Focus on the BIG picture.
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2026
Outside the box.
Trump Appoints New Architect to Advance Expansive White House Ballroom Project
Shalom Baranes takes over design leadership as the administration accelerates plans for a major East Wing expansion
President Donald Trump has selected architect Shalom Baranes to assume leadership of the White House ballroom project, a major expansion intended to create a grand new venue for state functions and high-level ceremonial events.
The appointment follows the administration’s decision to shift away from earlier design plans after disagreements over scale and vision, as Trump continues to advance one of the most significant structural additions proposed for the presidential residence in decades.
The project, which requires the reconstruction of part of the East Wing, has grown in both ambition and scope since its initial announcement.
Early design concepts envisioned a refined, traditionally styled venue accommodating several hundred guests.
Subsequent iterations expanded the ballroom’s footprint substantially, aiming to support larger gatherings and provide the White House with a modern facility capable of hosting state visits, official receptions and major national celebrations.
Baranes, known in Washington for guiding complex federal and civic architectural projects, is expected to deliver a design more closely aligned with the administration’s goals for functionality, scale and visual prominence.
Officials said the choice reflects Trump’s determination to ensure the ballroom meets both operational needs and ceremonial expectations, reinforcing the White House’s role as a central stage for national leadership.
The administration is preparing updated plans for submission to federal planning authorities, a required step before construction can advance.
Despite regulatory reviews and calls from preservation advocates for careful oversight, White House officials maintain that the project will strengthen the historic campus while enhancing its capacity for diplomacy, celebration and public engagement.
With Baranes now at the helm, the ballroom initiative proceeds with renewed momentum and a clearer architectural direction, underscoring the president’s commitment to leave a lasting imprint on the nation’s most iconic residence.
The appointment follows the administration’s decision to shift away from earlier design plans after disagreements over scale and vision, as Trump continues to advance one of the most significant structural additions proposed for the presidential residence in decades.
The project, which requires the reconstruction of part of the East Wing, has grown in both ambition and scope since its initial announcement.
Early design concepts envisioned a refined, traditionally styled venue accommodating several hundred guests.
Subsequent iterations expanded the ballroom’s footprint substantially, aiming to support larger gatherings and provide the White House with a modern facility capable of hosting state visits, official receptions and major national celebrations.
Baranes, known in Washington for guiding complex federal and civic architectural projects, is expected to deliver a design more closely aligned with the administration’s goals for functionality, scale and visual prominence.
Officials said the choice reflects Trump’s determination to ensure the ballroom meets both operational needs and ceremonial expectations, reinforcing the White House’s role as a central stage for national leadership.
The administration is preparing updated plans for submission to federal planning authorities, a required step before construction can advance.
Despite regulatory reviews and calls from preservation advocates for careful oversight, White House officials maintain that the project will strengthen the historic campus while enhancing its capacity for diplomacy, celebration and public engagement.
With Baranes now at the helm, the ballroom initiative proceeds with renewed momentum and a clearer architectural direction, underscoring the president’s commitment to leave a lasting imprint on the nation’s most iconic residence.
