To the Editor:
Re “Trump’s Plan for White House Upends a Vision of Symmetry” (news article, March 7):
I appreciate your developing a 3-D model to illustrate the unprecedented architectural damage of the proposed ballroom addition to the White House.
I do not want to reiterate the obvious criticism of the unfortunate proposed design, but instead offer an alternative design approach that may satisfy President Trump’s need for BIG and retain the original architectural integrity.
As an architect, I did a project in D.C. for the International Monetary Fund and learned that because of height limits and the cost of land in the district, the space below the ground is so valuable that many buildings in the district have multiple basement levels.
I therefore suggest that the new ballroom be underground. It would be more secure, cost less and allow the rebuilding of an East Wing more consistent with the original architecture. It would house the main entrance to the ballroom and other functions and offices needing ground access. With current lighting and projection technologies, the underground ballroom could replicate the aboveground plan.
Jim McGillin Galena, Md.
To the Editor:
This gaudy, appalling proposed addition is President Trump’s distorted interpretation of classical. It is a disproportionate Parthenon-like temple built for him that no doubt he’ll want to put his name on. He cannot understand that he is a tenant in this historical home that is owned by the American people and stewarded by the National Park Service.
Unfortunately the East Wing was not protected. As to construction, Mr. Trump stacked the Commission of Fine Arts with acquiescent members who are solely on a path to approve this design. Any money collected for this folly should be used to reconstruct the East Wing.
Helene Berinsky Wakefield, R.I.
To the Editor:
Looking at the design plans for the new East Wing, you couldn’t find a better visual about the income inequality in this country.
On one side you have the People’s House, which everyday people can visit after registering for a tour. On the other side at the East Wing, you’ll have an oversize opulent ballroom that will be used to entertain the rich and foreign heads of state.
Bonnie Chalek Hackensack, N.J.
To the Editor:
The design for the White House with the ballroom added is perfectly proportionate. The West Wing represents America. The East Wing represents the president’s ego.
Michael Kanarek Philadelphia
Trust the Pediatrician
To the Editor:
Re “Pediatricians Navigate a Sea of Vaccine Misinformation” (news article, March 14):
During our 11-year-old son’s recent annual wellness visit, my wife and I discussed many health topics with his pediatrician. Over 45 minutes during and after his exam, we covered nutrition, physical activity, sleep, screen time, vision and hearing, car safety and teeth brushing.
We had time for all those topics because the vaccines portion of the visit was very quick. I asked if he was due for any. She said yes: meningitis and Tdap. A nurse came in and gave him the shots. We left.
The short amount of time we spent on vaccines doesn’t mean we haven’t thought carefully about them. As I told my son on the way home, those two shots were the best thing we did for his health that day.
Instead, it reflects trust: trust in scientists who created the vaccines, medical researchers who approve and recommend them and pediatricians who care so deeply about kids.
If I want to create a brand, I’ll follow an influencer. For my son’s health, I’ll listen to his doctor.
Adam Zimmerman Rockville, Md.
Troops, Not Boots
To the Editor:
Could we please stop talking about “boots on the ground”? What we mean is ground troops: men and women risking their lives to carry out the orders of their superiors in a poorly thought-out war of choice. It is demeaning to reduce these brave people to footwear.
Paul Linnehan East Hampton, N.Y.
The post Trump’s Ballroom: Put It Underground? appeared first on New York Times.
