US architect credits St Petersburg's grandeur for White House ballroom design

A cordial exchange between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American architect Rodney Cook Jr. at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum highlighted cultural ties amid broader US-Russia tensions. Speaking during a session moderated by Geeta Mohan, Cook said St. Petersburg’s famed ballrooms, cathedrals and palaces had long influenced his architectural work, including the planned White House ballroom project. Calling St. Petersburg one of his favourite cities, Cook noted he had visited for 30 years and drew parallels between the city and his hometown of Atlanta, citing their histories of wartime devastation and rebuilding.