AIA Responds to White House Memo on GSA Guiding Principles for Federal Projects

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is aware of the recent Memorandum for the Administrator of General Services (GSA) regarding The White House’s request to review the GSA’s Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture. AIA is extremely concerned about any revisions that remove control from local communities; mandate official federal design preferences, or otherwise hinder design freedom; and add bureaucratic hurdles for federal buildings.

AIA supports the GSA’s Guiding Principles, and we support freedom in design. AIA’s members believe the design of federal buildings must first be responsive to the people and communities who will use those buildings. Our federal buildings across the country must reflect America’s wealth of culture, rich traditions, and unique geographic regions. AIA has strong concerns that mandating architecture styles stifles innovation and harms local communities. The current Design Excellence Program at GSA, which is based on the Guiding Principles of Federal Architecture, achieves these goals and should be protected, not revised.

AIA will monitor and participate in the process laid out in the memo and provide feedback from AIA’s over 100,000 members comprising licensed, practicing architects who live and work in every community across the country. 

AIA is actively reviewing the White House’s executive orders and will keep you apprised as we prioritize the interests of the profession and our impact on society.