Liu Jiakun, a Chinese architect and professor, has been named the winner of the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize. This prestigious award has been granted to him for his ability to integrate traditional Chinese architectural elements with contemporary design and his commitment to social justice in the built environment. Born in Chengdu, China, where he also established his architectural firm, Jiakun is the second Chinese architect to receive this honor, following Wang Shu, who won the prize in 2012.
Jiakun’s architecture is based on adaptive strategies that harmoniously and empathetically integrate collective and individual spaces. He believes that architecture should reveal something, abstractly expressing the inherent characteristics of local people in designed spaces. He also emphasizes creating spaces for tranquility and empathy in densely populated urban environments, fostering an emotional connection with the community and users through his work.
Liu Jiakun incorporates public spaces into his designs, particularly in projects such as the Songyang Three Temples Cultural Communication Center and the Shikun Complex in Chengdu. His urban spaces are designed to enhance social interactions and strengthen a sense of belonging and shared identity. Instead of segregating urban functions, he takes a reverse approach, creating a delicate balance among all aspects of urban life.
Liu is also a prolific writer who explores utopia, human experience, and its interaction with architecture in his books. Some of his notable works include Imagining the Bright Moon and Narrative Discourse and Low-Tech Strategy.
For elevating local solutions to a global perspective and for the profound impact of his architecture in improving urban and environmental spaces, Liu Jiakun has been recognized as the 2025 Pritzker Prize laureate.