Postmodern gem in London wins 2019 AIA 25-Year Award

Last year, the American Institute of Architects decided for the first time since 1971 to withhold its 25-Year Award, a (supposedly) annual honor given to a building that has proven its significance after approximately 25 years of existence.

We were, in a word, disappointed. By our estimation, there were plenty of buildings built between 1983 and 1993 that were worthy of the accolade, including a handful of postmodern gems.

Photo by Phil Starlin courtesy AIA

Now, postmodernism is getting its due. This year, the AIA granted the 25-Year Award to Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates’ Sainsbury Wing, the columned addition to London’s National Gallery.

The 120,000-square-foot wing elicited mixed reactions when it was completed in 1991. Built from limestone, glass, and metal, the building was stately yet playful, traditional yet modern. Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown designed the wing to live alongside William Wilkins’ original 1893 building, as a modern homage to the past. They didn’t design it to match.

Photo by Matt Wargo courtesy AIA

The Sainsbury Wing has remained largely untouched since its completion and was granted Grade I status, making it one of the U.K.’s most architecturally significant buildings.

Indeed, postmodernism isn’t for everyone, but it still deserves to be considered, critiqued, and, yes, celebrated.