where does most of the business of the house take place
White House
Because of crowding within the executive mansion itself , President Theodore Roosevelt had all work offices relocated to the newly constructed West Wing in 1901 . Eight years later in 1909 , President William Howard Taft expanded the West Wing and created the first Oval Office , which was eventually moved as the section was expanded . In the main mansion , the third - floor attic was converted to living quarters in 1927 by augmenting the existing hip roof with long shed dormers . A newly constructed East Wing was used as a reception area for social events ; Jefferson 's colonnades connected the new wings . East Wing alterations were completed in 1946 , creating additional office space . By 1948 , the residence 's load - bearing exterior walls and internal wood beams were found to be close to failure . Under Harry S. Truman , the interior rooms were completely dismantled and a new internal load - bearing steel frame constructed inside the walls . Once this work was completed , the interior rooms were rebuilt .
Because of crowding within the executive mansion itself , President Theodore Roosevelt had all work offices relocated to the newly constructed West Wing in 1901 . Eight years later in 1909 , President William Howard Taft expanded the West Wing and created the first Oval Office , which was eventually moved as the section was expanded . In the main mansion , the third - floor attic was converted to living quarters in 1927 by augmenting the existing hip roof with long shed dormers . A newly constructed East Wing was used as a reception area for social events ; Jefferson 's colonnades connected the new wings . East Wing alterations were completed in 1946 , creating additional office space . By 1948 , the residence 's load - bearing exterior walls and internal wood beams were found to be close to failure . Under Harry S. Truman , the interior rooms were completely dismantled and a new internal load - bearing steel frame constructed inside the walls . Once this work was completed , the interior rooms were rebuilt .