WHITE HOUSE REDUX: Interesting Competition

SS: This was a international competition challenging designers to rethink the design of the White House of the future...

"Home of the world's most powerful individual. Universally recognized symbol of political authority. One of America's greatest tourist attractions. Nerve-center of the world's most complex communications system. The ultimate architectural embodiment of power.
Few people realize the extent of the White House, since much of it is below ground or otherwise concealed by landscaping. The White House includes: Six stories and 55,000 square feet of floor space, 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, twenty-eight fireplaces, eight staircases, three elevators, five full-time chefs, a tennis court, a bowling alley, a movie theater, a jogging track, a swimming pool, and a putting green. It receives about 5,000 visitors a day.
The original White House design, by James Hoban, was the result of a competition held in 1792. Over the centuries, presidents have added rooms, facilities and even entire new wings, turning the White House into the labyrinthine complex it is today.
What if, instead of in 1792, that competition were to be held today? What would a White House designed in 2008, year of election of the 44th President of the United States, look like?
On occasion of the election of the 44th President of the United States of America, Storefront for Art and Architecture, in association with Control Group, challenged the world to design a new residence for the world's most powerful individual. The best ideas, selected by some of the world's most distinguished designers and critics, are going to be featured in a month-long exhibition at Storefront for Art and Architecture in October 2008. Please enter your email address to be notified of exhibit dates.On occasion of the election of the 44th President of the United States of America Storefront for Art and Architecture, in association with Control Group, challenges you to design a new residence for the world's most powerful individual. The best ideas, selected by some of the world's most distinguished designers and critics, will be featured in a month-long exhibition at Storefront for Art and Architecture in September 2008 and published in Surface magazine."


... Take a look.

Warning: I'm not sure what to think about the project/ presentation that took 1st prize. Shawn Dougherty's project, number 473, is an interesting presentation style... considering how often they push black and white in the arch studios. Awesome quote from one of Dougherty's presentation- " McCain strives to preserve America and its traditions: the rich can enjoy the bigness and beauty of this great country. while god helps the poor."

Posted projects with descriptions and images:
http://www.whitehouseredux.org/Projects?SSID=v5aoflm6c601ndoko0j15df9n2