Executive Order
Home > Executive Order
Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again
AI Summary:
This is a policy document, specifically an Executive Order issued by the President regarding federal architecture.
This regulation establishes new guidelines for the design of federal public buildings, emphasizing classical and traditional architectural styles as the preferred approach. The order defines "applicable Federal public buildings" as courthouses, agency headquarters, buildings in the National Capital Region, and projects costing over $50 million. It mandates that federal buildings should inspire, beautify public spaces, and command public respect, with classical architecture being the default style in Washington, D.C. The General Services Administration (GSA) is instructed to update its policies, prioritize architects with experience in classical and traditional design, and create a senior advisor position for architectural design. When proposing non-traditional designs, GSA must undergo a detailed review process, including notifying the President and providing comprehensive justifications. The order also provides detailed definitions of architectural styles like brutalist and classical architecture, and establishes guiding principles that emphasize designs reflecting American government values, regional architectural traditions, and public preferences. The document aims to shift federal architectural design away from modernist and brutalist styles towards more traditional and regionally inspired approaches.
Date:
09/03/2025