Did St Petersburg inspire White House ballroom? What US architect told Putin
US architect Rodney Cook Jr told Vladimir Putin at the SPIEF session moderated by India Today's Geeta Mohan that St Petersburg's ballrooms had influenced his work on the planned White House ballroom. The exchange added a rare note of warmth to US-Russia contact while underscoring cultural links amid wider tensions.
A warm and friendly exchange unfolded between Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior American architect Rodney Cook Jr. during a session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where the two discussed architecture, culture, and the enduring appeal of St. Petersburg.
The SPIEF session on Friday, featuring an elite panel that included Putin and attended by top dignitaries from around the world, was moderated by India Today Group Editor Geeta Mohan.
Cook, commissioner of the US Commission of Fine Arts and the architect overseeing the planned White House ballroom project, spoke fondly of St. Petersburg, describing it as one of his favourite cities and crediting its architectural heritage with influencing his work over the years.
Invited to address the audience during the session, Cook was asked whether his latest visit to St. Petersburg would leave a mark on the ballroom project in Washington. He replied that Russian architecture had long played a role in shaping his design thinking.
"I have already been inspired by St. Petersburg ballrooms in my lifetime and have done a lot of work in your cathedrals and your palaces. So the answer is yes," he said.
St. Petersburg’s imperial-era ballrooms are renowned for their grandeur and elegance. Spaces such as the Great Hall at Catherine Palace, the Armorial Hall, the Rossi Ballroom and the Kryscha Ballroom are celebrated for their gilded interiors, soaring painted ceilings and intricate parquet craftsmanship.
Their influence has extended far beyond Russia, helping shape ballroom design traditions around the world.
Reflecting on his long association with the city, Cook added, "I love the city, and I’ve been coming here for 30 years."
He also drew parallels between St. Petersburg and his hometown of Atlanta, saying the two cities shared a "great kinship."
Cook noted that Atlanta was largely destroyed during the American Civil War, while St. Petersburg suffered immense devastation during World War II during the Nazi siege.
He praised the Russian city’s resilience, saying it had overcome tragedy through “resolve and grit” while preserving its rich cultural and musical traditions.
Putin warmly acknowledged the comments, responding, "Thank you very much indeed for your kind words. They're indeed are very well taken. Thank you for the kind words that you expressed about St Petersburg".
Cook also conveyed greetings from US President Donald Trump, saying he was encouraged by developments discussed during his visit and looked forward to further conversations between officials in Washington and Moscow.
The exchange took on an especially light-hearted tone when Putin thanked Cook for the greetings and asked him to pass along a friendly message to Trump.
Jokingly referring to a previous encounter, the Russian president said, "Thank you very much for conveying greetings from Washington DC, and please convey my most welcoming remarks and the goal I scored back in a very friendly way back to President Trump."
Earlier in the discussion, Cook recalled requesting a performance of composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony during one of his visits, saying the city’s cultural legacy had helped preserve its spirit through some of history’s most difficult periods.
The conversation stood out as one of the more cordial moments at SPIEF, highlighting shared appreciation for architecture, history and culture.
Amid broader geopolitical differences, the exchange offered a reminder that personal connections and cultural dialogue can still provide common ground, with both men celebrating the enduring legacy and resilience of St. Petersburg.
A warm and friendly exchange unfolded between Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior American architect Rodney Cook Jr. during a session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where the two discussed architecture, culture, and the enduring appeal of St. Petersburg.
The SPIEF session on Friday, featuring an elite panel that included Putin and attended by top dignitaries from around the world, was moderated by India Today Group Editor Geeta Mohan.
Cook, commissioner of the US Commission of Fine Arts and the architect overseeing the planned White House ballroom project, spoke fondly of St. Petersburg, describing it as one of his favourite cities and crediting its architectural heritage with influencing his work over the years.
Invited to address the audience during the session, Cook was asked whether his latest visit to St. Petersburg would leave a mark on the ballroom project in Washington. He replied that Russian architecture had long played a role in shaping his design thinking.
"I have already been inspired by St. Petersburg ballrooms in my lifetime and have done a lot of work in your cathedrals and your palaces. So the answer is yes," he said.
St. Petersburg’s imperial-era ballrooms are renowned for their grandeur and elegance. Spaces such as the Great Hall at Catherine Palace, the Armorial Hall, the Rossi Ballroom and the Kryscha Ballroom are celebrated for their gilded interiors, soaring painted ceilings and intricate parquet craftsmanship.
Their influence has extended far beyond Russia, helping shape ballroom design traditions around the world.
Reflecting on his long association with the city, Cook added, "I love the city, and I’ve been coming here for 30 years."
He also drew parallels between St. Petersburg and his hometown of Atlanta, saying the two cities shared a "great kinship."
Cook noted that Atlanta was largely destroyed during the American Civil War, while St. Petersburg suffered immense devastation during World War II during the Nazi siege.
He praised the Russian city’s resilience, saying it had overcome tragedy through “resolve and grit” while preserving its rich cultural and musical traditions.
Putin warmly acknowledged the comments, responding, "Thank you very much indeed for your kind words. They're indeed are very well taken. Thank you for the kind words that you expressed about St Petersburg".
Cook also conveyed greetings from US President Donald Trump, saying he was encouraged by developments discussed during his visit and looked forward to further conversations between officials in Washington and Moscow.
The exchange took on an especially light-hearted tone when Putin thanked Cook for the greetings and asked him to pass along a friendly message to Trump.
Jokingly referring to a previous encounter, the Russian president said, "Thank you very much for conveying greetings from Washington DC, and please convey my most welcoming remarks and the goal I scored back in a very friendly way back to President Trump."
Earlier in the discussion, Cook recalled requesting a performance of composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony during one of his visits, saying the city’s cultural legacy had helped preserve its spirit through some of history’s most difficult periods.
The conversation stood out as one of the more cordial moments at SPIEF, highlighting shared appreciation for architecture, history and culture.
Amid broader geopolitical differences, the exchange offered a reminder that personal connections and cultural dialogue can still provide common ground, with both men celebrating the enduring legacy and resilience of St. Petersburg.
