The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has condemned an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that aims to promote classical architecture in federal buildings, arguing it would stifle innovation and harm local communities.
The AIA issued a press release decrying the order, which mandates that federal buildings "respect regional, traditional and classical architectural heritage." The organization expressed concerns about the order's potential to remove control from local communities, mandate federal design preferences, and hinder design freedom.
The AIA believes that any federally issued measures to limit design choices would be detrimental to regional architecture and innovation. They argue that the current General Services Administration (GSA) Design Excellence Program, which guides federal construction, should not be revised.
Preservationists have also cast doubt on the effectiveness of the order, noting that the Moynihan provision, which guides the GSA, already calls for a diversity of building types across the federal government spectrum.
The order has been met with criticism from both the AIA and preservationists, who argue that it would stifle innovation and harm local communities. The AIA believes that the current GSA Design Excellence Program, which guides federal construction, should not be revised.