The bill looks to revive the traditional and classical architectural styles favored in the past, suggesting a back-to-the-roots approach to architecture for federal buildings, courthouses, and agency headquarters, particularly those with design and building costs exceeding $50 million. Put forth by Senator Marco Rubio among others, the bill has clear inclinations towards previous architectural trends. A particular focus is placed on the visuals of the exteriors of these buildings, insisting they be ‘enlarging of the human spirit’, a clear reminder of the remarkable architectural heritage that several federal edifices already possess.
A notable characteristic of the proposed legislation is the stipulation for enhanced public participation in the architectural decision-making process. The administration is encouraged to extend consultation to those who will be interactors with the built environment and the general public. This aims to ensure democratic processes naturally extend to our built environment, letting the public have a say in the final outcome, lending to the buildings ‘commanding respect from the general public’.
The bill also establishes the formation of a Council on Improving Federal Civic Architecture. The council, comprising former and current chairs of the Commission of Fine Arts, distinguished architects and general public members not affiliated with the federal government, is specifically tasked with proposing policy and procedural changes for uplifting civic architecture.
However, while nodding to traditional constancy, the bill does accommodate the occasional deviation from this tendency. Should a construction design favor Brutalist or Deconstructivist styles—known for their heavy, unadorned cement structures and complex geometric aesthetics— special permissions would be required. The legislation obliges the administration to justify the selection of such ‘divergent’ designs, and to ensure the proposed architecture adheres to the same principles of public admiration, respectability, and cost-effectiveness as standardized classical and traditional edifices.
In summary, the Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act of 2023 champions the historical architectural aesthetics that have defined the U.S.’s built environment, and aims to ensure that future federal public buildings continue to inspire and captivate the general public. It also pushes for the democratization of design decisions, ushering in a broader participation from citizens. Policymakers hope that the bill, upon approval, will provide a roadmap for fresher, more inspiring, and utterly alluring federal civic architecture, worthy of being the backdrop to the great American story.
