“A bill to prescribe Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes the policy of the United States for applicable Federal public buildings to (1) uplift and beautify public spaces, inspire the human spirit, ennoble the United States, command public respect, be visually identifiable as civic buildings, and respect regional architectural heritage as appropriate; (2) incorporate substantial local community input in design selection; (3) prefer traditional and classical architecture; and (4) prefer classical architecture as the default in the District of Columbia absent exceptional factors. The section further states that diverging designs must command public respect and convey the dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability of U.S. self-government and directs examination of redesign feasibility to meet these criteria during renovations, with substantial consideration of feasible and economical redesigns, especially for exteriors.
This section defines 12 terms for purposes of the Act, including "2025 dollars" as dollars adjusted for inflation using the Bureau of Economic Analysis Gross Domestic Product price deflator with 2025 as the base year; "Administration" as the General Services Administration; and "applicable Federal public building" as any Federal courthouse, Federal agency headquarters, public building in the National Capital region (as defined in 40 U.S.C. 8702), or other public building with design, build, and finish costs exceeding $50 million in 2025 dollars (excluding infrastructure projects and land ports of entry). It further defines architectural styles such as "brutalist architecture" (characterized by massive, block-like forms and exposed poured concrete), "classical architecture" (derived from Greek and Roman antiquity and later developed through Renaissance, Enlightenment, 19th-, and 20th-century practitioners, including Neoclassical, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Beaux-Arts, and Art Deco styles), "deconstructivist architecture" (featuring fragmentation, distortion, and instability), and "traditional architecture" (including classical architecture and historic styles such as Gothic, Romanesque, Second Empire, Pueblo Revival, and Spanish Colonial); as well as "preferred architecture" (as described in section 2(3)) and "general public" (excluding artists, architects, engineers, critics, instructors, building industry members, and those affiliated with affected interest groups).
This section establishes guiding principles for federal architecture that all federal agencies must follow to the maximum extent practicable. The principles require (1) federal public buildings to use a preferred style of classical or traditional architecture—while allowing alternatives in appropriate circumstances—with emphasis on design excellence, regional traditions, fine art by living American artists, sound construction, and economical, accessible buildings; (2) design to flow from federal needs and public preferences (rather than vice versa), including willingness to pay extra to avoid uniformity, design competitions where appropriate, and advice from architects experienced in classical or traditional styles prior to major contracts; and (3) site selection as the first design step, conducted with state and local agencies and considering surrounding streets, public places, and opportunities for generous landscaping.
This section requires the Administrator of General Services to adhere to the policy described in section 2 and Guiding Principles by updating agency policies and procedures and taking specified actions in selecting designs for applicable federal public buildings, including (1) ensuring employed architects have formal training or substantial experience in classical or traditional architecture; (2) establishing a Senior Advisor for Architectural Design position filled by an individual with specialized experience in those styles to assist with procedures, advise on standards, and provide guidance during design evaluations; (3) for designs selected via two-phase procedures under 41 U.S.C. §3309 (i.e., design-build competitions), listing experience with classical or traditional architecture as specialized experience and technical competence in phase-one solicitations and giving it substantial weight in advancing offerors to phase two; and (4) incorporating advancement of the Act's purposes as a critical performance element for the Chief Architect and relevant Public Buildings Service employees. This section further directs the Administrator, for design competitions, to actively recruit architectural firms (including those experienced in classical or traditional architecture) and, to the maximum extent practicable, advance multiple design modes to the final evaluation round. This section requires the Administrator to notify the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy at least 30 days before approving a design for a new applicable federal public building that diverges from preferred architecture (including Brutalist or Deconstructivist styles or derivatives), providing a detailed justification, expected lifecycle costs of the proposed design and seriously considered alternatives using preferred architecture, and related information.
This section provides general provisions that (1) preserve existing authorities of executive departments and agencies and functions of the Office of Management and Budget; (2) require implementation consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations; and (3) state that the Act creates no enforceable rights or benefits against the United States, its departments, agencies, entities, officers, employees, agents, or any other person.
This section directs the Administrator to submit an annual report to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on implementation of this Act, including adherence to the U.S. policy described in section 2 and the Guiding Principles.