The Anderson Collection at Stanford University has won a 2015 Award of Excellence, the highest level of honor, from the American Institute of Architects, New York State (AIANY).

Designed by RICHARD OLCOTT/Ennead Architects, the building housing the collection is located in the heart of Stanford’s arts district. The Anderson Collection at Stanford University celebrates its first anniversary this month.

The collection, a gift from Harry W. and Mary Margaret Anderson and Mary Patricia Anderson Pence, and is one of the world’s most outstanding private assemblies of modern and contemporary American art.

AIANY has recognized outstanding works of architecture through its annual Design Awards Program each year since 1968, celebrating achievements in design excellence by New York State architects, and honoring the architects, clients and consultants who work together to create and enhance our built environment.

JASON LINETZKY, director of the Anderson Collection, reflects on how the building design supports the art collection: “The play of natural light within the space, the intimate scale of the galleries and the chance glances afforded by the open layout seem to make the artwork sing. Ennead did a remarkable job creating an accessible, warm and welcoming environment as one would experience upon visiting the collection at the Andersons’ home. And in so doing, they gave all of us – the university and broader communities – the opportunity to closely and deeply engage with the collection in its new home.”