The Petersen Automotive Museum debuted its new look in 2015 in Los Angeles’ Mid-Wilshire District, and to say critics had a field day with it would be an understatement. 

The Kohn Pedersen Fox design, which added a red aluminum screen covered by a series of stainless steel ribbons, was meant to evoke speed and the curves of an automobile. Curbed LA called it “The Guy Fieri of buildings.” Kevin Roderick of L.A. Observed said it was "different and kind of hideous." Art critic William Poundstone wondered if the design was "too Vegas for the Pritzker-ified Museum Mile?"

Photo by David Pena / CC BY-SA

Beauty is subjective, however, and the museum was just named one of the best new buildings designed by American architects by the 2017 American Architecture Awards. According to the Chicago Athenaeum, a nonprofit research institute that is one of the organizations behind the awards, the new design “transforms the Petersen building into one of the most significant and unforgettable structures in Los Angeles.” 

It was actually one of six buildings honored by the American Architecture Awards. Other honorees include the under-construction Main Museum of Los Angeles Art, West Hollywood showroom for Blue Dot, Colorado Esplanade in Santa Monica, Trousdale Estates home “Mirrorhouse,” and Hide Out, the Sawtelle Frank Gehry home redesigned by Dan Brunn.