Documents › Executive orders › 14344
Executive Order 14344
Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again
Signed August 28, 2025, printed at 90 FR 42685. 5 sections of substance, 2,025 words.
This order says new federal buildings should look classical. It sets that as the default style.
Sec. 1. Purpose
The Founders, in line with great societies before them, attached great importance to Federal civic architecture. They wanted America's public buildings to inspire the American people and encourage civic virtue. President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson consciously modeled the most important buildings in Washington, DC, on the classical architecture of ancient Athens and Rome. They sought to use classical architecture to visually connect our contemporary Republic with the antecedents of democracy in classical antiquity, reminding citizens not only of their rights but also their responsibilities in maintaining and perpetuating its institutions. Washington and Jefferson personally oversaw the competitions to design the Capitol Building and the White House. Under the direction and following the vision of these two Founders, Pierre Charles L'Enfant designed the
The Founders, in line with great societies before them, attached great importance to Federal civic architecture. They wanted America's public buildings to inspire the American people and encourage civic virtue. President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson consciously modeled the most important buildings in Washington, DC, on the classical architecture of ancient Athens and Rome. They sought to use classical architecture to visually connect our contemporary Republic with the antecedents of democracy in classical antiquity, reminding citizens not only of their rights but also their responsibilities in maintaining and perpetuating its institutions. Washington and Jefferson personally oversaw the competitions to design the Capitol Building and the White House. Under the direction and following the vision of these two Founders, Pierre Charles L'Enfant designed the
This states the case the order makes. It says the founders cared how public buildings looked. They wanted them to lift the spirit. Washington and Jefferson used old Greek and Roman forms. That tied the young country to early democracy. It reminded people of their duties. Both men watched over the Capitol design. A planner then laid out the city.
Sec. 2. Policy
(a) Applicable Federal public buildings should uplift and beautify public spaces, inspire the human spirit, ennoble the United States, and command respect from the general public. They should also be visually identifiable as civic buildings and, as appropriate, respect regional architectural heritage. Architecture--particularly traditional and classical architecture--that meets the criteria set forth in this subsection is the preferred architecture for applicable Federal public buildings. In the District of Columbia, classical architecture shall be the preferred and default architecture for Federal public buildings absent exceptional factors necessitating another kind of architecture. (b) Where the architecture of applicable Federal public buildings diverges from the preferred architecture set forth in subsection (a) of this section, [[Page 42686]] great care and consideration must be
(a) Applicable Federal public buildings should uplift and beautify public spaces, inspire the human spirit, ennoble the United States, and command respect from the general public. They should also be visually identifiable as civic buildings and, as appropriate, respect regional architectural heritage. Architecture--particularly traditional and classical architecture--that meets the criteria set forth in this subsection is the preferred architecture for applicable Federal public buildings. In the District of Columbia, classical architecture shall be the preferred and default architecture for Federal public buildings absent exceptional factors necessitating another kind of architecture. (b) Where the architecture of applicable Federal public buildings diverges from the preferred architecture set forth in subsection (a) of this section, [[Page 42686]] great care and consideration must be
This states the policy. Public buildings should beautify their setting. They should lift the spirit. They should earn respect. They should look like civic buildings. Where it fits, they should honor local styles. Traditional and classical designs are preferred. In the capital, classical is the default. Only rare cases justify another style.
Sec. 3. Definitions
For the purposes of this order: (a) ``Applicable Federal public building'' means: (i) all Federal courthouses and agency headquarters; (ii) all Federal public buildings in the National Capital Region; and (iii) all other Federal public buildings that cost or are expected to cost more than $50 million in 2025 dollars to design, build, and finish, but does not include infrastructure projects or land ports of entry. (b) ``Brutalist architecture'' means the style of architecture that grew out of the early 20th-century modernist movement that is characterized by a massive and block-like appearance with a rigid geometric style and large-scale use of exposed poured concrete. (c) ``Classical architecture'' means the architectural tradition derived from the forms, principles, and vocabulary of the architecture of Greek and Roman antiquity, and as later developed and expanded upon by such
For the purposes of this order: (a) ``Applicable Federal public building'' means: (i) all Federal courthouses and agency headquarters; (ii) all Federal public buildings in the National Capital Region; and (iii) all other Federal public buildings that cost or are expected to cost more than $50 million in 2025 dollars to design, build, and finish, but does not include infrastructure projects or land ports of entry. (b) ``Brutalist architecture'' means the style of architecture that grew out of the early 20th-century modernist movement that is characterized by a massive and block-like appearance with a rigid geometric style and large-scale use of exposed poured concrete. (c) ``Classical architecture'' means the architectural tradition derived from the forms, principles, and vocabulary of the architecture of Greek and Roman antiquity, and as later developed and expanded upon by such
This defines terms. Covered buildings are courthouses and agency headquarters. All federal buildings in the capital region count. So does any other one costing more than $50 million. Roads and border stations are left out. Brutalist means the blocky style in bare concrete. Classical means the tradition drawn from Greece and Rome.
Sec. 4. Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture
(a) Executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall to the extent practicable adhere to the following Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture: (i) The policy shall be to provide requisite and adequate facilities in an architectural style and form that is distinguished and that will reflect [[Page 42687]] the dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability of the American Government. Because of their proven ability to meet these requirements, classical and traditional architecture are preferred modes of architectural design. This preference does not exclude the possibility of alternative styles in appropriate circumstances. Major emphasis should be placed on the choice of designs that embody architectural excellence. Specific attention should be paid to the possibilities of incorporating into such designs qualities that reflect the regional architectural traditions of that part of the
(a) Executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall to the extent practicable adhere to the following Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture: (i) The policy shall be to provide requisite and adequate facilities in an architectural style and form that is distinguished and that will reflect [[Page 42687]] the dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability of the American Government. Because of their proven ability to meet these requirements, classical and traditional architecture are preferred modes of architectural design. This preference does not exclude the possibility of alternative styles in appropriate circumstances. Major emphasis should be placed on the choice of designs that embody architectural excellence. Specific attention should be paid to the possibilities of incorporating into such designs qualities that reflect the regional architectural traditions of that part of the
This sets guiding principles. Agencies must follow them where they can. Buildings must be fit for their use. Their style must show the dignity of the government. It must show its vigor too. Classical and traditional forms are preferred for that reason. Other styles are still possible. Design quality must come first. Local building traditions should be drawn on.
Sec. 5. GSA Actions
(a) The Administrator of General Services (Administrator) shall adhere to the policies and principles set forth in sections 2 and 4 of this order, and shall expeditiously update GSA policies and procedures to incorporate such policies and principles and advance the purposes of this order. (b) The Administrator shall: (i) ensure that GSA architects whose duties include reviewing, assisting with, or approving the selection of architects or designs for applicable Federal public buildings have formal training in, or substantial and significant experience with, classical or traditional architecture; (ii) create the position of senior advisor for architectural design, for an individual with specialized experience in classical architecture, to help develop GSA procedures, advise on architectural standards, and provide guidance during design evaluations or design juries; (iii) where the design
(a) The Administrator of General Services (Administrator) shall adhere to the policies and principles set forth in sections 2 and 4 of this order, and shall expeditiously update GSA policies and procedures to incorporate such policies and principles and advance the purposes of this order. (b) The Administrator shall: (i) ensure that GSA architects whose duties include reviewing, assisting with, or approving the selection of architects or designs for applicable Federal public buildings have formal training in, or substantial and significant experience with, classical or traditional architecture; (ii) create the position of senior advisor for architectural design, for an individual with specialized experience in classical architecture, to help develop GSA procedures, advise on architectural standards, and provide guidance during design evaluations or design juries; (iii) where the design
This tells the buildings agency to act. It must follow the policy and the principles. It must update its own procedures fast. Its architects who judge designs need training in classical work. Long experience may serve instead. It must create a senior design adviser post. That person needs classical expertise. They advise on standards and design panels.
Sec. 6. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. [[Page 42689]] (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the General Services Administration. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE,
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. [[Page 42689]] (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the General Services Administration. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE,
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
How this order is quoted
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