Liu Jiakun wins the 2025 Pritzker Prize: The Architect of People and Place

Preview

Great architecture isn't just about steel, glass, and concrete—it's about people. And that's precisely what Liu Jiakun has spent his career perfecting. Named the 2025 Pritzker Prize winner, the Chinese architect has built more than just structures; he has shaped communities, honouring tradition while embracing the future. His work is rooted in culture, storytelling, and an innate understanding of space—not as a commodity but as a shared experience. From earthquake memorials to urban sanctuaries, Liu's designs prove that architecture isn't just about what we see but how we feel.


A career shaped by history

Born in 1956 in Chengdu, China, Liu's early years were marked by significant political and social upheaval. At just 17, he was sent to the countryside as part of China's "educated youth" movement, a historical chapter that shaped his deep connection to community and place. His journey into architecture wasn't linear—he first dabbled in literature before founding Jiakun Architects in 1999, where his passion for storytelling found a new medium: buildings.

Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum in Chengdu

 

Blending tradition with modernity

Liu's work stands out for its ability to honour the past while pushing forward. He doesn't chase spectacle or grandiosity; his designs are deeply rooted in local culture, often using regional materials and techniques. His projects seamlessly incorporate traditional Chinese architectural elements—courtyards, walled enclosures, and open-air spaces—reimagined in ways that speak to contemporary life. His approach is thoughtful, restrained, and always with a sense of purpose: to serve the people who will live, work, and interact within these spaces.

 A career shaped by history

Born in 1956 in Chengdu, China, Liu's early years were marked by significant political and social upheaval. At just 17, he was sent to the countryside as part of China's "educated youth" movement, a historical chapter that shaped his deep connection to community and place. His journey into architecture wasn't linear—he first dabbled in literature before founding Jiakun Architects in 1999, where his passion for storytelling found a new medium: buildings.

Department of Sculpture, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute

 

Blending tradition with modernity

Liu's work stands out for its ability to honour the past while pushing forward. He doesn't chase spectacle or grandiosity; his designs are deeply rooted in local culture, often using regional materials and techniques. His projects seamlessly incorporate traditional Chinese architectural elements—courtyards, walled enclosures, and open-air spaces—reimagined in ways that speak to contemporary life. His approach is thoughtful, restrained, and always with a sense of purpose: to serve the people who will live, work, and interact within these spaces.

 

Designing for people, not just for aesthetics

One of Liu's best-known works, the West Village in Chengdu, is a perfect example of his philosophy in action. Completed in 2015, this mixed-use development isn't just a collection of buildings—it's a carefully crafted ecosystem. With terraced landscapes, open public spaces, and areas designed for organic social interaction, the project fosters a sense of belonging in an increasingly fast-paced urban environment.

Novartis Shanghai Campus Block C6

 

Similarly, his Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum, completed in 2002, isn't just a space to house Buddhist relics—it's an experience. Visitors enter through a bridge suspended over water, with the museum seamlessly blending into its natural surroundings. It's a nod to classical Chinese gardens, where architecture and nature exist in harmony rather than competition.

 

Building for memory and meaning

Liu's designs are often deeply personal and emotionally charged. Following the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake, he designed a simple yet powerful grey shed in memory of a young girl who lost her life in the disaster. The structure, with its soft pink interior and permanently open door, became a tribute not just to her but to the tens of thousands who perished. In these quiet, reflective moments of his work, Liu's true impact is felt as an architect and a storyteller of human experience.

Suzhou Imperial Kiln Ruins Park & Museum of Imperial Kiln Brick

 

Global influence, local soul

Despite his growing global reputation, Liu's work has always remained deeply tied to its cultural roots. His designs have been showcased at the Venice Architecture Biennale and Berlin's AEDES Gallery. At the same time, his 2018 commission for the inaugural Serpentine Pavilion in Beijing cemented his influence on the international stage. Yet, his work never loses sight of its primary focus—real people, real spaces, real stories.

Suzhou Museum of Imperial Kiln Brick

 

A prize well deserved

The Pritzker Prize jury recognised Liu for his ability to shape contemporary and timeless architecture that is forward-thinking yet firmly grounded in tradition. They praised his ability to create spaces "free from aesthetic constraint," built with intelligence, cultural awareness, and a deep sense of responsibility.

 

Liu Jiakun's work reminds us that architecture isn't just about what we build but why we build it. His projects are not just blueprints on paper but living, breathing spaces that foster connection, reflection, and meaning. In a world that often prizes spectacle over substance, Liu's win is a quiet yet powerful statement: the best architecture is not just seen but felt.

The Renovation of Tianbao Cave District of Erlang Town

 

Designing for people, not just for aesthetics

One of Liu's best-known works, the West Village in Chengdu, is a perfect example of his philosophy in action. Completed in 2015, this mixed-use development isn't just a collection of buildings—it's a carefully crafted ecosystem. With terraced landscapes, open public spaces, and areas designed for organic social interaction, the project fosters a sense of belonging in an increasingly fast-paced urban environment.

 

Similarly, his Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum, completed in 2002, isn't just a space to house Buddhist relics—it's an experience. Visitors enter through a bridge suspended over water, with the museum seamlessly blending into its natural surroundings. It's a nod to classical Chinese gardens, where architecture and nature exist in harmony rather than competition.

 

Building for memory and meaning

Liu's designs are often deeply personal and emotionally charged. Following the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake, he designed a simple yet powerful grey shed in memory of a young girl who lost her life in the disaster. The structure, with its soft pink interior and permanently open door, became a tribute not just to her but to the tens of thousands who perished. In these quiet, reflective moments of his work, Liu's true impact is felt as an architect and a storyteller of human experience.

West Village in Chengdu

 

Global influence, local soul

Despite his growing global reputation, Liu's work has always remained deeply tied to its cultural roots. His designs have been showcased at the Venice Architecture Biennale and Berlin's AEDES Gallery. At the same time, his 2018 commission for the inaugural Serpentine Pavilion in Beijing cemented his influence on the international stage. Yet, his work never loses sight of its primary focus—real people, real spaces, real stories.

 

A prize well deserved

The Pritzker Prize jury recognised Liu for his ability to shape contemporary and timeless architecture that is forward-thinking yet firmly grounded in tradition. They praised his ability to create spaces "free from aesthetic constraint," built with intelligence, cultural awareness, and a deep sense of responsibility.

 

Liu Jiakun's work reminds us that architecture isn't just about what we build but why we build it. His projects are not just blueprints on paper but living, breathing spaces that foster connection, reflection, and meaning. In a world that often prizes spectacle over substance, Liu's win is a quiet yet powerful statement: the best architecture is not just seen but felt.


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