Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025
Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2025 aims to standardize how the federal government designs and renovates its public buildings. It establishes guiding principles prioritizing classical and traditional architectural styles, regional architectural heritage, and public input, with a preference for buildings that visually project dignity and stability. The bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to implement these principles, ensure architects involved have relevant training or experience in classical/traditional design, and incorporate design competitions and expert advice. It also introduces a process to consider redesigns for existing buildings that don’t meet the new criteria and requires annual reporting to Congress on the act’s implementation. Key features include a defined set of “applicable federal public buildings” (such as federal courthouses and agency headquarters with design/finish costs over $50 million in 2025 dollars, located in the National Capital region or elsewhere), a preference for classical/traditional architecture (with explicit DC default to classical unless exceptional factors apply), and a formal notification process if a proposed design diverges from the preferred architecture, including cost justifications and comparisons to preferred-design options.
Key Points
- 1Guiding Principles and policy goals: The act directs federal buildings to uplift public spaces, inspire, ennobly the United States, be visually identifiable as civic, and (when appropriate) respect regional architectural heritage. It prioritizes public input in design and favors classical/traditional architectural styles as the default, especially in Washington, DC, unless exceptional factors require another approach.
- 2Scope and definitions: Defines “applicable federal public buildings” (courthouses, agency HQs, National Capital region buildings, and any other public building with design/finish costs over $50 million in 2025 dollars; excludes infrastructure projects and land ports of entry). It also defines terms like classical/traditional architecture, Brutalist/Deconstructivist styles, and what constitutes the general public.
- 3Guiding Principles for federal architecture: Requires architectural design to flow from government needs and public preferences, with emphasis on architectural excellence, regional design considerations, incorporation of living American artists where appropriate, sound construction, and accessibility. Encourages design competitions and expert input from classical/traditional architects.
- 4GSA implementation and staffing: The Administrator must implement the policy, update procedures, and ensure staff have formal training or significant experience with classical/traditional architecture. Establishes a Senior Advisor for Architectural Design to guide standards and design evaluations, and gives weight to classical/traditional experience in design-build selection processes.
- 5Design competitions and procurement: When applicable, the act requires active recruitment of architectural firms and designers with relevant traditional/classical experience and supports presenting multiple design modes to the final evaluation round.
- 6Divergence notification and cost comparisons: If a proposed design diverges from the preferred architecture (including Brutalist/Deconstructivist styles), the Administrator must notify the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy at least 30 days before any decision to reject a design would incur substantial expenditures. The notice must justify the choice with cost analyses, and compare to costs of designs using preferred architecture.
- 7Annual reporting: The Administrator must annually report to Congress on adherence to the policy and Guiding Principles, providing details on implementation.