Chinese Architect Liu Jiakun Awarded The 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize

Chinese architect Liu Jiakun won the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize for blending traditional Chinese elements with modern design. His work focuses on cultural heritage, social responsibility, and creating public spaces. 

Chinese architect Liu Jiakun has been awarded the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the highest honour in architecture. The prize recognises his ability to blend traditional Chinese elements with modern design and his commitment to creating buildings that support social equality.

Liu founded Jiakun Architects in 1999 and is the second Chinese architect to win the Pritzker Prize, following Wang Shu in 2012. His work combines cultural heritage with modern urban challenges, using flexible designs to create spaces that serve both individuals and communities.

The award ceremony will be held in the spring of 2025 at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by Jean Nouvel. A global video presentation will follow in autumn, and the 2025 Laureates' Lecture and Symposium will take place in May. Liu now joins other renowned laureates, including Riken Yamamoto (2024), David Chipperfield (2023), and Francis Kéré (2022).

Early Life and Career Development

Liu Jiakun was born in Chengdu, China in 1956. Initially, he pursued painting and literature before moving into architecture. He graduated from the Chongqing Institute of Architecture and Engineering in 1982 and briefly worked at the Chengdu Architectural Design Academy. However, he found the traditional approach to architecture uninspiring.

During the early years of his career, he stepped away from architecture to focus on writing, painting, and meditation while living in Tibet and Xinjiang. His time in literature influenced his belief that architecture should connect deeply with human experience.

In 1993, a visit to an architecture exhibition renewed his interest in the field. Six years later, he founded Jiakun Architects in Chengdu, beginning a practice that focuses on cultural sensitivity, historical awareness, and social responsibility.

Architectural Philosophy and Design Approach

Liu Jiakun does not follow a fixed architectural style. Instead, he focuses on practicality, cultural heritage, and social responsibility. He treats architecture as a method rather than a personal expression, ensuring that every project responds to its location, social context, and purpose.

His designs embrace natural materials and imperfections, allowing for honest craftsmanship. He values local building techniques and works closely with artisans to refine each design before construction.

Liu believes that architecture should be closely tied to its surroundings and should develop naturally rather than being forced. His projects encourage human interaction, strengthen communities, and provide open spaces in crowded cities.

He explains: "Architecture should reveal something—it should abstract, distill, and make visible the inherent qualities of local people. It has the power to shape human behaviour and create atmospheres, offering a sense of serenity and poetry, evoking compassion and mercy, and cultivating a sense of shared community."

Public Space and Urban Development

Liu Jiakun challenges traditional urban planning by promoting spaces where different activities coexist. His projects focus on walkability, accessibility, and shared environments, ensuring that urban density does not lead to isolation.

One of his key projects, Xicun Compound (Chengdu, 2015), is a five-storey mixed-use complex designed as an alternative to high-rise buildings. Instead of rigid zoning, the space allows public and private functions to blend naturally.

His West Village - Basis Yard (2015) creates a layered, social environment that encourages interaction. It features elevated walkways, green terraces, and courtyards, integrating residential, commercial, and cultural spaces into a single structure.

Jury Chair Alejandro Aravena states: "Liu Jiakun has pioneered a new way of living together, where density is no longer the antithesis of openness. His designs embrace and reinforce the lifestyles of their users, creating buildings that are revitalised by the public."

Reinterpreting Chinese Architectural Traditions

Liu Jiakun takes inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture but reimagines historic designs with modern materials and construction techniques. His work ensures that cultural heritage remains relevant in contemporary cities.

For instance, the Suzhou Imperial Kiln Gold Brick Museum (2016) applies traditional pavilion-style design principles in a new way. The Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum (2002) follows the concepts of Chinese gardens, creating a seamless link between buildings and nature.

Instead of copying historical designs, Liu extracts their essential qualities and adapts them to modern urban needs.

Rebirth Bricks and Post-Earthquake Reconstruction

After the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Liu Jiakun launched the "Rebirth Brick" initiative. This project turned earthquake debris into reusable bricks, allowing affected communities to rebuild their homes while preserving their memories.

A major example of this approach is the Hu Huishan Memorial (Chengdu, 2009), a tribute to a 15-year-old girl who died in the earthquake. The project reflects Liu’s belief that architecture can help people heal and remember.

International Recognition and Contributions

Liu Jiakun has gained global recognition. His work has been featured at the Venice Architecture Biennale (2008, 2016) and in solo exhibitions at AEDES Gallery, Berlin (2017). In 2018, he became the first Chinese architect to design the Serpentine Pavilion in Beijing, further establishing his influence.

Beyond architecture, he teaches at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and has lectured at MIT, the Royal College of Art (London), and the City of Architecture and Heritage (Paris). His teaching promotes the use of local knowledge and sustainable techniques, prioritising "appropriate technology" over industrialised high-tech solutions.

Notable Projects

Liu Jiakun has worked on various projects that connect architecture with history, community, and nature. His major works include:

• Grand Canal Hangzhou Steelworks Park - Phase 1 (2025) – A large-scale urban renewal project in Hangzhou.
• The Renovation of Tianbao Cave District, Erlang Town (2020) – A restoration project combining historic preservation with modern design.
• Suzhou Imperial Kiln Gold Brick Museum (2016) – A museum that integrates contemporary architecture with traditional craftsmanship.
• West Village - Basis Yard (2015) – A mixed-use development promoting community life in urban spaces.
• Novartis Shanghai Campus C6 Building (2014) – A corporate building that blends natural elements with an urban environment.
• Hu Huishan Memorial Hall (2009) – A post-earthquake memorial constructed from Rebirth Bricks.
• Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum (2002) – A museum that applies traditional Chinese garden principles to modern design.

Liu Jiakun continues to shape modern architecture, urban development, and sustainable design. His work is deeply rooted in cultural identity, human experience, and collective well-being.

By merging tradition with innovation, he proves that architecture can both reflect history and shape the future. As the 2025 Pritzker Prize Laureate, his work serves as a model for socially responsible, context-driven design.

Shikha Negi

Shikha Negi is a Content Writer at ztudium with expertise in writing and proofreading content. Having created more than 500 articles encompassing a diverse range of educational topics, from breaking news to in-depth analysis and long-form content, Shikha has a deep understanding of emerging trends in business, technology (including AI, blockchain, and the metaverse), and societal shifts, As the author at Sarvgyan News, Shikha has demonstrated expertise in crafting engaging and informative content tailored for various audiences, including students, educators, and professionals.