On September 3, 2025, NCAS president Justin Shubow addressed the fifth National Conservatism Conference on the need to recover a once-central understanding of architecture’s role in public life. His talk, “The Architect as Nation-Builder,” explored how America’s civic ideals were given enduring physical form through the nation’s public architecture.
Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and their successors deliberately turned to the classical tradition to give visible form to the nation’s democratic aspirations. From the Virginia Capitol to the McMillan Plan to the U.S. Supreme Court, they treated architecture as a civic language capable of shaping citizens’ affections and loyalties; a responsibility largely forgotten in today’s official architecture.
Shubow quoted Cass Gilbert, architect of the Supreme Court, on the underlying philosophy of his work:
"It is an inspiration toward patriotism and good citizenship, it encourages just pride in the state, and is an education to on-coming generations to see these things, imponderable elements of life and character, set before the people for their enjoyment and betterment.... It is a symbol of the civilization, culture and ideals of our country."
Shubow commented, "It was Gilbert himself who was responsible for the phrase above the entrance to the Supreme Court: 'Equal justice under law.' Those words have become a famous tag line for the court, but it was the idea of the architect—a true nation-builder."
You can watch the full speech on YouTube.