AIA Indiana Call to Action

Immediate Action Needed - Contact the White House NOW!
February 14, 2020
 
The AIA  learned several months ago that there is a draft executive order being circulated by the Trump Administration for consideration by agency officials that would officially designate "classical" architecture as the preferred style of all U.S. federal courthouses. We have voiced our fervent opposition directly to the White House and officials in the relevant agencies. Additionally, all federal public buildings in the Capital region would be required to adhere to the same "classical" style (and all other federal public buildings whose costs exceed $50 million in modern dollars). The AIA strongly and unequivocally opposes this change in policy to promote any one style of architecture over another for federal buildings across the country.  

The draft executive order defines "classical architectural style" to mean architectural features derived from classical Greek and Roman architecture. There are some allowances for "traditional architectural style" which is defined to mean classical architecture along with Gothic, Romanesque, and Spanish colonial. The draft executive order specifically prohibits the use of Brutalist architecture, or its derivatives, in any circumstance.

Except for Brutalism, there is some language in the draft executive order that would allow for other architectural styles to be used. However, the high bar required to satisfy the process described within the executive order would all but restrict the ability to design the federal buildings under this order in anything but the preferred style.

The AIA strongly condemns the move to enforce a top-down directive on architectural style. Design decisions should be left to the designer and the community, not bureaucrats in Washington, DC. All architectural styles have value and all communities have the right to weigh in on the government buildings meant to serve them.

CLICK HERE to send an email to President Trump.This email is prefilled and just requires your name and address.

CLICK HERE to view an opinion piece from AIA Indiana member Michael Lykoudis, FAIA, University of Notre Dame School of Architecture Dean, titled "I teach architecture. Trump's plan for federal buildings is a bad idea."

CLICK HERE to view an article in the Chicago Tribune regarding this matter by Blair Kamin, who has been the Chicago Tribune's architecture critic since 1992.

Please do not hesitate to contact AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley, [email protected], 317-634-6993, if you have questions or concerns regarding these or any other issues.
Support your profession by attending an "AIA Indiana Day at the Statehouse." This is a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the key AIA state legislative and regulatory issues and to become a lobbyist for a day. You will be able to directly impact the legislative process by meeting with your state legislators and discussing the issues important to architects.  Current dates available include February 24, 25, 26, 27, March 2, 3, 4, and 5.  

(L-R) AIA Indiana Committee on the Environment (COTE) Co-Chair Joe Yount, AIA and Senator Jean Breaux (D - Indianapolis). 
 
Please choose a date and RSVP to AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley, [email protected] , 317/634-6993. The day will begin at 12 p.m. with lunch and end no later than 3 p.m. A unified voice is vital. Don't wait to get involved!
Architects for Indiana Political Action Committee 

Please contribute to the Architects for Indiana Political Action Committee (ARCHPAC). The importance of our participation in the political process becomes more and more evident each time we must take action to cope with legislative proposals that call for extending the sales tax to services, requiring stock school plans, or providing interior designers stamping privileges!  
 
Please join many of your fellow Hoosier AIA members who have already contributed and write a $50 check today to ARCHPAC and return it to AIA Indiana, 115 W. Washington St., Suite 955 S, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
AIA Indiana | 317-634-6993 | [email protected] | www.aiaindiana.org
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