The American Institute of Architects (AIA) praised Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) for introducing the Democracy in Design Act in the U.S. Senate. The legislation emphasizes the importance of empowering communities nationwide to have a say in shaping federal architecture that embodies the nation’s rich diversity of values and traditions.
 
The Senate bill mirrors the leadership of Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), who has championed the Democracy in Design Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. These efforts collectively reaffirm Congress’s dedication to upholding the longstanding principle that federal architecture should be shaped through collaboration with local communities and guided by the expertise of architects.
 
“The Democracy in Design Act ensures that America’s public buildings remain a reflection of the people they serve, not the product of one mandated style,” said 2025 AIA President, Evelyn Lee, FAIA. “We applaud Senator Van Hollen, Senator Lujan, and Congresswoman Titus for their leadership in preserving democratic values in the design process and recognizing the essential role architects play in shaping spaces that are inclusive, functional, and representative of our nation’s character.”
 
AIA has long opposed efforts to impose a government-mandated style for federal buildings. Instead, AIA supports policies that allow communities and design professionals to collaborate on solutions that meet local needs while maintaining design freedom.
 
In response to an Executive Order in 2020 mandating classical design for federal buildings, AIA strongly supported bipartisan legislation in both the 117th and 118th Congress to codify the U.S. General Service Administration’s (GSA) “Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture.” If passed, that legislation would have prohibited a national design style and encouraged the government to avoid uniformity in building design.
   
“The power of architecture lies in its ability to tell the story of who we are as a nation,” said Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, Interim EVP/CEO of AIA. “By advancing this legislation, Senator Van Hollen, Senator Lujan, and Congresswoman Titus are helping to ensure that those stories remain dynamic, inclusive, and authentic.”
 
AIA looks forward to working with lawmakers in both chambers to advance the Democracy in Design Act and safeguard the principles of local control and design freedom for future generations.