Revitalizing America’s Architectural Heritage: A Vision for Beautiful Federal Buildings

Revitalizing America’s Architectural Heritage: A Vision for Beautiful Federal Buildings

Architecture serves as a powerful reflection of cultural values and identity. When Americans contemplate the structures that best embody our ideals, landmark buildings such as the Capitol, the White House, the Supreme Court, and the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials immediately come to mind.

These iconic landmarks share a common trait: their beauty and the radiance of their stone facades. There is an innate quality in these structures that compels us to look upwards, take note, and feel a sense of pride. More crucially, these edifices exemplify the enduring classical architectural traditions that date back to the grand designs of ancient Greece and Rome.

The Legacy of Classical Architecture

The importance of classical architecture was underscored by Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who significantly influenced the design of the nation’s capital. Jefferson described the U.S. Capitol as the first temple dedicated to the sovereignty of the people, combining Athenian aesthetics with a vision for a nation poised for greatness. Washington admired the grandeur, simplicity, and iconic beauty of the Capitol’s neoclassical construction.

These founding principles birthed a classical architectural legacy that flourished for nearly 150 years. From coast to coast, this tradition fostered the development of remarkable structures, such as the Birch Bayh U.S. Courthouse in Indianapolis – a masterful beaux-arts design completed in 1905. With its Indiana limestone, Ionic columns, and expansive courtrooms, this courthouse stands as a testament to the beauty of classical design.

Modern Architectural Disconnect

The Tippecanoe County Courthouse in Lafayette, Indiana, completed in 1884, serves as another noteworthy example of classical beauty in public architecture. Featuring a striking three-tiered clock tower and intricate sculptures, it remains one of Indiana’s architectural gems.

However, beginning in the 1960s, a striking shift occurred in the national priorities surrounding architectural beauty. Today, fewer than 10 percent of newly constructed government buildings embody classical or traditional designs. Instead, many contemporary government structures, including the FBI headquarters and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, are often criticized for their stark, brutalist aesthetics. Three different HUD secretaries, spanning both sides of the political aisle, have likened their building to ten floors of basement.

More recently, newly constructed courthouses have drawn scrutiny for their avant-garde designs, often undermining the principles and values that our country holds dear. For example, the architect behind the Nancy Pelosi San Francisco Federal Building has candidly stated that his design embraces an aggressive attitude toward public engagement.

A Legislative Response

To reverse this unsettling trend, I, Senator Jim Banks, plan to introduce the Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act. This forthcoming legislation aims to codify President Donald Trump’s executive order, aptly titled “Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again.” The bill stipulates that newly constructed federal buildings should uplift and beautify public spaces, inspire the human spirit, ennoble our nation, and earn the respect of American citizens.

Importantly, my legislation will not impose a specific architectural style. Rather, it encourages federal buildings to lean towards designs that evoke classical and traditional styles, ranging from neoclassical to art deco, Romanesque, and Pueblo revival.

Additionally, federal agencies will be mandated to seek substantial input from local communities during the design selection process for federal buildings. Currently, there exists no requirement for such input, leaving the community disconnected from decisions that affect the architecture of their government. This bill seeks to reverse that disconnect and ensure that the public has a voice in shaping the character and design of their own government buildings.

Proof of Possibility

Our nation remains capable of producing beautiful and dignified public architecture that fosters civic virtue. An excellent example is the Tuscaloosa Federal Building and Courthouse, inaugurated in 2012. Its classical design radiates strength and elegance while demonstrating that aesthetic values can coexist with fiscal responsibility, having been completed on time and within budget.

Moreover, public preference for classical architecture persists. A 2020 survey conducted by the National Civic Art Society and Harris Poll of 2,000 American adults indicated that 72 percent favor traditional architectural styles for government structures. This sentiment transcends political affiliations, with majorities of 70 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of Republicans backing this approach.

Debate Over Values in Design

Despite these clear preferences, some cultural elites defend even the most unappealing designs. Many of these critics, often social activists, argue that classical forms reflect a problematic narrative of Western civilization and American historical values. They are correct, albeit not in the way they perceive. The conversation around the design of our public buildings transcends aesthetics; it delves into a deeper discourse on our national identity and aspirations.

As the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, an ardent advocate for architectural beauty, often quoted from Thomas Jefferson, “Design activity and political thought are indivisible.” Therefore, the architecture we choose for our public spaces conveys implicit political choices.

The Founders envisioned a classical Washington, D.C., an iconic city that continues to embody the values that make America extraordinary. To fulfill this vision, the Beautifying Federal Civic Architecture Act must be enacted. It is essential for ensuring that federal buildings vividly reflect the ideals and values that define the United States as the greatest nation on Earth.

Justin Shubow serves as the president of the National Civic Art Society and is the former chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.