Federal buildings in the United States

The so-called Federal Building was one of the exhibit halls at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair

Federal buildings in the United States house offices of the United States government that provide services to state and city level population centers. These federal buildings are often literally named Federal Building, with this moniker displayed on the property; they may share real estate with federal courthouses.

There are design issues specific to federal buildings, relating to their multipurpose functions and concerns related to the fact of their association with the government. For example, as symbols of the government, they may potentially be focus of protests or threats, so there are security issues. Also environmental impacts and environmentally sound design may be more important.

A committee set up by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 issued "Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture". Towards improving design of federal buildings in the United States, "the committee recommended architecture that would convey the 'dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability of the American Government.' Designers and officials were encouraged to pay special attention to site selection and layout, including landscape development."[1]

Some architects specialize in federal building designs.[2]

  1. ^ "U.S. Tax Court Building, Washington, DC". General Services Administration. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  2. ^ "Optimizing Building Space and Material Use in Federal Building Designs". May 12, 2015.