Chinese architect Liu Jiakun has been named the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, the highest honour in the field of architecture.
Based in Chengdu, Liu is celebrated for his thoughtful, human-centred designs that draw deeply from the cultural and material traditions of his native Sichuan province. He became the second Chinese architect to receive the award, following Wang Shu in 2012.
The Pritzker jury highlighted Liu’s ability to reinterpret Chinese traditions in a forward-looking way, using them as a foundation for innovation rather than mere homage. His designs serve multiple roles—acting as historical archives, public infrastructure, landscapes, and community gathering spaces. From museums and universities to urban districts, Liu’s work stands apart from the grand, often imposing structures that dominate contemporary Chinese architecture. Instead, his buildings blend seamlessly into their surroundings, creating spaces that feel both timeless and deeply connected to their context.
One of Liu’s most acclaimed projects, West Village in Chengdu, perfectly embodies his design philosophy. This five-story mixed-use complex is a vertical neighbourhood with interconnected walkways, ramps, and open-air plazas weaving shops, restaurants, and sports facilities into a vibrant, multi-level public space. Its popularity, however, briefly led to its undoing: when 9,000 people crowded onto the rooftop promenade in a single day, authorities temporarily closed access. The space has since reopened, serving as a thriving hub for the community.
Liu’s work also reflects a strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In the aftermath of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, he introduced the concept of “rebirth bricks,” using rubble mixed with wheat fibre to rebuild devastated areas. More recently, his projects have focused on revitalizing historic sites and transforming industrial spaces into vibrant cultural and community centres, such as a 45-hectare former steelworks in Hangzhou. These efforts underscore his belief in architecture as a bridge between the past and the present.
“I aspire to be like water,” Liu once said, “to flow into a place without imposing a fixed form.” This philosophy resonates throughout his work, which remains deeply rooted in its surroundings while quietly redefining what architecture can achieve.
The Pritzker Architecture Prize was established by the Pritzker family of Chicago in 1979. Known as the “Nobel Prize of Architecture,” the award is conferred annually by the Hyatt Foundation to a living architect whose built work demonstrates a combination of talent, vision, and commitment, resulting in significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture. A jury of independent experts, including architects, critics, and scholars, select the laureate each year.
The jury evaluates all nominees’ work, not just one project. The prize was established to acknowledge the transformative effect of architecture on society, celebrating those who extend the boundaries of design and accommodate the needs of people and the earth. Laureates receive a bronze medallion, a $100,000 grant, and international acknowledgement of their achievements. Over the years, the award has honoured a diverse range of architects, from modernists like Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry to regionalists such as Wang Shu and Balkrishna Doshi, reflecting the global and inclusive nature of the prize.
The Pritzker Prize, the highest honour in architecture and the very top of architectural dreams is awarded yearly to the most talented and influential architects. These people shape our way of living, working, and interacting with the environment.