Dong Gong, founder and design principal of Beijing-based Vector Architects, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Marcus Prize. This biennial accolade recognizes emerging architectural talent globally and is administered by the School of Architecture & Urban Planning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The announcement marks the 20th anniversary of the Marcus Prize, which was established in 2005 through the support of the Marcus Corporation Foundation.
The Marcus Prize is valued at $100,000, with half awarded directly to the recipient and the other half designated for a collaborative design studio at UWM. This studio will involve architecture students focusing on a project based in Wisconsin. “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,” Gong remarked.
Acknowledgment from an International Jury
Gong was chosen by an international jury comprising esteemed architects and academics, selected from a competitive pool of nominees representing 13 countries across four continents. Jury member Hans E. Butzer praised Vector Architects, stating, “Their work appears to beautifully explore questions of tradition, place, and global drifts, while still being comfortably restless and aspirational.”
The jury also included notable figures such as Juhani Pallasmaa, former professor and dean at the Helsinki University of Technology; Alex Timmer, associate professor at UWM; David Marcus, CEO of Marcus Investments; and Winifred Elysse Newman, dean of the UWM College of the Arts and Architecture.
Recognition of Architectural Excellence
Vector Architects has garnered international acclaim through various noteworthy projects, including the Seashore Library in Qinhuangdao, the Yangshuo Sugarhouse Hotel in Guilin, and the Pingshan Art Museum in Shenzhen. The firm has received numerous accolades, such as the Architects Regional Council Asia Gold Award in 2022 and the Royal Institute of British Architects International Award for Excellence in 2021.
“As we celebrate the 20th year of the Marcus Prize, we are honored to recognize Dong Gong for work that shows how thoughtful, site-specific design can enrich communities around the world,” David Marcus stated. He emphasized that the foundation aims to connect global architectural talent with Milwaukee, fostering collaboration that benefits both the local community and the students at UWM.
In addition to receiving the prize, Gong’s participation will include a public lecture and an exhibition in Milwaukee. He will also co-teach a design studio alongside UWM faculty, providing students with direct access to his expertise and innovative ideas. “I am thrilled to welcome the newest Marcus Prize recipient, Dong Gong, to the university and the city of Milwaukee. We look forward to sharing our rich history and vibrant city,” said Newman.
The Marcus Prize has a long history of honoring influential architects, including Alejandro Aravena and Diébédo Francis Kéré, both of whom later received the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Other past winners include prominent firms and individuals such as MVRDV, Barkow Leibinger, and Ensamble Studio.
With his remarkable vision and commitment to place, material, and human experience, Dong Gong exemplifies the qualities that the Marcus Prize seeks to promote. His collaboration with UWM students is expected to yield innovative architectural ideas that will resonate within Wisconsin and beyond.
