HR5194-119

What This Bill Does

The Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act makes traditional and classical architecture the federal preference for applicable federal public buildings. It covers federal courthouses, agency headquarters, public buildings in the National Capital region, and other public buildings costing more than $50 million in 2025 dollars, excluding infrastructure projects and land ports of entry. The policy says federal buildings should uplift public spaces, command public respect, be identifiable as civic buildings, and reflect regional heritage; in Washington, D.C., classical architecture becomes the preferred and default architecture absent exceptional factors. Federal agencies must follow guiding principles emphasizing classical and traditional forms while allowing alternatives in appropriate circumstances, regional traditions, living American artists, durable materials, accessibility, public aspirations, design competitions, distinguished classical or traditional architects, state and local cooperation, streetscapes, and landscape. GSA must update policies, require relevant architects to have formal training or substantial experience in classical or traditional architecture, create a Senior Advisor for Architectural Design, weigh classical or traditional experience in design-build competitions, include the Act in performance plans, recruit classical or traditional designers, and notify the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy before approving Brutalist, Deconstructivist, or related nonpreferred designs. The Act preserves agency and OMB authority, creates no enforceable private right, applies subject to appropriations, and requires annual GSA reports to congressional oversight committees.

Who Benefits and How

Classical architecture contractors benefit because GSA must recruit and weigh experience with classical or traditional architecture in design competitions. Traditional architecture organizations benefit because federal policy treats their design modes as preferred for major civic buildings. Living American artist organizations benefit because the guiding principles emphasize incorporating fine art where appropriate. Local communities benefit because federal building design should include substantial local input and respect regional architectural heritage.

Who Bears the Burden and How

General Services Administration design staff must update procedures, hire or use expertise in classical or traditional architecture, and create a Senior Advisor role. Federal agency facilities offices must apply the guiding principles to applicable federal public buildings. Modernist architecture contractors may face fewer opportunities when designs diverge from the preferred architecture. GSA administrators must notify the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy before approving covered nonpreferred designs and report annually to Congress.

Key Provisions

• Establishes classical and traditional architecture as the preferred architecture for applicable federal public buildings.
• Requires federal agencies to follow guiding principles on civic dignity, regional heritage, durable materials, accessibility, and public input.
• Creates GSA procedures for classical or traditional design expertise, Senior Advisor review, and design-build competition weighting.
• Requires notification before approving Brutalist, Deconstructivist, or related nonpreferred designs for new applicable federal buildings.
• Requires annual GSA reports to Senate and House oversight committees.