White House Design: Layout, Design, and Interesting Facts

The official residence of the President of the United States and his family, the White House is regarded as one of the most significant structures in the whole world. It is both the president’s home and office, located on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. Every year, the White House opens its doors to millions of visitors. On the other hand, only a select few know about its history and layout. 

James Hoben, an architect born in Ireland, was responsible for the White House’s design, which is in the neoclassical style. Its original construction took place between the years 1792 and 1800, but since that time, there have been various renovations to it, particularly during World War II, when the White House was set on fire.  

To compensate for a shortage of both materials and manpower, several adjustments had to be made while the building was being constructed. Originally, there were only two floors built instead of three, and some low-cost bricks were utilised for the stone façade instead of more costly ones.

The breathtaking architecture and floor arrangement of the White House have ensured that it continues to be a popular tourist destination even after many years of usage and several repairs.

White House: Interesting facts 

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• White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 floors of living space. 
• There are additionally 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, eight stairs, and three elevators in addition to the 412 doors.
• The kitchen in the White House can serve meals to up to 140 guests, while it can provide hors d’oeuvres for more than 1,000 people.
• It takes 570 gallons of paint to cover the outside of the White House. 
• The White House has been referred to as the “President’s Palace,” the “President’s House,” and the “Executive Mansion” at different points throughout American history.
• Theodore Roosevelt became the US president in 1901  and formally changed the name of the White House.

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White House: Construction

The enslaved and free African-American labourers, in addition to the employed Europeans, were responsible for constructing the foundation of the White House. The majority of the many other works were completed by immigrants. The sandstone wall that was adorned with garlands and built just above the northern gate was originally constructed by immigrants from Scotland.

After the completion of the structure, the porous sandstone walls were bleached using a mixture that included lime, casein, lead, and adhesive made from rice. 

White House: Structure

The floor plan of the White House primarily comprises three building structures: 

• Residential Building  
• The East Wing, and
• The West Wing. 

The residential building has four levels with a basement and a sub-basement where the staff and other facilities are located.

The Presidential Emergency Operations Room is just under the east wing, which is two storeys tall. The White House Situation Room and offices are located under the west wing, which is also two storeys tall.

White House: Residential Building 

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Basement and Sub-Basement

The residence has a total of four levels, including a basement and a sub-basement. The basement was built during World War II and was mostly used as storage space for various pieces of machinery and equipment. It is home to the dental practitioner’s office with a medical clinic and storage spaces.

Kitchen and Library

When the structure was opened, the kitchen was situated directly under the lobby, and the ground level was home to all of the service areas. After some time, the kitchen was moved to the northwest corner of the building, and the space that had previously served as the kitchen was converted into offices for the White House Curator and the United States Secret Service. 

Rooms off to the east of the kitchen were switched to pantry and meat storage. Before 1935, the space was used as a storage area, but it was converted into a library. Jacqueline Kennedy, the first lady, collaborated with architect Lenygon to create the Federalist-style White House Library. There have been no changes to the library throughout the years.

Diplomatic Reception Room

In 1837, the room with the oval shape was transformed into a furnace room from its previous use as the servant’s hall. It was transformed into a sitting room for President Roosevelt the next year, in 1902. Following the conclusion of World War II, it was transformed into a chamber for diplomatic receptions. After then, the National Society of Interior Designers made a significant contribution, in the form of a donation, toward the cost of furnishing the space, which has remained unchanged ever since.

The Map Room

Since it was first constructed, the Map room has undergone many revisions. It had been the Steward’s Office at one point, but later it was transformed into a powder room exclusively for the women. In later years, it was remodelled into a parlour for playing billiards. 

During World War II, it was transformed into the Map room, a place where important choices about the military were deliberated and debated. After then, Jacqueline Kennedy turned it into a powder room once again, yet, it has kept the name of the map room during all of these years. After then, it was transformed into a welcome area while it kept its previous designation.

State Floor

The Dining Room, the East Room, and the Entrance Hall could all be found on the State floor. The antiques that were brought back by the Clark and Lewis Expedition are displayed in the Entrance Hall. They provide an air of majesty to the assembly hall thanks to their presence there.

Red, Green, and Blue Room

• The Red Room has historically been used as a parlour or sitting room, and in more recent times, it has been used for hosting exclusive small dinner parties for the president.
• The White House’s official reception area, known as the Green Room, can be found on the ground level. There are two different hypotheses about the origin of the term “The Green Room.” Former President John Adams referred to it as the “Green Drawing Room,” and former President Thomas Jefferson shielded the floor from damage by covering it with a green canvas.
• Located in the middle of the Executive Residence’s southern half, the blue room hosts important guests. It plays host to important guests such as heads of state, ambassadors, and the like.

Other Rooms

Aside from this area, the Chief Usher’s Office, the State Dining Room, and the Family Dining Room can be seen on the first floor. 

Second Floor

The second floor is where private living quarters, as well as the recreational space, are located. It is where the family’s bedrooms, living rooms, and sitting rooms are located inside the house. This level is home to many noteworthy rooms, including the Queen’s Bedroom, Lincoln’s Bedroom, the Yellow Oval Room, and the Treaty Room.

Treaty Room

The original plan was for the space to serve as an additional bedroom. On the other hand, it was agreed that it might be a location where individuals could meet with the president. To make the study or sitting room more suited to the president’s preferences throughout the years, it was constantly updated and rearranged.

Yellow Oval Room

The Yellow Oval Space, which is at the top of the oval rooms, is often used as a study or an unofficial gathering room. In more recent times, it has been converted into a family room as well as a welcome area for important guests.

The Third Floor

The third floor of the Residential complex originally functioned more like an attic than anything else. In subsequent years, however, it was enlarged to include a total of 20 guest rooms and nine bathrooms named after President Jefferson. Previously, it served as accommodation for the staff, but now that there is no longer any staff that lives in the White House, the rooms have been repurposed for usage by the first families in a variety of ways. Some of them built an exercise room, some a music room, while others still built family rooms and other spaces. Additionally, there is a solarium and a dry bar located on this level. 

White House’s East Wing: Office space for the first lady and her staff 

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• The layout of the East Wing was created with big gatherings in mind. The availability of parking for automobiles and carriages had a major role. Because there was a cloakroom there, it was also used as an entrance.
• After World War II, the coatroom was converted into a cinema theatre, with numerous important businesses, such as calligraphers and a social secretary, establishing themselves inside. There is also the Presidential Emergency Operations Center there.
• The offices of the first lady and her staff have been located in the East Wing of the White House since 1977. The first lady’s social secretaries help her with things like sending out invites and handling communications. In addition, there is a family theatre, garden room, and visitor’s foyer.

White House’s West Wing: Office of the President & his staff

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• With the President’s Office and other key administrative offices located there, the West Wing of the White House is now widely regarded as one of the most crucial parts of the building.
• The Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the Situation Room, and the Roosevelt Room are all located in the West Wing of the White House.
• When it was constructed, the floor design for the West Wing of the White House did not offer many functions except storing conservatories, greenhouses, and stables.  
• It was severely damaged in a fire that broke out in the West Wing in 1929, and after that, it was used as a storage room and housed clothing lines. 
• The conservatories were removed during the building’s remodelling by President Theodore Roosevelt, who eventually constructed the Oval Office there.
• To provide more privacy for the Oval Office, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the decision to relocate it next to the Rose Garden and build a second storey on the west wing. In addition to the Press Room, a gallery and a swimming pool were also included in the expansion.

White House Tours 

Requests for tours of the White House must be received at least 21 days and no more than 90 days before the desired tour date (s). Tours are normally offered between 8:00 AM and 12:30 PM from Tuesday to Friday, excepting federal holidays or unless otherwise specified. When the White House tour is booked, you will be given a set time slot. Every tour of the White House is totally free. When bad weather or government functions require it, the White House may unexpectedly cancel tours. 

Before you go

• The tours are self-guided and generally run for about forty-five minutes.
• Dress appropriately for the weather, keeping in mind that you will be spending some time outdoors before your tour.
• Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of the start time of your tour.
• There is a zero-tolerance policy for late arrivals.
• Every attendee is required to pre-register using the RSVP link that will be issued by the White House.
• During the tour, you will be asked to put your mobile phone on silent and abstain from making or taking calls.
• You are not allowed to use flash photography or shoot video in any way.
• Visitors can get the most recent information and updates on White House tours by calling the Visitors Office information line, which is available around the clock at 202-456-7041.

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