I believe that our Historic Preservation Architects Team's efforts to encourage the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to file suit against this administration to save our built historic heritage has finally worked!
I'd like to thank Illya Azaroff, AIA's 2026 President and the AIA's Executive Board and AIA staff for this action to file a lawsuit to protect the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts! I can once again say that I'm a proud member of the AIA and that I support this effort to stop this regime from continuing to destroy our heritage. And I'm proud to be running for the AIA At-Large Director's position with the National AIA and will continue to fight the destruction of our built heritage.
We must be vigilant and continue to fight back against the destruction of our historic buildings and structures. I still encourage the AIA to file an amicus brief with The National Trust for Historic Preservation in their lawsuit against this administration's destruction of the East Wing of the People's House and the impending atrocious ballroom. Also, we the AIA should step it up to protect our profession in response to this administration's efforts to demote our profession as to something less than professional. Additionally, we the AIA should file suit to stop Trump's efforts to erect an out-of-scale, out-of-place and out-of-time Arc to commemorate himself that dwarfs the existing historic buildings and monuments around it. The AIA has filed suit against this administration in coalition with The National Trust for Historic Preservation (of which I've been a member of for 50 years and encouraged to take "definitive action" last fall prior to their lawsuit against this administration); Society of Architectural Historians (of which I'm a member); the DC Preservation League; and Cultural Heritage Partners as well as others. The AIA should file an amicus brief to support the DC Preservation League's and Cultural Heritage Partners' lawsuit against this administration on their planned whitewashing of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (on which I am an Expert Witness on their lawsuit).
There are federally owned historic structures throughout the United States that are threatened by the current administration that we need to support in their preservation rather than their demolition. One such building is the historic Cohen Federal Building in DC which has artwork that honors the achievement of American Women. The administration's attempt to white wash our black and brown people's, women's, Jewish people's, Alaska Native's and Native American's, LGBT+'s, and other minorities histories must be challenged whenever and wherever it occurs.
The battle against this administration continues and in the end I think we will win the war to save and protect our built historic heritage. If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
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Samuel Duff Combs, AIA, NCARB
Combs & Combs, AIA, Architecture, Interiors, Art
Architect/Owner
Anchorage, AK
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-24-2026 01:42 PM
From: Michael Lewallen, AIA
Subject: AIA Legal Action Regarding the John F. Kennedy Center
AIA
This is great news. We must fight back against the destruction of our cultural resources. These buildings belong to all Americans, the AIA and others must hear their voices and act to stop this abuse of power.
Sincerely
Michael
Lewallen Architecture LLC
Michael Lewallen, AIA
319 NE Cedar St
Camas, WA 98607
503 319 3460
Original Message:
Sent: 3/23/2026 2:22:00 PM
From: Elisa Skaggs, AIA
Subject: AIA Legal Action Regarding the John F. Kennedy Center
Today, the AIA joined a group of preservation and architecture organizations in filing suit to protect the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This legal action is about upholding a process that gives architects, preservation experts, and the public a voice when nationally significant architecture is altered.
Please check your inboxes for additional information.
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Elisa Skaggs AIA
Page & Turnbull, Inc.
San Rafael CA
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