
Why architects in government matter
Rona Rothenberg, FAIA, and Julia Laue, FAIA, make the case for getting involved.
"Public buildings reflect the character of a nation and inspire the confidence of its people." — Thomas Jefferson
The spaces we inhabit—where we live, learn, and govern—are profoundly impacted by design. What if these spaces lacked intention, beauty, sustainability, or equity?
This is precisely why architects in government are so vital. From shaping iconic city skylines to meticulously restoring national landmarks, public-sector architects have long exerted a significant influence on how our communities function and thrive. They are not merely designers; they are stewards of the public good.
Architects in the public sector play diverse roles: designing federal buildings, advising on military installations, and guiding civic projects at the local level. Many go a step further, becoming "citizen architects," serving on boards, commissions, and in elected office to ensure that thoughtful design is integral to public decision-making. In an era where public trust and infrastructure are both in need of repair, architects bring a crucial combination of vision, integrity, and long-term thinking to the table.
AIA Architecture Week 2025: A spotlight on contributions
AIA #ArchitectureWeek 2025, held this past April, spotlighted the essential contributions that architects make across both government and industry. This annual celebration by AIA serves to showcase impactful design, offer resources to support quality architectural practice, and underscore the importance of building a strong pipeline into the profession, starting with K-12 education. From regional and city planning initiatives to the design and construction of enduring public and private spaces, Architecture Week underscored how architects add lasting value to communities across all geographies and socioeconomic backgrounds.
One of the highlights of AIA Architecture Week 2025 was the focus on the history and importance of the Architect of the U.S. Capitol as a steward of federal architecture, serving the U.S. Congress. This role exemplifies the legacy of architects contributing to the public good in the U.S., a tradition that began with Thomas Jefferson.
A historical perspective: Architects in government
Architects and architectural leaders have been employed within the branches of the federal government and the military since the appointment of Dr. William Thornton as the first Architect of the U.S. Capitol in 1793 by President George Washington. Thornton's design for the U.S. Capitol was accepted that year, marking the start of construction and the first of countless contributions of architects to the federal architecture.
Examples of contemporary roles:
- Chief and regional architects lead major building programs within the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages the largest building portfolio in the United States.
- Within the federal judiciary, senior architects and Chief Circuit Architects serve as key staff, guiding courthouse design and facilities management.
- At the State Department, a senior architect heads the Overseas Buildings Operations, overseeing the design and construction of U.S. embassies and diplomatic facilities worldwide.
- Senior architects play critical roles across the mission-driven divisions of the military – including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard.
These positions are typically established by each federal agency, with architects appointed or hired through the federal employment system and assigned by branch, region, or project need.
The role of architects across governance levels
Given the diverse governance models across the 50 states—and in thousands of counties, cities, public colleges and universities, schools, libraries, and other institutions—architects serve in many different roles within public agencies. Architects work as project managers and staff professionals in public sector offices throughout organizations at every level of government. Each case is individual to the institution or government entity! There is no single type of position in government for an architect, or a centralized resource or clearinghouse of documentation of the positions, the completed projects, or the invaluable contributions architects make to public-sector infrastructure. Yet their impact is profound — shaping capital programs that safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the communities they serve.
Official architect roles: A patchwork across the nation
Some jurisdictions have established an official or chief role for an architect by policy or statute. There is almost no way to know exactly how many chief or official architects are elected, appointed, hired, or placed throughout the country without focused, extensive and detailed research. In 2001, members of the AIA California board prepared a white paper which considered the benefit to service to the public of establishing official government architects in every jurisdiction in the state, among cities, with over 400,000 residents.
In our research, we looked at national trends and metrics for our large state. We were able to determine at that time that only eight of the 58 states had an official state architect and that six of the 58 counties in our state and two cities among 482 cities, towns, and villages, and 2,949 special districts, had an official county, city or regional architect. This included the unique and special City and County of San Francisco, which has an official, appointed City Architect under the auspices of San Francisco Public Works and one of the largest, full-service public, in-house architectural and engineering offices in government in the U.S. In 2024, Julia Laue, FAIA, was appointed to this position and is the first woman to hold this position since its inception in 1907.
Citizen architects: Engaging in civic life
Over the decades, many architects have embraced roles as "citizen architects"—using our unique education, leadership abilities, design & problem-solving skills to serve our communities. Whether through elected or appointed positions, or by volunteering on planning commissions, design review boards, or civic committees, we bring a valuable perspective to public service. A Citizen Architect actively advocates for both the public good and the profession by engaging directly in governance and applying our expertise where it can make a lasting impact. AIA supports this commitment through its Citizen Architect programs, available across many state components and local chapters, with guidance and resources provided by AIA.
Advocating for official architects in major programs
Broader efforts have been underway to advocate for the value of official architects leading major capital programs for the public sector. Since 1986, U.S. Mayors have been involved in the Mayor's Institute through the National Endowment of the Arts, advocating for excellence and planning in architecture of cities. In 2004, the U.S. Council of Mayors first introduced the concept of the critical importance and role of architects in U.S. Cities. This initiative had been codified in the goals and objectives of the Council, a symposium of all the mayors in the U.S. with populations over 30,000. Consistent with this initiative, the AlA has developed a close partnership with the Council. In 2024, marking 20 years since the initial proposal, the AIA 2024 President addressed the mayors to reaffirm this shared vision. The message was clear: architects bring essential skills and insight to public investment, advancing community goals through thoughtful design. This collaboration integrates the values of AIA's Blueprint for Better and the Framework for Design Excellence, reinforcing the vital link between architecture and public benefit.
Conclusion: Architects—a vital resource in government
As this overview makes clear, architects bring critical value to government. Across the federal, state, and local levels—and throughout public institutions—there is a strong precedent for architects serving in leadership and staff roles that shape lasting, functional, affordable, and community-focused public architecture. Guided by principles such as the federal Design Excellence Program, architects understand how to plan and build cities, campuses, and civic spaces that are sustainable, accessible, and built to last. Whether serving directly in the public sector, consulting on public projects, or acting as "Citizen Architects," we have a responsibility to lead, advocate, and contribute our expertise for the public good. We urge our fellow professionals to consider government service and allied roles as a meaningful, impactful, and stable career path.
Rona G. Rothenberg, FAIA, is past president of AIA California and recipient of the AIA 2020 Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture. She is a member of the AIA Project Delivery Committee.
Julia Laue, FAIA, is the City Architect and Bureau Manager for the Bureau for Architecture in San Francisco Public Works. She has held leadership positions on the AlA San Francisco Board and is a past chair of the AIA Public Architects Knowledge Community Advisory Group. She is a member of the AIA Project Delivery Committee.