Where: The new capital city was sited on land ceded by two states-Virginia and Maryland-which had both transferred ownership of the land to the federal government. The commissioners were charged by Congress with building the new city and executive mansion, under the direction of the President.

When: The cornerstone of the White House was laid on October 13, 1792. It was to be the first newly constructed building of the new capital, which had been laid out in a diamond-shaped grid measuring 10 miles on each side, totalling 100 square miles.

Who: The architect of the White House was chosen in a competition, which received nine proposals. President Washington travelled to the site of the new federal city on July 16, 1792 to make his judgment. His review is recorded as being brief and he quickly selected the submission of James Hoban, an Irishman living in Charlestown, South Carolina.

Why: Washington felt that the new nation needed an executive mansion of suitable size and status. He was not entirely pleased with the original Hoban submission. He found it too small, lacking ornament, and not fitting the nation's president. On Washington's recommendation the house was enlarged by thirty percent, and a large reception hall, the present East Room, was added.

He'd have been pleased with the present configuration of the executive mansion, which has grown larger over the centuries. It now contains 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, and 6 levels to accommodate all the people who live in, work in, and visit the White House. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 7 staircases, and 3 elevators.

For recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to its residents, including a tennis court, a jogging track, swimming pool, movie theatre, billiard room, and a bowling lane.

What: The porous sandstone walls were coated with a mixture of rice glue, casein, and lead, giving the house its familiar colour and name. The White House now requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface. The White House broke with all American precedents not only because of its great scale, but also because of the richness of the stone carving. President Washington overrode the opinions of Thomas Jefferson and the city commissioners to make this house stone instead of brick. The elegant swags of oak leaves and flowers, the window hoods, the lofty pilasters, and the charming motif of cabbages roses were all executed to suit Washington's taste. The familiar image of the White House, a distant view with porticoes, does not include details of the stone carving, and even those who visit often miss them.

How: The foundations were also built by slave labour. Much of the other work on the house was performed by immigrants, many not yet with citizenship. The sandstone walls were erected by Scottish immigrants, as were the high relief rose and garland decorations above the north entrance and the "fish scale" pattern beneath the pediments of the window hoods. Much of the brick and plaster work was produced by Irish and Italian immigrants.

What and how does the White House communicate with its 'audience?'

The White House and indeed the architecture of all federal buildings in the new capital, were much influenced by European neo-classicism. We should remember that it was modelled on a Ducal residence, and was originally called variously the 'president's castle' or 'president's palace.' Clearly it was meant to send a 'message' back to Georgian England, suggesting that the struggling colonies were now a force to be reckoned with. George III is usually called the monarch who lost the American colonies. Washington was showing him that a new George now had the power.