The 2008 election – thanks largely to the historic run of Barack Obama – is wrapped in the expectation of renewal. The United States is now 5 months from turning away from a dark page in American history toward a new era of leadership that may revive our hopes for the Executive, the nation, and the world.
But what if the 44th President brought a change of venue too? The palatial structure on Pennsylvania Avenue originally conceived as an antithesis the King’s castle has grown bloated with extra wings and staff spilling over into ancillary office buildings. Entrances once open to the public are now – like most of Washington – ringed with barricades, security cameras and personnel.
In this season of renewal, The Storefront for Art and Architecture , in partnership with the Control Group, are sponsoring a multidisciplinary, cross-platform contest to rework and redefine the edifice for the highest office in the land.
One hopes to see more glass and open space in the coming works. That and a series of concentric ovals with the Executive placed in the center ringed by a public gallery used for question time.
A call for entries went out this past March. Winners are to be announced in September, followed by an exhibit at the Storefront.
