A coalition of 29 architects has called on Shalom Baranes Associates, the new designer for President Trump’s White House East Wing ballroom, to reject the commission or face potential penalties from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The Architect’s Newspaper reports Shalom Baranes Associates replaced James McCrery, who stepped down as the project’s original architect in October. The 29 architects, who identified as members of the “American Architectural Historic Preservation Community,” sent a letter to Shalom Baranes Associates stating the commission should be refused because the East Wing’s demolition happened without any public input, the proposed ballroom is bigger than the White House mansion and West Wing combined and would through the complex’s stature out of whack, and the manner in which the commission was awarded represented a break with professional protocol.
“We respectfully request that [you do] what you know is right and decline this commission,” the signatories wrote. “We wanted to give you the chance to explain your actions and/or inactions relating to this matter before pursuing any formal Ethical Complaints. Your immediate attention to this matter is hereby requested and appreciated.”
The “Ethical Complaints” in question refer to the AIA’s Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct. Shalom Baranes, the firm’s founder, is an AIA member and the signatories warned that he could face “admonition, censure, suspension,” or “termination of AIA membership.” The architects calling for the rejection of the commission were not acting in an official AIA capacity.
Shalom Baranes Associates did not comment on the letter.
