A new executive order issued Aug. 28—Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again—establishes classical architecture as the “preferred and default” style for new federal buildings. It requires that the President be notified 30 days in advance if government officials plan to approve a design influenced by brutalist or deconstructive architecture.
“Applicable Federal public buildings should uplift and beautify public spaces, inspire the human spirit, ennoble the United States, and command respect from the general public,” the order said. “They should also be visually identifiable as civic buildings and, as appropriate, respect regional architectural heritage.”
Federal buildings impacted by the executive order include all federal courthouses and agency headquarters, all federal public buildings in the National Capital Region; and all other federal public buildings that cost or are expected to cost more than $50 million in 2025 dollars to design, build, and finish. This last category does not include infrastructure projects or land ports of entry.
The executive order updates the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, passed in 1962. It also follows a previous executive order regarding architecture passed in December 2020, near the end of Trump’s first term, according to The Architect’s Newspaper.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) opposes the executive order, saying it “would replace thoughtful design processes with rigid requirements that will limit architectural choice” and remove local input from the process entirely, according to a statement it issued Sept. 2.
“Each era of America’s architectural legacy has honored the past while addressing contemporary needs through diverse design solutions,” the AIA said in the statement. “Restricting federal architecture options to styles from antiquity ignores this natural evolution and limits our freedom to create buildings that truly serve modern communities.”
The organization is urging the Trump administration to rescind the executive order and instead strengthen and update the GSA’s Guiding Principles.
“Federal buildings should reflect the community and regional character while maintaining high design standards,” the AIA said. “America deserves federal buildings that inspire and serve our communities through excellent design that respects both our heritage and our future. Local input must remain central to federal building design decisions, allowing communities the freedom to shape structures that will serve them for generations.”
What are other organizations saying? Check out this commentary from our sister brand, i+s, to learn more!
