Reading the pieces on architecture reminded me of an executive order that was drafted earlier this year, titled “Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again.” This order would mandate future federal buildings to be built in the same Greek and Roman inspired style as the White House. While there are genuine criticisms of this order and how it would dampen architectural creativity and dismiss the knowledge and understanding of design and architecture that the experts hold. But some of the comments I heard from people were that they didn’t understand the point of the order, it just seemed like a trivial and wasteful endeavor. But, while I don’t support the order itself, it is not historically unprecedented. Rulers throughout history have used architecture as a means to establish a consistent authority and culture. Architecture has such a strong influence on how we feel in a space. It can inspire, intimidate, calm, and evoke so many more emotions in those who encounter it. This is what occurred in al-Andalus, as various architectural styles conveyed different political meanings as to who was in power, where their power originated, and the values that they hold.
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