Liu Jiakun, an esteemed architect from Chengdu, China, has been announced as the recipient of the 2025 Pritzker Prize – the world’s highest architectural accolade. The decision was announced on 4 March 2025 in Chicago and the official award ceremony will take place in Abu Dhabi this spring. The Pritzker Prize, which has been awarded since 1979, honours artists who make significant contributions to architecture and influence society through their designs. Liu Jiakun, founder of Jiakun Architecture, won the recognition for his innovative approach, combining history, culture and everyday life in urban spaces.
“Architecture should reveal something – distil and make visible the essential qualities of people. It has the power to shape human behaviour, create an atmosphere of serenity and poetry, awaken compassion and cultivate a sense of community,” – says Liu Jiakun.
His works are a fusion of opposites: utopia and the everyday, history and modernity, collectivism and individualism. Liu’s projects are a testament to how space can inspire, build social bonds and elevate the human spirit. The jury emphasised that Liu does not follow one fixed aesthetic, but instead seeks unique solutions in each project, tailored to the context and needs of the users.
“Cities often segregate functions, but Liu Jiakun takes the opposite approach, seeking to combine all dimensions of urban life,” – noted Alejandro Aravena, chairman of the jury and winner of the 2016 Pritzker Prize. “In a time of rapid urbanisation, his work can provide important insights into how to address the challenges of urban development.”
Liu Jiakun, photo courtesy of the Hyatt Foundation/Pritzker Prize
Liu Jiakun’s key projects
Liu designs public spaces in densely populated cities where the luxury of open space is rare. He creates architecture that fosters social inclusion, giving multifunctional character to buildings and urban spaces. Famous projects by the Pritzker 2025 winner include:
– West Village (Chengdu, 2015), a five-storey complex that contrasts with the tall buildings of the surrounding neighborhood. The open yet confined space combines cultural, sports, leisure and office functions. Its layout is reminiscent of a micro-city, where pedestrians and cyclists can move freely along gently sloping paths, surrounded by greenery and rest areas. The design encourages social interaction and redefines the use of urban spaces.
– The Department of Sculpture at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (Chongqing, 2004) – a building whose upper floors extend outwards, maximising usable space. This design not only optimises the limited space, but also creates a dynamic form, alluding to the sculptural nature of the institution. Visible traces of traditional Chongqing sand plastering highlight the building’s artisanal precision and authenticity.
– Suzhou Imperial Kiln Brick Museum (Suzhou, 2016) – a project inspired by the historic imperial brick-making technique used in the construction of the Forbidden City. The walls of the museum expose the raw texture of the materials, showing traces of the manufacturing process, which pays homage to the craftsmanship precision of the old masters. With subtle interior lighting and a harmonious fit with its surroundings, the building captures the spirit of Chinese tradition while still being a modern exhibition space.
– Renovation of the Tianbao Cave District (Luzhou, 2021) – a project integrated with the surrounding nature, in which the buildings appear to grow out of the landscape. The transformation of the natural caves into usable spaces respected the local ecosystem, and the structures were designed to blend in with the rocky surroundings. Liu used materials sourced from the region, reinforcing the authentic character of the site and emphasising the importance of harmony between man and nature.
Philosophy and materials of the Pritzker 2025 winner
His approach to architecture is based on authenticity of materials and traditional craftsmanship. In his designs, he avoids standard, industrial solutions, preferring local raw materials that support the local economy and environment. An example is the use of ‘revival bricks’ – a material created from the rubble of buildings destroyed by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, reinforced with local wheat fibre and cement.
“Liu Jiakun lifts spirits through his projects, building emotional connections between communities,” – said Tom Pritzker, chairman of The Hyatt Foundation, funder of the award. “There is a profound wisdom hidden in his work that combines history, materials and nature into a symbiotic whole.”
Liu Jiakun is the 54th recipient of the Pritzker Prize. His work spans more than four decades working on academic, cultural, public and commercial projects across China. The official award ceremony will be held in Abu Dhabi this spring, with an online ceremony available in the autumn. There will also be an open-to-the-public meeting with the award winner in May, which can be followed live and online.
Source: pritzkerprize.com
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