4thMon. Program, "Form, Function, and Power: The Development of the White House's East & West Wings"

Join Professor Jean-Paul Benowitz as this illustrated lecture examines the architectural evolution of the White House’s East and West Wings as reflections of changing functional demands and expanding executive power. From their origins as modest service and office additions to their roles as highly specialized centers of governance, the wings illustrate how architecture adapts to institutional growth, security requirements, and political symbolism. Through key moments of expansion, renovation, and reconfiguration, the program explores the relationship between form, function, and authority, highlighting how incremental architectural decisions have shaped one of the most recognizable seats of power in the world. Emphasis is placed on programmatic change, historic fabric, and the ongoing challenge of balancing continuity with modernization.