Over the long holiday weekend, Docomomo US was quoted in The New York Times in an article  responding to a new Executive Order from the Trump administration aimed at reviving "beautiful" federal architecture. Executive Director Liz Waytkus emphasized the importance of contemporary design, stating, "Architecture should be of its moment. It seems the current administration wants to look back and not forward.”

 

This marks the second Executive Order in recent years that challenges Brutalist and other Modern architectural styles, following a similar directive issued in 2020. You can read the most recent Executive Order on the White House website.

 

Earlier this year, Docomomo US took a stand against the potential impacts of the pending order, including the threat of demolishing significant government-owned buildings like the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building. The organization continues to monitor the federal building disposal process and advocate for the preservation of important 20th-century architecture. In addition, Docomomo US/DC has released its own response to the General Services Administration’s current architectural principles.

 

This is an active story we are watching. Please be in touch with us at info@docomomo-us.org if there is a development we should be made aware of.