This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Committee on Design and Housing Knowledge Community .
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The essence of this issue is not whether or not any one of us individually "likes" or supports the proposed design for the memorial - the far, far greater issue is whether Congress is going to legislate design. To paraphrase two of the most valuable precepts of Daniel Patrick Moynihan's Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture are:
1. There is no approved Federal "style"
2. Design excellence must flow from the profession to the government - not the reverse.
The independence of the design selection, review and direction process once the project budget has been set by Congress has to be rigorously defended in order to protect the entire Design Excellence program. It is essential to remember that the design for the single most beautiful and now beloved memorial on the Capitol Mall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, did not meet with the veteran associations approval at the time it was selected and constructed.
Independent judgement of design excellence is a principle that the AIA should - no must - defend rigorously. I thank the Board and Mr. Ivy for taking a stand in defense of design.
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Kate Diamond FAIA, LEED AP
Principal in Charge
HMC Architects
Los Angeles CA
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