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| The Oval Office |
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Wing and added today’s Oval Office, designed by Eric Gugler.
The architectural features of the Oval Office, which draw from baroque, neoclassical, and
Georgian traditions, have become symbolic of the power and prestige of the Presidency in the
minds of Americans and people across the world. There are three large south-facing windows
behind the President’s desk, as well as four doors into different parts of the West Wing. The
ceiling is adorned with an elaborate molding around the edge, and features elements of the
Seal of the President.
Presidents generally change the office to suit their personal taste, choosing new furniture,
new drapery, and designing their own oval-shaped carpet to take up most of the floor.
Paintings are selected from the White House’s own collection, or borrowed from other
museums for the President’s term in office.
The President uses the Oval Office as his primary place of work. It is positioned to provide
easy access to his staff in the West Wing and to allow him to retire easily to the White
House residence at the end of the day. The President commonly chooses the Oval Office as
the backdrop for televised addresses to the nation, and countless foreign leaders have
traveled to the office to meet with the President.
The architectural features of the Oval Office, which draw from baroque, neoclassical, and
Georgian traditions, have become symbolic of the power and prestige of the Presidency in the
minds of Americans and people across the world. There are three large south-facing windows
behind the President’s desk, as well as four doors into different parts of the West Wing. The
ceiling is adorned with an elaborate molding around the edge, and features elements of the
Seal of the President.
Presidents generally change the office to suit their personal taste, choosing new furniture,
new drapery, and designing their own oval-shaped carpet to take up most of the floor.
Paintings are selected from the White House’s own collection, or borrowed from other
museums for the President’s term in office.
The President uses the Oval Office as his primary place of work. It is positioned to provide
easy access to his staff in the West Wing and to allow him to retire easily to the White
House residence at the end of the day. The President commonly chooses the Oval Office as
the backdrop for televised addresses to the nation, and countless foreign leaders have
traveled to the office to meet with the President.
The Oval Office History
The Oval Office is the official office
of the President of the United
States.
The office was designed by the
architect Nathan C. Wyeth at the
order of President William Howard
Taft in 1909. Named for its
distinctive oval shape, the Oval
Office is part of the complex of
offices that make up the West Wing
of the White House. Badly damaged
by a fire in 1929, the office was
rebuilt by President Herbert C.
Hoover. In 1934, President Franklin
D. Roosevelt enlarged the West
The Oval Office is the official office
of the President of the United
States.
The office was designed by the
architect Nathan C. Wyeth at the
order of President William Howard
Taft in 1909. Named for its
distinctive oval shape, the Oval
Office is part of the complex of
offices that make up the West Wing
of the White House. Badly damaged
by a fire in 1929, the office was
rebuilt by President Herbert C.
Hoover. In 1934, President Franklin
D. Roosevelt enlarged the West
