The Pritzker Prize 2025, the most prestigious award in the field of architecture, was awarded to the Chinese architect Liu Jiakun . This award celebrates his extraordinary contribution to the world of architecture, characterized by a humanistic approach, the use of local materials and an aesthetics of imperfection that integrates perfectly with the urban and social context. But who is Liu Jiakun? And why did the Pritzker jury decide to award him this year?
Who is Liu Jiakun?
Liu Jiakun was born in 1956 in Chengdu, in the Chinese province of Sichuan. After graduating with a degree in architectural engineering from the Chongqing Institute of Architecture and Engineering in 1982, he began his career at the Chengdu Architectural Research and Design Institute. However, his real turning point came in 1999 , when he founded his studio Jiakun Architects . Since then, he has completed over 30 projects in China, working on public spaces, academic institutions, museums and residential projects.
Why did Liu Jiakun win the 2025 Pritzker Prize?
The Pritzker Prize jury recognized in Liu Jiakun an architectural vision that transcends formal style and focuses on the human experience of space . His work is notable for:
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Humanistic approach Liu designs spaces that respond to the needs of the community, integrating people into the urban fabric.
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Sustainability and local materials Uses traditional Chinese techniques and materials to create buildings with low environmental impact.
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Post-disaster resilience After the Sichuan earthquake in 2008, he developed the Rebirth Brick Project , transforming rubble into building materials.
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Aesthetics of imperfection His buildings are never static or monumental, but adapt to the context and seem to grow organically in the landscape.
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Innovation without technological excess Unlike many contemporary architects, he does not focus on hypertechnology, but on solutions that favor daily life and sociality.
Liu Jiakun’s most iconic projects
West Village Basis Yard, Chengdu (2015)
One of his most famous works, the West Village Basis Yard , is an example of how Liu Jiakun conceives architecture as an extension of everyday life. This urban complex includes commercial, cultural and recreational spaces, designed to promote community life in a densely populated urban environment.
Luyeyuan Sculpture Museum (2002)
Located in Sichuan province, this museum houses a private collection of Buddhist sculptures. The building is inspired by traditional Chinese gardens, using sinuous paths and natural materials to create a contemplative experience for visitors.
Rebirth Brick Project (2008)
After the devastating earthquake ofSichuan, Liu Jiakun has created an innovative project for the recovery of rubble, transforming it into reusable bricks for new buildings. This project not only contributed to reconstruction, but also demonstrated the importance of architecture in social resilience.
Mulan Bookstore, Beijing (2020)
This public library was designed as a place of social gathering, with open and flexible spaces. The use of recycled wood and local bricks creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, in contrast to the high-tech architecture of large metropolises.
Liu Jiakun’s style
Architecture as a human experience
Liu Jiakun distances himself from architects who aim for sculptural or self-celebratory buildings. For him, a project must improve the quality of daily life and foster relationships between people.
Local materials and tradition
In his buildings we often find handmade bricks, local wood and traditional construction techniques reinterpreted in a modern way.
Adaptability and fluidity
Instead of rigid and imposing buildings, his works seem to fit organically into the landscape, as if they were part of nature itself.
Imperfection as a value
Unlike many designers who seek formal perfection, Liu welcomes imperfection as an element that makes a building more alive and authentic.
Liu Jiakun in contemporary architecture
Liu Jiakun represents an alternative vision compared to mainstream architecture dominated by glass skyscrapers and hyper-technological projects. His work demonstrates that architecture does not have to be spectacular, but useful, sustainable and deeply human .
Winning the Pritzker Prize 2025 , his innovative and sensitive approach receives the international recognition it deserves. His legacy will continue to inspire new generations of architects, demonstrating that good design is not just aesthetics, but also social and cultural responsibility .
The 2025 Pritzker Prize goes to Liu Jiakun
Liu Jiakun’s triumph at the 2025 Pritzker Prize is a celebration of an architecture that puts people, culture and the environment at the centre. His work reminds us that building is not just about making buildings, but about creating spaces that enrich people’s lives . With his humanistic and sustainable approach, Liu establishes himself as one of the most influential architects of our time.
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