White House, Presidential residence and office in Northwest Washington DC, United States.
The White House is the official residence of the American president in Washington and comprises a sandstone structure with 132 rooms across six floors above ground and two basement levels, where living quarters and administrative offices are separated by a central corridor. Rooms arrange themselves around a middle hallway that divides public reception spaces from private family areas.
Architect James Hoban designed the neoclassical building constructed between 1792 and 1800 under President Washington's supervision. After British troops set fire to it in 1814, reconstruction directed by Hoban finished in 1817, creating the signature white exterior coating.
The presidential residence serves as a workplace and receives foreign heads of state during official occasions when ceremonies shape relationships between nations. Visitors experience the formal atmosphere of these reception rooms while the building remains deeply rooted in American public consciousness.
Tours must be requested through congressional representatives at least 21 days in advance and take place only on Friday and Saturday mornings. Visitors undergo security screening and cannot bring bags larger than 8 by 6 by 4 inches (20 by 15 by 10 centimeters), cameras with detachable lenses, or food items.
Underground tunnels link the building to nearby government structures and allow secure staff movement between locations. President Truman added a second floor balcony in 1948 despite public criticism, while solar panels installed during the Obama administration generate electricity for heating water throughout the complex.
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