The People’s House: A White House Experience, created by the White House Historical Association, is a groundbreaking educational adventure that tells the story of America’s Executive Mansion and the people dedicated to its functions. Located just one block from the White House, it opens the doors to the history of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue like never before, revealing lived White House experiences via media-driven, immersive exhibition programming.

The experience is rooted in the overarching themes of the White House as a place for governing, living, and entertaining. Each gallery is designed to encourage group learning and individual moments of discovery. Dynamic encounters allow visitors to journey through multiple centuries of White House history and explore rooms rarely accessed by the public.

A striking 1:5 scale model of the White House serves as a grand canvas for the introductory experience that traces its architectural story from 1790 to the present day. On the other side, a digitally augmented, meticulously crafted scale replica offers behind-the-scenes glimpses into 19 rooms. A choreographed multimedia program brings the White House to life, as visitors use tablets to activate various rooms and see historic and contemporary moments fill the space.

A state-of-the-art 360° Immersive Theater virtually whisks visitors away to each of the State Floor Rooms, while a recreation of the West Colonnade allows them to walk in the president’s footsteps to a full-scale replica of the Oval Office. On the Second Floor, they can meet White House Staff through a series of interactive stations, take a front row seat in a historic Cabinet Room meeting, and experience the grandeur of a State Dinner.

The People’s House is more than an exhibit; it’s an immersive journey that unveils the influential figures and pivotal moments in White House history, ensuring its story remains engaging and accessible for generations to come.

Category:EnvironmentsAward Year:2025Location: Washington, D.C., USADesign Architects:Ralph Appelbaum Associates, New York, New York, USAArchitects:GenslerDesign Team:Nick Appelbaum, Michael Maggio, Thomas Mason, Laura Epstein, Jae-eun Chung, Jenny Taing, and Jazmine JohnsonOwner’s Representative:JM Zell PartnersPhotographers:Sahar Coston-Hardy