Photo © BigStockPhoto.com
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) condemns the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) recent mandate for a federal district courthouse to be designed in classical style in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
“We reject the principle of any pre-ordained styles mandated for GSA projects,” said Robert Ivy, FAIA, AIA CEO. “Instead, the AIA emphatically supports the peer-reviewed Design Excellence Program, which has raised the quality of federal design in communities throughout the United States, with projects tailored to the people, the places, and the times we live in.”
While no Executive Order has been issued to date, the AIA believes this is GSA’s project-by-project replacement of the draft order, which was circulated earlier this year. Since last year, AIA has been working to stop the order, which attempted to establish classical architecture as the preferred style. This would have applied to all federal courthouses, federal public buildings in the Capital region, and other federal public buildings whose cost exceeds $50 million.
Last month, AIA expressed strong support for the “Democracy in Design Act,” which was introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) in July. The legislation would override the recent action by the GSA and prevent any future Executive Order by directing “the Administrator of General Services to ensure that the construction and acquisition of public buildings in the United States adheres to the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture.” By codifying the GSA’s Design Excellence Program principles into statute, Congress will ensure the federal government maintains its current neutrality on architectural styles.
Like many other groups, the AIA believing its opinions are of greater worth. The GSA, like any bldg. owner, has the right to establish the design and bldg. perimeters of its real estate. If certain Architects don’t like the GSA’s approach, don’t bid on the design project. Government buildings are already more costly than their private counterparts due to paperwork complexity. Limiting an architects creativity and honoring the bldg. owners wishes is not such a bad idea at times. When your fees increase with the cost of the project, there is little incentive to be frugal with the overall costs, but this is taxpayer money not Monopoly money so prudence in costs should be second to function/safety which are paramount. Sounds like sour grapes or maybe ego’s being squashed on behalf of the AIA.
Again, the AIA should strive to fulfill its mission, serve the best interests of its members, not get involved in politics and much less on owner’s issues. Where on AIA’s mission statement does it mention to advocate or cancel an owners style preference?
“The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architectural profession in the US and the resource for its members in service to society. Through a culture of innovation, AIA empowers its members and inspires creation of a better built environment.”