President Trump, signed an executive order Monday that proposed that neo-classical architecture be used as the official style for federal buildings in Washington, DC., and new federal courthouses elsewhere. Too many federal buildings reflect ‘brutalist’ designs of the last century, the order reads.
Under the order, ‘classical’ design includes Neoclassical, Georgian, Greek Revival, Gothic and other traditional styles. The order will also establish a President’s Council on Improving Federal Civic Architecture that will include the Commissioner of the GSA Public Building Service, the Secretary of the Commission of Fine Arts, the Architect of the Capitol and other officials and twenty other people selected by Trump. The Council’s main purpose would be to ensure that proposed federal buildings are “beautiful and reflective of the dignity, enterprise, vigour, and stability of the American system of self-government”.
Trump had proposed traditional designs for new federal buildings in February. Critics had reacted in horror when the order first emerged in February. The order cites examples like Second Bank of the United States in Philadelphia, the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, and the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse in New York City as buildings with neo-classical design.
The American Institute of Architects told BBC that it "unequivocally opposes" the initiative. Head of American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation Robert Ivy, said, "Though we are appalled with the administration's decision to move forward with the design mandate, we are happy the order isn't as far-reaching as previously thought."
