Liu Jiakun: Winner of the 2025 Pritzker Prize

The prestigious Pritzker Prize 2025 has been awarded to Liu Jiakun, recognizing his outstanding contributions to architecture. Born in Chengdu in 1956, Liu founded Jiakun Architects in 1999 and has since developed projects that integrate tradition, sustainability, and social impact. His work is characterized by the use of local and recycled materials, as well as a strong connection to memory and the natural environment. Among his most notable projects is the Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Museum, which embodies his philosophy of architecture as a bridge between culture and community.

Liu Jiakun’s approach to architecture extends beyond aesthetics, focusing on resilience and social reconstruction. After the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, he launched the «Rebirth Brick Project,» repurposing debris into sustainable building materials to aid in post-disaster rebuilding efforts. His commitment to community-driven design is also evident in the West Village Basis Yard in Chengdu, a development that harmonizes urban living with public spaces and local heritage. Through his work, Liu has demonstrated that architecture can be a tool for healing, cultural preservation, and social cohesion.

In recent years, the Pritzker Prize has marked a shift in the world of architecture. Far from dazzling skyscrapers and designs that seek to break visual records, the trend now points toward architecture with purpose, where sustainability, social impact, local identity, and cultural diversity are the main protagonists. Increasingly, the recognized projects reflect the richness of different architectural traditions around the world, rescuing materials, techniques, and styles that engage in dialogue with their surroundings and communities.

The award, considered the Nobel Prize of architecture, has recently been given to architects who have demonstrated that innovation does not always mean building from scratch but rather rethinking what already exists and improving people’s quality of life. A clear example of this is the recognition of Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal in 2021, who have made rehabilitation their flagship, defending the idea that the best architecture is the one that adapts and endures without generating excessive waste.

The year 2022 marked another milestone with the awarding of Diébédo Francis Kéré, the first African to receive the Pritzker Prize. His work demonstrates that architecture can be a powerful tool for transforming communities, using local materials such as clay and sustainable strategies to cool spaces without relying on costly systems.

British architect David Chipperfield, the 2023 winner, reinforced this way of thinking with his sober and timeless architecture, prioritizing restoration and dialogue with the surroundings rather than imposing striking structures. His vision proves that architecture is not just about design but a commitment to the history and future of cities.

In 2024, the Pritzker Prize was awarded to Riken Yamamoto, a Japanese architect recognized for his focus on community integration within his designs. His work stands out for creating spaces that encourage social interaction and harmony between architecture and the environment. Through projects such as collective housing and public buildings, Yamamoto has demonstrated that architecture can be a tool for strengthening social bonds, promoting a closer connection between people and their habitat.

Along these lines, among the emerging architects who have recently gained prominence are Vo Trong Nghia from Vietnam, with his innovative work in bamboo and the integration of greenery in architecture; Tatiana Bilbao from Mexico, whose focus on social architecture has been widely recognized; and Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima, whose minimalist and environment-sensitive approach continues to set trends. Will any of them be part of the next legacy of these prestigious awards?

The message is clear: the architecture of the future is not about spectacle but about empathy. Increasingly, architects are being valued for understanding that their work has a real impact on people’s lives, whether by preserving buildings, using local materials, or designing to improve marginalized communities. More than just a prize for aesthetics, the Pritzker Prize is becoming a recognition of conscious architecture.

More information in https://www.pritzkerprize.com/
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