On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum titled “Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture,” reigniting his commitment to classical architectural design for federal buildings. The directive, which tasks the General Services Administration (GSA) with ensuring new federal buildings adhere to traditional and classical styles, aims to “uplift and beautify public spaces” while reflecting the values and aspirations of the American people.
The memorandum directs the GSA administrator, in consultation with Trump’s domestic policy team and other department heads, to submit recommendations within 60 days on how to achieve this vision. The recommendations will consider revisions to the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture and procedures for incorporating community input into federal building designs. Any proposed federal building design that deviates from the directive must be reviewed and justified to the president within 30 days.
Trump’s memorandum echoes a 2020 executive order issued during his first term, which declared classical architecture the “preferred and default” style for federal buildings in Washington, D.C. That order criticized modernist and brutalist architectural trends, calling them uninspiring and disconnected from America’s cultural heritage. President Joe Biden revoked the order in 2021, but Trump’s new directive signals his determination to restore classical architecture as the hallmark of American public spaces.
Critics, however, have already voiced opposition to the memorandum. The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the world’s largest design organization, expressed concerns about the directive potentially stifling innovation and community input. “AIA’s members believe the design of federal buildings must first be responsive to the people and communities who will use those buildings,” the group said in a statement. The organization, representing more than 100,000 architects, argued that local communities should have a say in building designs and warned that mandating federal design preferences could harm regional identity.
Proponents of Trump’s initiative, however, view the move as a necessary step to restore dignity and elegance to public architecture. Classical and traditional styles, with their emphasis on symmetry, permanence, and grandeur, align with the ideals of America’s founding and provide a sense of national pride. For many conservatives, this policy reflects a broader effort to preserve and celebrate America’s heritage against the creeping influence of sterile, utilitarian modernism.
Trump’s memorandum ensures that federal building designs will once again reflect timeless principles and embody the enduring ideals of the nation, rather than succumbing to fleeting trends in architectural style. This move is yet another example of Trump’s commitment to putting America First, not only in policy but also in the aesthetics of its public spaces.
