Dong Gong, founder and design principal at Beijing-based Vector Architects, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Marcus Prize for Architecture. This accolade, recognized as one of the foremost international awards for emerging architectural talent, is administered biennially by the School of Architecture & Urban Planning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). The prize, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, includes a total grant of $100,000, with $50,000 awarded directly to the recipient and an additional $50,000 allocated to support a collaborative design studio at UWM focusing on a project based in Wisconsin.
Gong expressed his gratitude, stating, “We believe in crafting specific architecture for a specific place and a specific way of life. The Marcus Prize is a profound encouragement for us to persist.” His selection came from an international jury that evaluated a pool of nominees from 13 countries across four continents.
Acknowledgment from Industry Experts
The jury, which included notable figures such as Hans E. Butzer, remarked on the significance of Gong’s work. “Vector Architects offers a statement about the value of the architect and of architecture to our contemporary condition,” Butzer noted. He highlighted how their designs explore themes of tradition and place while remaining aspirational. Other jury members included Juhani Pallasmaa, a former professor and dean at Helsinki University of Technology, and David Marcus, CEO of Marcus Investments.
Gong’s architectural practice has received global recognition for projects such as the Seashore Library in Qinhuangdao, the Yangshuo Sugarhouse Hotel in Guilin, and the Pingshan Art Museum in Shenzhen, among others. Over the years, Vector Architects has amassed various accolades, including the Architects Regional Council Asia Gold Award in 2022 and the Royal Institute of British Architects International Award for Excellence in 2021.
Impact on Education and Community
As the Marcus Prize celebrates its 20th year, David Marcus emphasized the award’s role in connecting global architectural talent with Milwaukee and its educational institutions. “We are honored to recognize Dong Gong for work that shows how thoughtful, site-specific design can enrich communities around the world,” he said. The collaboration between Gong and UWM students is anticipated to yield innovative ideas that could have a lasting impact on both Wisconsin and the broader architectural landscape.
One of the key elements of the Marcus Prize is its commitment to integrating design excellence with education. Gong will visit Milwaukee for a public lecture and exhibition, and he will co-teach a design studio in partnership with UWM faculty. This initiative will provide students with invaluable access to world-class architectural talent.
“I am thrilled to welcome the newest Marcus Prize recipient, Dong Gong, to the university and the city of Milwaukee,” said Winifred Elysse Newman, dean of the UWM College of the Arts and Architecture. “The Marcus Prize is one of the most significant awards given by a university in the United States, allowing our local community to engage with the global design community.”
The Marcus Prize has a history of honoring influential architects, including Alejandro Aravena and Diébédo Francis Kéré, both of whom later received the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. Past recipients also include notable firms and architects such as MVRDV, Barkow Leibinger, and Ensamble Studio.
Dong Gong’s recognition reflects not only his individual achievements but also the global dialogue on architecture’s role in shaping communities and environments. As the architectural community looks forward to the outcomes of this collaboration, the energy surrounding the 2025 Marcus Prize continues to inspire future generations of architects.
