Make Federal Architecture Beautiful Again Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5565

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Last Updated

2025-12-02T20:09:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Make Federal Architecture Beautiful Again Act" (H.R. 5565) aims to promote the use of classical and traditional architectural styles in certain federal public buildings. Its goals include enhancing civic pride, reflecting the nation's historical heritage, and ensuring high aesthetic quality in government infrastructure. The bill establishes a national policy favoring these styles while allowing flexibility in specific cases.

Key Provisions

• Definitions (Section 2): Provides clear meanings for key terms, such as:
• Applicable federal public building: Includes federal courthouses, agency headquarters, all buildings in the National Capital Region (Washington, D.C. area), and other major projects costing over $50 million (adjusted for inflation to 2025 dollars). Excludes infrastructure like roads or border ports.
• Classical architecture: Styles rooted in ancient Greek and Roman designs, expanded through Renaissance, Enlightenment, 19th- and 20th-century American architects; includes Neoclassical, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Beaux-Arts, and Art Deco.
• Traditional architecture: Encompasses classical styles plus historic ones like Gothic, Romanesque, Second Empire, Pueblo Revival, Spanish Colonial, and regional Mediterranean influences.
• Brutalist architecture: Block-like, concrete-heavy modernist style from the early 20th century.
• Deconstructivist architecture: Late 1980s style featuring fragmented, distorted, and unstable appearances.
• Preferred architecture: Classical and traditional styles that uplift public spaces, inspire people, and reflect national dignity.
• General public: Everyday citizens excluding experts, critics, or those with financial interests in building design.

• National Policy (Section 3): Declares that applicable federal buildings should beautify spaces, inspire citizens, earn public respect, and respect local heritage. Traditional and classical architecture is preferred, especially in Washington, D.C., where it is the default unless exceptional reasons apply. Deviations require strong justification to maintain dignity and stability. For renovations, agencies must consider redesigning to meet these standards if feasible and cost-effective, focusing on exteriors.

• Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture (Section 4): Updates existing principles (originally from 1962) to prioritize designs that reflect government dignity. Key elements include:
• Preferring classical and traditional styles for their proven ability to meet these goals, while allowing alternatives when appropriate.
• Emphasizing architectural excellence, regional traditions, incorporation of American art, reliable construction, cost-effectiveness, accessibility for people with disabilities, and economical operation/maintenance.
• Basing designs on government needs and public preferences, not just architectural trends; encouraging design competitions and input from classical experts.
• Treating site selection as the first design step, involving local agencies and considering surrounding streets and landscapes.

• GSA Requirements (Section 5): Directs the General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees federal buildings, to implement the policy by:
• Updating internal procedures promptly.
• Ensuring GSA architects reviewing designs have training or experience in classical/traditional styles.
• Appointing a senior advisor expert in classical architecture for guidance and evaluations.
• In design competitions, prioritizing firms with classical experience and advancing diverse styles to finals; recruiting such experts.
• Linking employee performance evaluations (especially the Chief Architect) to advancing this policy.
• Notifying the President at least 30 days before approving non-preferred designs (e.g., Brutalist or Deconstructivist), including cost comparisons and justifications against classical alternatives.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Builds on the 1962 Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture by making classical and traditional styles explicitly preferred and the default in key areas like Washington, D.C., rather than neutral or modernist-leaning options.
• Introduces mandatory GSA training, a new senior advisor role, performance metrics tied to the policy, and presidential notification for deviations—none of which existed before.
• Shifts emphasis from broad "excellence" to specific stylistic preferences, while retaining core ideas like regional sensitivity and cost control.
• Does not amend existing statutes directly but requires GSA to align its operations (under 40 U.S.C. § 3301 for public buildings and related procurement laws) with these new directives.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: GSA and agencies like the judiciary or executive departments will face stricter design reviews, potential redesign costs for renovations, and recruitment challenges for classical experts. This could slow projects but promote long-term aesthetic consistency.
• Citizens: May result in more inspiring, heritage-reflective federal buildings that foster public pride and respect, especially in high-visibility areas. Local communities gain input on designs, potentially improving civic spaces.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though iconic federal buildings (e.g., embassies or courthouses abroad, if applicable) could project a more traditional American image globally.
• Overall, aims for economical buildings but allows some extra costs to avoid uniformity; could increase upfront expenses for classical elements while reducing long-term maintenance through durable designs.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• General Services Administration (GSA): Primary implementer, responsible for training, advising, and enforcing preferences in building projects.
• Federal Agencies: Those constructing or renovating courthouses, headquarters, or major buildings (e.g., Department of Justice, executive offices) must align with new policies.
• Architects and Design Firms: Favors those skilled in classical/traditional styles; may disadvantage modernist specialists but encourages competitions and diverse recruitment.
• Taxpayers and General Public: Bear costs of buildings and benefit from aesthetically pleasing, respectful designs; input from non-experts is emphasized.
• Local Communities: Involved in site selection and design input, particularly for regional heritage.
• Artists and Experts: Living American artists encouraged for integrations; classical advisors and professors indirectly supported.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens administrative oversight by GSA without creating new enforcement penalties; relies on existing procurement laws (e.g., 41 U.S.C. § 3309 for competitions). Presidential notification adds executive branch involvement but does not require approval.
• Constitutional: Could raise questions about government speech (favoring certain aesthetics in public buildings as a form of official expression) versus free expression for architects, though courts have upheld similar design mandates as non-coercive policy choices. No direct First Amendment conflicts apparent, as it allows alternatives with justification.
• Political: Reflects a cultural push toward historical revival, potentially sparking debates on "traditional" values versus modernism or diversity in design. May influence future architecture policy but is limited to federal buildings, avoiding state/local mandates. As an introduced bill (not yet law), its passage could signal broader aesthetic priorities in governance.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
• 2025-09-26: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-09-26: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Make Federal Architecture Beautiful Again Act — issued 2025-09-26 — PDF (12 pages)