The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently selected the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Metrorail system to receive the 2014 AIA Twenty-five Year Award.

This honor recognizes architectural design of enduring significance, which has stood the test of time by embodying architectural excellence for 25 to 35 years.

AIA will present the award in June at its national convention in Chicago, home city of Metro’s architect, the late Harry Weese, FAIA.

The system contains 86 stations—underground, at-grade, and elevated—on five lines covering 106 miles. Common elements in Metro stations include escalators from street level in circular tunnels, mezzanine platforms with fare gates, and station platforms below high vaulted ceilings designed with rectangular coffers.