Writing for Dezeen, the publication’s editor Tom Ravenscroft interviewed me at length in a January 29, 2025 piece on Trump’s directives re federal architecture:
[Shubow] described architects’ responses as “hysterical” and claimed that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is “arguing in bad faith”.
“The modernist architects have to understand the world is not coming to an end,” said Shubow. “I mean, would it be so bad if there’s special regard for classical, traditional architecture?” . . .
Rather than setting a new direction for US civic architecture, Shubow argues that the executive order merely signals a return to classical styles after an interruption of modernism.
“We believe that traditional architecture is unparalleled in its beauty, its legibility and its appreciation by the common man,” he said. “Essentially, classical architecture is the architecture of American democracy, going back to the founding fathers.”
“What are the buildings you think of when you think of the US government?” he continued. “It’s the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Federal Triangle. These are all classical buildings.” . . .
Shubow, who is reportedly being considered for the official position of chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, expects subsequent orders to mandate that a classical option for new federal buildings is put forward.
“I think the way this will work out when there’s a new executive order and perhaps other directives, is that there will be substantial public input with some kind of requirement that the public be presented with classical and traditional alternatives.”