The 54th Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize has been revealed, with the honor awarded to Liu Jiakun of Chengdu, People's Republic of China. An architect renowned for his human-centered designs, Liu emphasizes the role of architecture in shaping human behavior and fostering community. “Architecture should reveal something—it should abstract, distill, and make visible the inherent qualities of local people,” he reflects. His approach intertwines contrasting elements such as utopia versus everyday existence, history versus modernity, and collectivism versus individuality, resulting in architecture that celebrates the lives of ordinary citizens.
Department of Sculpture, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute - Image Credit: ArchExist and Jiakun Architects
The 2025 Jury recognized Liu for his ability to create spaces that embrace both cultural continuity and social progress, offering a thoughtful and responsive approach to contemporary challenges. His designs often prioritize accessibility, adaptability, and a deep connection to local communities.
One of his most notable projects is the West Village in Chengdu, completed in 2015. This five-story structure spans an entire city block, standing in contrast to the surrounding mid- and high-rise buildings. Conceived as an urban landscape, the design incorporates sloping pathways that encourage movement for cyclists and pedestrians, interwoven with cultural, athletic, recreational, office, and business hubs.
West Village in Chengdu, China - Image Credit: Chen Chen
The project exemplifies Liu’s ability to integrate architecture seamlessly into the urban fabric, prioritizing human movement and social engagement. By blurring the boundaries between public and private space, West Village invites people to interact with the built environment in a natural and intuitive way. The interconnected pathways and open spaces encourage spontaneous social interactions, while the mix of functions ensures a constant flow of activity throughout the day. Through this approach, Liu creates a space that is not only architecturally striking but also deeply rooted in the rhythms of everyday life.
West Village in Chengdu, China - Image Credit: Qian Shen Photography and Arch-Exist
The Renovation of Tianbao Cave District of Erlang Town is a striking example of Liu’s sensitivity to history, culture, and the needs of local communities. Located in a mountainous region, the project revitalizes an area once defined by its traditional cave dwellings, adapting them to modern living standards while preserving their connection to the landscape.
Renovation of Tianbao Cave District of Erlang Town - Image Credit: Arch-Exist
Liu’s approach carefully balances restoration and transformation, maintaining the original spatial qualities while introducing contemporary materials and structural reinforcements. The intervention enhances ventilation, natural lighting, and accessibility, ensuring that the revitalized spaces remain both functional and culturally significant. Through this project, Liu demonstrates how architecture can bridge past and present, sustaining the essence of a place while adapting it for future generations.
Renovation of Tianbao Cave District of Erlang Town - Image Credit: Arch-Exist
Another defining work is the Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum. Designed as a space where nature and art intertwine, the museum embraces a minimalist aesthetic, using exposed concrete and natural materials to create a tranquil atmosphere that harmonizes with its surroundings. The design prioritizes simplicity and restraint, allowing the exhibited sculptures to take center stage while simultaneously establishing a deep connection to the environment.
Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum in Chengdu, China - Image Credit: Bi Kejian
The layout encourages a slow, contemplative experience. Open-air courtyards, shaded walkways, and carefully framed views of the landscape enhance the interplay between structure and nature, reinforcing Liu’s philosophy of architecture as an extension of the human experience. The result is a museum that is not just a place for viewing art, but also a meditative retreat.
Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum in Chengdu, China - Image Credit: Bi Kejian
Liu’s involvement in post-earthquake reconstruction projects has further cemented his reputation as an architect who prioritizes social responsibility. The Rebirth Brick Workshop, developed in response to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, is an example of his commitment to humanitarian architecture. By repurposing debris into sustainable building materials, the project not only provided much-needed housing but also empowered local communities through participatory construction.
Rebirth Brick - Image Credit: www.jiakun.com
With a career spanning decades, Liu Jiakun continues to challenge conventional architectural narratives, demonstrating that thoughtful, human-centered design can bridge past and future, individual and collective, tradition and innovation. He will be honored with a celebration in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates this spring, and globally with a virtual ceremony video in the fall. The 2025 Laureate Lecture and Panel Discussion is scheduled in May and will be open to the public in-person and online.
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