Architects push back on proposed uniform design mandate for federal architecture

A proposal by the Trump Administration to create uniform designs for federal architecture has garnered opposition including from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

The proposal would dictate a specific architectural style for federal courthouses and certain other federal buildings. AIA President Jane Frederick, FAIA, and (AIA) EVP/Chief Executive Officer Robert Ivy, FAIA, issued a letter opposing the measure.

“The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is writing this letter to express its strong and unequivocal opposition to the draft executive order circulating within your Administration to mandate a federal style of architecture,” the letter says. “We always work with the communities to assess the most appropriate architecture for projects within those communities. A one-size-fits-all mandate simply ignores needed input from impacted parties.”

The order would officially designate “classical” architecture as the preferred style for all U.S. federal courthouses, all federal public buildings in the Capital region, and all other federal public buildings whose costs exceed $50 million.