Oval Office, Presidential study in West Wing, Washington, D.C., United States
The Oval Office is the working study of the president located in the West Wing of the White House, distinguished by its oval floor plan. Large south-facing windows, built-in bookcases along the western walls, and a fireplace at the northern end define the interior space.
William Howard Taft established this workspace in 1909 after selecting architect Nathan C. Wyeth through a design competition for the West Wing expansion. A fire in 1929 led to major renovations that largely determined the current structure and layout of the room.
Each president selects personal items and decorations that reflect their values and vision during their time in office. Visitors on tours can see how these choices communicate different leadership styles and priorities through furniture, artworks, and symbolic objects placed throughout the room.
Public access is extremely limited and available only through special arranged tours that require advance coordination with congressional offices. Visitors who gain entry typically view the space from designated positions rather than moving freely throughout the room.
The design draws inspiration from the curved walls of the Blue Room, which George Washington used for formal receptions in Philadelphia. This oval shape was meant to symbolize democratic accessibility, as no person could occupy a more prominent position in the space than another.
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