Trump rejects modernism. Federal buildings will be built in the classical style

US President Donald Trump has signed a regulation instructing architects of federal administration buildings to build them in a classicist style. The new law rejects modernism, which for decades defined the style of public buildings.

The regulation “Make federal architecture again beautiful”, signed by the American president on Thursday, rejects the architectural guidelines of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, which has been in force since the 1960s.

These guidelines advised the government to impose “official style” and recommended modeling on contemporary architects. Since the 1960s, hundreds of modernist buildings were created in the spirit of these principles.

The new regulations go in opposition to these principles, establishing classical architecture – inspired by ancient Greece and Rome – as a model for new federal buildings.

The White House explained that in exceptional cases other styles are permissible, but they must “express the dignity, energy and stability of the American government” and gain recognition of public opinion. The administration is to be informed about projects different from classicism.

In the intention of the creators of the new law, public buildings should “refine public spaces” and “inspire human souls.”

– President Trump restores beauty and pride to the federal buildings, destroyed by terrible and unpopular modernist architecture – said the spokesman for the White House Taylor Rogers, commenting on the new regulation.

One of the supporters of changes, Justin Shubow from the National Association of Citizens' Art, described them as a breakthrough, which “reflects control over the architecture of the state and citizens.”

Critics, however, accuse Trump's administration, limiting creative freedom and forcing the regressive vision of aesthetics. The American Institute of Architects expressed “serious concern”, emphasizing that public buildings should reflect the cultural and geographical diversity of the country.

At the end of his previous term, Trump attacked modernism in architecture, and this year renewed these attacks as soon as the office was taken in January. (PAP)

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