Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture
Executive Order 13967, Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture, directs the federal government to emphasize classical and traditional architectural styles for applicable federal public buildings, with a strong preference for such designs in the District of Columbia. It rejects the prior move toward certain modernist styles as the default and seeks to re-center beauty, dignity, and public identity in federal architecture. The order creates a temporary President’s Council on Improving Federal Civic Architecture to advise on policy updates, design reviews, and public input, and it requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to adhere to these policies and to justify any approved designs that diverge from the preferred architectural approach, including cost and alternative options. The policy is intended to be implemented within existing law and appropriations, and it explicitly notes that the order does not create new legal rights. Key elements include a defined group of “applicable Federal public buildings” (including all federal courthouses and agency headquarters, DC public buildings, and other expensive future projects over a $50 million 2020-dollar threshold), a formal preference for classical/traditional architecture, a requirement for public and user input in the design process, and a temporary council to oversee and report on policy updates. The order also introduces a 30-day notice mechanism to the President for proposed designs that diverge from the preferred architecture, with a justification and cost comparison. The Council’s existence is time-limited, and its work is to inform GSA policy and, where applicable, adjustments to design-selection processes.
Key Points
- 1Preference for classical and traditional architecture for applicable Federal public buildings; in DC, classical is the default absent exceptions.
- 2Definition of “Applicable Federal public buildings” and a $50 million (2020 dollars) design/build/finish threshold for certain projects, excluding infrastructure and land ports of entry.
- 3Creation of the President’s Council on Improving Federal Civic Architecture, including CFA members, GSA leaders, the Architect of the Capitol, and up to 20 outside appointees; the Council is temporary (terminates Sept 30, 2021 unless extended).
- 4Requirements for projects that diverge from the preferred architecture: the Administrator must notify the President at least 30 days ahead, with justification, lifecycle cost comparisons, and consideration of alternative designs using preferred architecture.
- 5Responsibilities of the Council to propose policy updates to GSA, suggest changes related to design selection under the Commemorative Works Act, and to guide how architecture aligns with the order’s goals; GSA must implement these policies to the extent permitted by law and appropriations.