The 2021 Weitzman School Awards

Join us for the 2021 Weitzman School Awards to celebrate the achievements of visionary Weitzman students, faculty, and alumni, as well as leaders in architecture and planning outside of our community -- while building support for the next generation.

About the Awards:

The Kanter Tritsch Prize in Energy and Architectural Innovation and the Kanter Tritsch Medal in Architecture 

Beikel Jose Rivas (MArch'22), Prize Recipient
MASS Design Group, Medal Recipient

Established in 2017 by a generous gift from Weitzman School of Design alumna Lori Kanter Tritsch and Penn Trustee and Wharton alumnus William P. Lauder, the Kanter Tritsch Prize is awarded annually to a second-year Master of Architecture student in the form of a $50,000 scholarship, which covers the bulk of tuition and fees in the final year of study. Every year, the Weitzman School of Design also awards a medal to a practicing architect or architects for leadership in energy and architectural innovation. This year’s medal is awarded to MASS Design Group, whose mission is to research, build, and advocate for architecture that promotes justice and human dignity.

The Witte-Sakamoto Family Prize and Medal in City and Regional Planning

Xuezhu (Gillian) Zhao (MCP'22), Prize Recipient
Minneapolis 2040, Medal Recipient

Established in 2018 by a generous gift from Weitzman School of Design alumnus Bill Witte and his wife Keiko Sakamoto, the Witte-Sakamoto Family Prize provides a $50,000 scholarship, awarded annually to a student entering their final year in the Master of City and Regional Planning program, which covers the bulk of tuition and fees in the final year of study. In conjunction with the prize, the School presents an annual medal to a firm, team, or professional for an exemplary plan that advances plan-making in at least four of the following areas: social equity, environmental quality, design, public health, mobility, housing affordability and economic development. This year’s medal is awarded to the City of Minneapolis for Minneapolis 2040, a comprehensive plan to guide the city’s growth.

To become a sponsor and to learn more about the event, please visit the Weitzman Awards website. All proceeds from this event will support scholarships in architecture and city and regional planning.

If you require any accessibility accommodation, such as live captioning, audio description, or a sign language interpreter, please email news@design.upenn.edu to let us know what you need. Please note, we require at least 48 hours’ notice. If you register within 48 hours of this event, we won’t be able to secure the appropriate accommodations.