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119-hr-5565119th Congress

Make Federal Architecture Beautiful Again Act

Sponsored By: Representative Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would make classical and traditional architecture the preferred style for large federal public buildings, with classical default in Washington, D.C. It would steer the General Services Administration (GSA) to favor those styles, require public input, and demand cost and design justifications when modern styles are chosen.

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  • GSA staff and process: Would require the GSA to update policies, appoint a senior advisor with classical experience, list classical/traditional experience as specialized in competitions, and make these goals a critical part of the Chief Architect’s performance plan.
  • Architects and firms: Would weight classical and traditional experience in design-build competitions, actively recruit firms with that experience, and advance multiple design approaches to final evaluation.
  • Buildings and communities: Applies to Federal courthouses, agency headquarters, National Capital Region buildings, and other Federal public buildings expected to cost more than $50 million in 2025 dollars. It would require substantial local community input and ask for cost comparisons when approving divergent styles.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

New staffing and design rules for federal buildings

If enacted, the bill would add new staffing and procurement rules for federal building designs. GSA would appoint a senior advisor with classical experience, and reviewers would need training or experience in classical or traditional design. Early screening in design‑build competitions would list classical/traditional experience and give it substantial weight, and GSA would recruit firms with that background. If the Administrator seeks to approve a non‑preferred design (such as Brutalist or deconstructivist), they would have to notify the President at least 30 days before a point of no‑return and provide reasons, life‑cycle costs, and comparable classical alternatives. Performance plans would include advancing these goals, and during renovations GSA would study redesigns and give them strong consideration when feasible and economical.

Classical style preferred for federal buildings

If enacted, the bill would tell agencies to prefer classical and other traditional styles for covered federal buildings. In Washington, D.C., classical design would be the default unless there are exceptional reasons to do otherwise. Agencies would seek substantial local community input, reflect regional traditions, and aim for durable, accessible, and economical buildings. Where suitable, projects would include art by living American artists. Site choice would be coordinated with local agencies and consider nearby streets and public spaces.

Which federal buildings would face new design rules

If enacted, the bill would set which federal projects these design rules cover. It would include all courthouses, agency headquarters, and all federal public buildings in the National Capital Region. It would also cover any other federal public building costing over $50 million in 2025 dollars to design, build, and finish, but not infrastructure projects or land ports of entry. The bill would define “2025 dollars” using the BEA GDP price deflator with 2025 as the base year. It would also define styles like classical, traditional, Brutalist, and deconstructivist.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

TN • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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