This bill sets national design goals for major federal public buildings. It says federal buildings should uplift public spaces, inspire people, and be clearly civic in appearance. The bill says classical and other traditional architecture are the preferred styles, especially in the District of Columbia. It defines which buildings the rules apply to (federal courthouses, agency headquarters, public buildings in the National Capital region, and any public building with a design/build cost over $50,000,000 in 2025 dollars). The General Services Administration (GSA) must update its policies, hire or train staff with experience in classical or traditional architecture, create a Senior Advisor for Architectural Design, and use those preferences when running design competitions. If the GSA wants to approve a design that departs from the preferred styles, it must notify the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy at least 30 days before a decision and explain why, including cost and lifecycle comparisons. The Administrator must also report each year to relevant Congressional committees about how the law is being carried out.
No publicly available information on total costs or estimated budget impacts. The bill applies to projects with a construction and design cost over $50,000,000 in 2025 dollars. Implementation is subject to the availability of appropriations and does not itself appropriate funds.
The bill states design choices should uplift and beautify public spaces, inspire the human spirit, ennoble the nation, command public respect, be visually identifiable as civic buildings, and respect regional architectural heritage. It identifies classical and other traditional architecture as the preferred forms because they are seen as reflecting dignity, stability, and civic purpose. The bill also promotes local input, incorporation of fine art, use of proven materials and construction methods, accessibility, and economy of operation and maintenance.
No publicly available information.