AIA commends Biden administration for reversing Trump federal design mandate
by sadia_badhon | February 24, 2021 6:40 pm
[1]Photo © BigStockPhoto.com
The American Institute of Architects[2] (AIA) has voiced support for the Biden administration’s decision to overturn the Executive Order[3], “Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture.”
“By overturning this order, the Biden administration has restored communities with the freedom of design choice that is essential to designing federal buildings that best serve the public,” said Peter Exley, FAIA, AIA 2021 president. “This is fundamental to an architect’s process and to achieving the highest quality buildings possible. We look forward to continuing to work with the administration toward developing policies that create healthy, just, and equitable communities.”
Under former President Donald Trump’s executive order, government agencies could mandate an architectural style preference for federal courthouses and other federal buildings. It also promoted “classical” and “traditional” architecture above other designs and required extensive justification to use other styles.
In a press release, AIA officials said the order conveyed misinformation about the General Service Administration’s (GSA’s) Design Excellence Program, which the organization strongly supports.
“Overall, the mandate inappropriately elevated the design tastes of a few federal appointees over the communities in which the buildings would be placed,” AIA said.
AIA and its members have been working to stop the order for more than a year. In February 2020, AIA members sent more than 11,400 letters to the White House condemning the earlier draft executive order. AIA leadership also issued letters on February 6[4] and February 20[5] to the Trump administration strongly opposing the order.
Additionally, AIA had been advocating for the Democracy in Design Act[6], which was introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) on July 15, 2020. The act would have effectively thwarted the Executive Order by codifying the GSA’s Design Excellence Program principles into statute and ensuring the federal government maintains neutrality on architectural styles.
- [Image]: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Opener-27.jpg
- American Institute of Architects: https://www.aia.org/
- Executive Order: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/aia-staunchly-opposes-trumps-plan-to-impose-classical-architecture-on-federal-buildings/
- February 6: https://www.aia.org/press-releases/6264391-aia-issues-letter-to-president-trump-oppos
- February 20: https://www.aia.org/press-releases/6268683-former-presidents-of-the-aia-issue-letter-
- Democracy in Design Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7604?s=1&r=1
Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/aia-commends-biden-administration-for-reversing-trump-federal-design-mandate/