MADISON, Wis. — August 3, 2026— AIA Wisconsin is proud to announce that the Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI has been selected as the recipient of the organization’s inaugural 25 Year Award, recognizing a Wisconsin architectural project that has demonstrated lasting impact, enduring relevance, and continued excellence more than 25 years after its completion. 

Completed in 1984, the Haggerty Museum of Art was designed by architecture firms  Ford, Powell & Carson (San Antonio) and Kahler Slater  (Milwaukee). The project was originally led by renowned architect O’Neil Ford, FAIA, with David Kahler, FAIA, guiding the project through completion following Ford’s passing in 1982.  Kahler, who passed away earlier this year, was also responsible for numerous notable Wisconsin landmarks, including the restoration of the Wisconsin State Capitol and the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Bradley Wing addition and Quadracci Pavilion. 

The Haggerty Museum of Art is distinguished by a design that balances modernist principles with contextual sensitivity. The building features a sculptural copper-clad roof that references the Neo-Gothic architecture found throughout the Marquette University campus while bringing carefully controlled natural light into gallery spaces. Organized around flexible exhibition environments and intuitive circulation, the museum has successfully accommodated evolving exhibitions, technologies and educational needs while maintaining its architectural identity. 

“For over 40 years, the Haggerty Museum of Art has been an important cultural asset for Milwaukee, demonstrating how thoughtful design can strengthen institutions and their communities,” said Al Krueger, AIA, Chief Executive Officer of Kahler Slater and nominator of the project. “We are honored to see this project recognized by AIA Wisconsin, particularly as we remember David Kahler.  His leadership helped bring the museum to reality and his design legacy continues to shape the fabric of our city. The museum’s design has stood the test of time because it continues to create meaningful experiences for the people who learn, gather, and connect there. Its continued relevance is a powerful reminder that great architecture has the power to enrich life for generations.” 

The project was selected by a distinguished jury of AIA Wisconsin architect members: Stacey Z. Keller, AIA, NCARB (Senior Architect at InSite Consulting Architects & 2026 AIA WI President); Lisa L. Kennedy, FAIA (2026-27 Treasurer at American Institute of Architects); Chris Rute, AIA RIBA (Principal at CR Design & Adjunct Professor at UWM’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning); and Jessica Timmer, AIA (SVP & Residential Practice Leader at RINKA). Juror Chris Rute, AIA RIBA, noted the building’s remarkable ability to evolve while remaining true to its original design intent. 

“Over time, the building has demonstrated a high degree of spatial and functional adaptability, accommodating exhibits with markedly different curatorial and presentation requirements. While it could have been executed as a simple opaque volume with all activity contained internally, its exterior articulation conveys intentional refinement, and its massing, detailing, and formal vocabulary clearly reflect the post-modern influences of its era.” 

As the inaugural recipient of the 25 Year Award, the Haggerty Museum of Art will be honored for its architectural legacy and continued influence on Wisconsin’s built environment at the 2026 AIA Wisconsin Design Awards Gala on October 2, 2026, at The Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee. Members of the architecture community and the public alike are invited to attend.