Founder and Design Principal
Vector ArchitectsDONG Gong founded Vector Architects in 2008, developing a globally acclaimed spatial design practice defined by a sensitive engagement with context and tectonic rigor. As a Foreign Member of the French Academy of Architecture, he has contributed extensively to architectural education through design studios at Tsinghua University and the Central Academy of Fine Arts, alongside visiting professorships at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Polytechnic University of Turin. His practice is celebrated for landmark projects such as the Seashore Library, the Seashore Chapel, and the Yangshuo Sugar House, while selected works by Vector Architects have been featured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Venice Biennale. His contributions continue to earn international distinction, including the Marcus Prize for Architecture and the RIBA International Award for Excellence, alongside extensive feature coverage in leading publications such as AV Monographs and Architecture and Urbanism.
Founder
André Fu Studio
Renowned Hong Kong-based interior designer and architect André FU has established himself on the global stage by revolutionising modern luxury with a signature style that seamlessly blends cultural sensibilities, art, and craftsmanship.
For the past fifteen years, his vision has drawn equally on European principles of beauty and Oriental qualities to create timeless and resonant spaces. His influential portfolio includes iconic hospitality projects such as The Upper House in Hong Kong, the Waldorf Astoria in Osaka, and most recently, the Dusit Thani reopened in Bangkok and Capella Taipei. His collaborations extend to furniture for Louis Vuitton's Objets Nomades and his own lifestyle brand, André Fu Living.
He has also received numerous awards, including Designer of the Year by Maison & Objet Asia, “Interior Designer of the Year” by Elle Décor China, Robb Report’s Icon of Luxury and the AHEAD Special Contribution Award.
The DFA Designer of the Year 2025 honours André FU for his unique vision that masterfully weaves together culture, craft and opulence. He is celebrated for creating a universe of iconic, cross-cultural spaces that are shaping the present and defining the future of modern luxury. Through his holistic practice, FU is establishing a new design chronology, offering a profoundly resonant aesthetic language that speaks to our moment and signals what is to come.
Founder and CEO
NOSIGNER
Eisuke Tachikawa, founder of NOSIGNER, is a design visionary dedicated to addressing global social issues such as climate change and disaster prevention through his work. His concept of "Evolutional Creativity", which draws parallels between biological evolution and the creative process, has garnered him over 100 design awards, including two DFA Grand Awards.
Since 2021, Tachikawa has served as the youngest President of Japan Industrial Design Association (JIDA) and was elected to the Board of World Design Organization (WDO) in 2023. He has been instrumental in redefining the role of design in solving real-world problems. His notable projects include Japan pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka and “DESIGNS FOR THE NEXT 100YEARS” further showcases his commitment to creating positive social impact. His publications, “Evolutional Creativity” and “Design and Innovation”, highlight his thought on leadership in sustainable design.
The DFA Designer of the Year 2024 honours Eisuke Tachikawa for his innovative approach to design as a tool for societal change. His work challenges conventional thinking, offering hope and solutions for a better, more sustainable future.
