careful attention you are giving to this important matter concerning the White House. As you know, it is one of the most historically significant examples of classical architecture in the United States.
I was deeply concerned by the demolition of the existing East Wing without meaningful oversight, and even more troubled by the currently proposed design for the new ballroom addition. It appears to be dramatically out of scale with the existing architecture and the historic character of the White House.
Last October, I wrote two detailed articles for my interior design blog examining the proposal and the broader historical context of the White House.
These posts include historical research as well as my own conceptual alternative that respects the classical principles on which the building was founded:
The White House Ballroom– Good Idea or a Colossal Mistake? (blog post #1)
The Irreplaceable Loss of JKO garden and EW of the White House (blog post #2)
In my research, I also revisited Caroline Harrison’s late 19th-century proposals for improving the White House grounds.
Below is the plan view for the bottom elevation, above.
While her ideas were ambitious, they point toward a more thoughtful approach to expansion than the oversized ballroom currently under consideration.
It is my understanding that the West Wing is also insufficient for modern needs. In response, I developed a schematic plan (attached as a PDF and shown in the first article) proposing two balanced auxiliary wings. Each would maintain a footprint no larger than the White House itself and would be architecturally complementary to the original structure.
In response, I developed a schematic plan (attached as a PDF and shown in the first blog post) proposing two balanced auxiliary wings.
Each would maintain a footprint no larger than the White House itself and would be architecturally complementary to the original structure. I hope the Commission will take a moment to review the attached plan, as it illustrates how additional capacity could be achieved while preserving the historic proportions of the White House complex.
This approach preserves the essential axial relationships of the site, including the important sightlines toward the Capitol.
The three circular forms shown on the South Lawn are symbolic of the three branches of government while also referencing the central White House and its two flanking wings. The design also incorporates a large circular terrace and fountain. This could be used for outdoor events, with or without a tent.
One question that deserves careful consideration is the actual programmatic need for such a large ballroom.
Aside from inaugurations, are there events that genuinely require seating for more than 500 guests? My research indicates that state dinners in recent decades have typically been smaller than that. If there is no practical need for a 1,000-seat banquet hall, it is difficult to justify constructing one.
Beyond questions of scale and function, there are also practical concerns. A room of this magnitude raises significant issues of acoustics and usability. If such a space is frequently only partially occupied, it risks becoming uncomfortable for the guests. Professional acoustic design would be essential.
Most importantly, from an architectural standpoint, the current proposal fails to respect the principles of classical design that define the White House itself.
Classical architecture is fundamentally rooted in proportion—relationships derived from nature and often expressed through mathematical ratios such as the golden mean (1.618). When these principles are ignored, the result inevitably feels discordant with the historic structure it is meant to complement.
By contrast, a thoughtful design developed by a classically trained architectural firm—one that respects proportion, scale, and historical context—could produce an addition worthy of the White House and capable of enduring for centuries.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Laurel Bern
Boston, Massachusetts
***
However, please be sure to view their fantastic webinar that explains the issues very clearly. (It’s below) I am heartened that the commission mirrors my concerns. However, I also learned some new things, such as that the proposed connecting hallway does not go to the ballroom as it was stated earlier.
The ceiling heights on all floors are absurdly high. The ballroom is 23 feet high. The 12,000 square foot KITCHEN has a ceiling height of 14 feet. Classical or not, those numbers do not make any sense.
The website to make public comments is here.
If you’d like to virtually attend the meeting, it can be viewed here on March 5, 2026. https://www.ncpc.gov/live/
Thanks, guys. I think the commission is on the right track, and I am grateful for their careful oversight of our treasured building.
xo,
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16 Responses
One More Thing. Several years ago my husband and I along with our young teenage son were given a tour of the State Departments Collection of historical furniture. I don’t recall why we were given that privilege, but I was overwhelmed and and incredibly appreciative for the opportunity. My husband and young son, not so much! However, they were very tolerant and patient and actually ended up really enjoying the tour, asking many interesting, pertinent questions that I hadn’t thought of. That was well before security needed to be so strict, so perhaps that is no longer allowed.
Laurel, Laurel, Laurel!!! Of course there were no events at the White House that required seating for more than 500 people!!! They haven’t had the space for events holding more than 500 people. Large events are held in huge white tents. Everyone’s idea of elegant design! befitting of one of the wealthiest nations in the world!! That is precisely the reason this administration is requesting a ballroom large enough so they can hold large state events at the White House inside an actual building. Hopefully, it will be one of good, classical design that complements the present buildings on the grounds. Actually, as a country we can not afford it, but that doesn’t appear to part of the criteria for any of our expenditures, so why start now?
I am no designer, but I like that the public was consulted.
You note that most functions in the East Wing were for gatherings of 500 or fewer. Partly that is because of the size of the East Room. I believe every president in recent years has lamented the East Room is too small to accommodate all who should be invited to state dinners, where dancing is included. President Obama chaffed at a state dinner that had to be held outdoor under a tent with a dance floor included. Rain and wind forced guests to scurry and the evening to end in confusion. President Trump has pledged that all new government buildings will be in the classical style rather than the brutalist styles of recent years. That suggests his focus is right, even if some of his choices seem out of keeping with that the simplicity of that focus. Perhaps you could also address a letter to him directly regarding the East Room you envision.
Given the atrocious Obama Library, I personally think this President should be encouraged in his desire to see a city with more buildings in the classical mode. We’ve had no president in recent years who seemed to care.
Regardless of the layout of the room, its walls will likely sprout gold medallions. But such things can always be removed in time. A new, larger room capable of providing for more guests and for assuring adequate space for guests’ dancing is, in my view, a good thing. That it is costing taxpayers nothing is a bonus. Your suggestion would blend the room into the lawn in a way that has not been done in the past and that is beautiful.Thank you for caring enough not merely to complain, but to submit good design!
Laurel, I got to this too late to make a comment (darn!) but I did watch the webinar and I think they took your comments to heart. Wouldn’t it be something if it all ended up looking very much (or even exactly!) like your plan? I love Caroline Harrison’s plan too – mostly because of that conservatory (I’m a gardener). Hopefully common sense will prevail – I do intend to listen online to the meeting tomorrow.
Thank you for the opportunity to concur with your
letter and schematics to the Members of the NCPC.
As Board Chair of our Trumbull County Historical Society I am
well aware of the importance of improving our future quality of life
through thoughtful planning based on architectural and historical
research. You don’t know where you are going without understanding
where you have been.
Laurel,
Thank you for staying on top of this project and alerting us of the opportunity to submit comments. I put in my two cents worth, although I doubt it will make any difference, at least I can feel like I tried. I think your proposal has so much merit. It is based on sound architectural design and would make the White House an even grander place. I was heartbroken when the East Wing was demolished. It seems like they plowed ahead with no plan just to force the idea. I begged them to scale down the size and to keep the Neoclassical design so it fits with the rest of the White House and to strongly consider your recommendations. Thank you for all the research and effort you put into your proposal. I think they have forgotten that the White House is OUR house and we all care about it.
Thanks for this post. I have used some of your information and some from the video to write my comment.
I submitted my comment to the NCPC East Wing committee! Plugging for you Laurel!
Just got home from New Zealand tonight and read your post so the first thing I did was I went to the website and I commented. Thank you for making me aware of this. ( highlighting a lot of the same concerns you have.)
That is great, Martha. This is why I sent out this post– for those who are interested. And welcome back! That is a long trip!
Oh, Laurel, it would be amazing if you became a consultant for the design! What a prescient idea this is … I always seem too hear too late to make a difference. I doubt I can speak as succinctly or knowledgeable, but I will be praying for wisdom as they make a decision. Thank you for this excellent letter and timely post!
Hi Gabrielle,
I would love that, however, I doubt they would consider me. They need someone like Gil Schafer. Oh, be still my heart! He would do a magnificent job! However, any of these guys would also and of course, there are many others.
Would you consider your letter with your followers signing on, with their address? Often done for important issues.
Sure, that would be fine, Beverly.
Thanks so much for sharing all this information with us and with the commission. I too will review it all first thing in the morning and send them my comments as well (that are likely to sounds very similar to yours.) 😉
You are amazing! I will read through this first thing tomorrow morning and also send feedback as another concerned citizen.