The American Institute of Architects opposes legislation introduced in the House by Rob Bishop (R-Utah) that would scupper Frank Gehry’s design for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial. The bill, introduced on Wednesday, would cut federal funding for the memorial and mandate a new design.
“Representative Bishop’s legislation allows Congress to exercise governmental authority in a wholly arbitrary manner that negates the stated selection process,” said AIA CEO Bob Ivy, FAIA, in a statement. “It is nothing more than an effort to intimidate the innovative thinking for which our profession is recognized at home and around the globe. We intend to vigorously oppose it.
“The AIA doesn’t offer any assessment on whether the Eisenhower Memorial Design is good or bad. The Congressman says the intent of his bill is to seek consensus around a design for the memorial. We wonder how his bill can achieve that stated consensus when it specifically bans the current design proposal.”
