Sponsors (2)
Introduced September 8, 2025 by Kevin Kiley · Last progress September 8, 2025
The bill trades greater federal architectural uniformity, local input, accessibility, and lifecycle-focused standards (and benefits to firms experienced in traditional styles) for higher taxpayer costs, reduced design flexibility and competition, added administrative burdens, and weaker private enforcement.
People with disabilities and building users will get more accessible federal buildings because designs must incorporate accessibility features.
Taxpayers and federal managers may see lower long‑term maintenance and replacement costs because the bill emphasizes durable materials, sound construction, and lifecycle cost comparisons before approving non‑standard designs.
Local communities and urban neighborhoods gain a formal role and clearer voice in selecting designs for federal public buildings, increasing local input into civic projects and the fit of buildings within neighborhoods.
Taxpayers will likely face higher construction and renovation costs because preferring classical/traditional styles and specific materials/labor can increase prices and reduce competition.
Americans who prefer contemporary or community‑driven designs — and the architectural profession broadly — may see reduced design innovation and excluded modern approaches because the bill prioritizes particular historic/traditional styles.
Small design firms, modern‑design firms, and GSA applicants without classical/traditional credentials risk being disadvantaged, narrowing the pool of competitors for federal contracts and limiting hiring/promotion opportunities.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Directs federal agencies, led by GSA, to prefer classical and traditional architecture for major federal public buildings and to require related staffing, procurement preferences, justifications for departures, and annual reporting.
Directs federal agencies, led by GSA, to prefer classical and traditional architectural styles for major federal public buildings and the National Capital Region, with a national policy that buildings should uplift public spaces, respect regional traditions, and incorporate art. It requires GSA to update policies, hire or assign staff with classical/traditional architecture experience, weight that experience in competitions, justify departures from the preferred styles, and report annually to Congress. Applies to federal courthouses, agency headquarters, large public buildings (cost over $50M in 2025 dollars), and all public buildings in the National Capital Region; sets guiding principles for design, procurement, site selection, accessibility, materials, and community input while preserving existing law and appropriations limits.