On the evening of October 19, 2023 local time, the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) awarded Ma Yansong the honor of "Outstanding Architect of the Year" at its annual gala.

This year's gala was held in front of the Disney Concert Hall designed by architect Frank Gehry. College professor and Pritzker Prize winner Thom Mayne and Professor Eric Owen Moss attended the gala.

From left to right:
Phoebe Yee, Co-Chair of SCI-Arc GALA
Hernán Díaz Alonso, President of SCI-Arc
Ma Yansong, Founding Partner of MAD
Byron Merritt, Co-Chair of SCI-Arc GALA

The theme of SCI-Arc 2023 Gala is "Forging the Future"; in addition to raising scholarships, the annual gala also pays tribute to representative designers from different creative fields in the name of SCI-Arc Academy and community.

In his speech presenting the award to Ma Yansong, Hernán Díaz Alonso, the current president of SCI-Arc, said: "Mr. Ma Yansong represents innovative thinking and thinking in the field of architectural design. In addition to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art currently under construction in the United States, people can also feel the power and influence of his architecture in China and other parts of the world. We are honored to congratulate and pay tribute to him as "Architect of the Year."

Ma Yansong said when accepting the honor: "SCI-Arc has always been an engine for talented young pioneers. We are fortunate that we are building such an important project as the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles. I am very happy to join this legendary family of Los Angeles architects."

Photo with Madders on site

About Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)

Located in Los Angeles, SCI-Arc is one of the best architecture schools in the United States and is known for its avant-garde and experimental architecture education. The school is committed to pushing the boundaries of architecture, encouraging academic creativity and critical thinking, while focusing on construction and experimentation, exploring the intersection of architecture, technology and culture, and has therefore gained widespread recognition throughout the United States and even internationally.