(CNN) President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday looking to ensure that federal buildings feature "beautiful" architecture, expressing a preference for classical architecture over modernist designs. The order did not explicitly define what standards buildings must meet to be considered beautiful, saying that new federal buildings should be of classical design but not mandating that style. The order defines classical architecture as "the architectural tradition derived from the forms, principles, and vocabulary of the architecture of Greek and Roman antiquity" and that "encompasses such styles as Neoclassical, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Beaux-Arts, and Art Deco." It applies to all federal courthouses, agency headquarters, DC public buildings and all other public buildings costing more than $50 million. "The Federal architecture that ensued, overseen by the General Services Administration (GSA), was often unpopular with Americans," the order states.

Source: CNN December 22, 2020 02:37 UTC