Liu Jiakun is the winner of the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize

The architect Liu Jiakun, originally from Chengdu, People's Republic of China, has been announced as the winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize 2025, the most prestigious international honor in architecture. With a career spanning over four decades and more than thirty significant projects, Liu is distinguished for his unique approach that intertwines culture, history, and nature, focusing on creating spaces that nurture community life. The Pritzker Prize is awarded annually to an architect who has made notable contributions to the practice of architecture. The selection is made by a renowned jury that assesses the coherence and quality of the candidates' work, considering their ability to inspire and innovate in the field of architecture. Liu was highlighted for a work that, according to the jury, "imagines and builds new worlds," free from aesthetic constraints, with an approach that respects the specificities of each project.

Liu Jiakun's architecture is characterized by harmony between cultural, historical, emotional, and social dimensions, seeking to forge communities and evoke feelings of compassion and solidarity. He creates public areas in densely populated cities, where space is scarce, fostering a positive relationship between urbanization and open spaces. A notable example is West Village in Chengdu, a complex that contrasts with the surrounding mid- and high-rise buildings and integrates cultural, recreational, and commercial activities in a vibrant environment accessible to the public. In addition to his innovations in civic projects, Liu harmonizes architecture with nature, reinterpreting classics of Chinese architecture in his works. Projects like the Stone Sculpture Art Museum of Luyeyuan and the Suzhou Museum of Imperial Kiln Brick demonstrate his reverence for traditions. With a commitment to sustainability, he often employs local materials and artisanal techniques, such as the "rebirth bricks" created from debris and recycled materials. This focus on sustainability reflects his philosophy that architecture should resonate with history and the projects natural, promoting a deeper understanding of the human relationship with space. Liu's career, which founded Jiakun Architecture in 1999, encompasses not only academic and cultural projects but also significant achievements in urban planning and commercial buildings. With the award, Liu Jiakun becomes the 54th laureate of the Pritzker Prize, which will be celebrated in a ceremony in Abu Dhabi. His contribution to modern architecture not only challenges contemporary norms but also enriches the dialogue on how to build a more cohesive and connected future.