Last February, AIA members sent more than 11,400 letters to the White House condemning the mandated designation of “classical” architecture as the preferred style for all federal courthouses, all federal public buildings in the Capital region, and all other federal public buildings with an anticipated cost exceeding $50 million. Additionally, on February 6 and February 20, AIA leadership issued letters to the Trump administration strongly opposing the proposed order.
Our team has stayed connected to this issue, and AIA recently received confirmation from White House staff that the administration may soon release the executive order as a final order. In anticipation of a final order, on July 13, 2020, Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-1) introduced the “Democracy in Design Act” (H.R. 7604).
This legislation would override the executive order by directing “the Administrator of General Services to ensure that the construction and acquisition of public buildings in the United States adhere to the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture.” These guidelines, developed in 1962, establish a framework for design excellence driven by the unique conditions of each locale.
Congress has the power to ensure this executive order never takes effect – it is critical that we show our support for this legislation. Please contact your Member of Congress NOW and ask them to co-sponsor the “Democracy in Design Act” to stop this one-size-fits-all federal mandate on design