AIA joins a broad coalition of leading preservation and architecture groups to protect the Kennedy Center

Case summary

AIA joined a broad coalition of leading preservation and architecture groups to file a lawsuit in federal district court in Washington, D.C. AIA took this step to require the administration to comply with historic preservation laws and secure permission from Congress before implementing plans to alter the John F. Kennedy Center. 

The filing follows statements indicating that the building may soon be taken "down to the steel" during a two-year period of closure beginning July 4, 2026. This raised immediate concerns about irreversible decisions being made without public review and professional input. 

This case is about ensuring the government follows federal law before major demolition or alterations occur. This case is framed entirely around legal process and the rule of law, not aesthetics or politics. We agree that maintenance and upgrades to mechanical systems are necessary. However, we seek to halt fundamental redesign activities and the destruction of defining architectural elements until the government completes required public review and consultation processes. 

Federal laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) exist to ensure transparency, public participation, and careful review before taking actions that cannot be undone. 

AIA's commitment to preservation

Preservation has long been a core part of AIA’s mission. Architects are trained to approach the built environment as stewards. Architects balance the need for change with the responsibility to protect public institutions. The profession’s responsibility to safeguard architecture and the public places it shapes compelled AIA to take action to ensure a lawful process occurs. 

Resources

• News release – Read the official announcement regarding the coalition's legal action to ensure transparency, public review, and adherence to established preservation processes.
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ) – Find detailed answers from Cultural Heritage Partners about why this step was taken, what the lawsuit seeks, and the importance of federal review processes.
• AIA’s history of preservation – Learn more about AIA's century-long commitment to safeguarding the nation's architectural heritage.

Coalition partners

AIA joined a broad coalition of leading preservation and architecture groups to file this lawsuit. In addition to AIA, the organizations involved include: 

• DC Preservation League
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation  
• Docomomo US
• The Committee of 100 on the Federal City
• The Society of Architectural Historians (SAH)
• The Cultural Landscape Foundation
• American Society of Landscape Architects