Executive Order 14344

Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again

Signed 2025-08-28 in effect
ArchitectureCultureGovernment Operations
Culture & Heritage

Directs that new federal buildings adhere to classical and traditional architectural styles and reverses the GSA's 1962 "Guiding Principles" that favored contemporary architecture.

Section by Section

What each section does, and how they differ.

Sec. 1 Purpose. The Founders, in line with great

States purpose that federal buildings reflect American governmental dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability through distinguished architectural design.

Sec. 2 Policy

Declares U.S. policy that federal buildings embody high architectural quality and regional traditions, with classical and traditional architecture preferred.

Sec. 3 Definitions. For the purposes of this order:

Defines key terms including classical architecture, traditional architecture, design excellence, and architectural dignity for purposes of the order.

Sec. 4 Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture

Establishes guiding principles directing agencies to prefer classical or traditional architecture, emphasize design excellence, incorporate regional traditions, and ensure economic feasibility.

Sec. 5 GSA Actions

Directs the General Services Administration to review and update design guidelines for federal buildings consistent with these architectural principles.

Sec. 6 General Provisions

Standard boilerplate: preserves existing agency authority, conditions the order on appropriations, and creates no enforceable private rights.