Chinese architect Liu Jiakun has been awarded the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the field’s most prestigious accolade, recognizing his innovative and culturally resonant designs. Born in 1956 in Chengdu, Liu’s career began after graduating from the Chongqing Institute of Architecture and Engineering in 1982. Initially working at the Chengdu Architectural Design and Research Institute, he later explored writing and painting before founding his practice in 1999. Liu’s work is characterized by a deep respect for local environments and cultures, seamlessly integrating architecture with nature and community.
Here are three of his most notable projects:
West Village, Chengdu
West Village is a transformative urban development that reimagines the concept of a city block. The project combines residential and commercial spaces around a central courtyard, fostering community interaction. Drawing inspiration from Barcelona’s Eixample district, West Village integrates leisure facilities, housing, sports installations, and abundant greenery, creating a harmonious blend of urban living and nature.
The design emphasizes accessibility and permeability, featuring sports fields, gardens, play areas, and an open-air cinema. The building’s facades are adorned with vegetation, providing privacy and acting as natural barriers against noise and climate extremes. This project exemplifies Liu’s ability to humanize architecture and urban spaces.
Suzhou Museum of Imperial Kiln Brick
Located in Suzhou, the Suzhou Museum of Imperial Kiln Brick is a testament to the region’s centuries-old tradition of brick-making. Liu Jiakun’s design for this museum goes beyond mere preservation; it revitalizes and reinterprets an essential aspect of China‘s architectural heritage.
The museum’s design draws inspiration from traditional kiln structures that were once pivotal in producing bricks for imperial buildings. These bricks, known for their durability and distinctive dark color, were used in some of China’s most revered architectural works, including the Forbidden City. Rather than imposing a contemporary structure that might overshadow this legacy, Liu crafted a building that harmonizes with the surrounding landscape and the historic significance of Suzhou.
One of Liu’s core philosophies is architecture’s ability to serve as a bridge between history and modernity. In the Suzhou Museum of Imperial Kiln Brick, this is achieved through the careful interplay of textures, materials, and natural elements. The exterior features brickwork reminiscent of ancient kiln-fired bricks, while interior spaces are designed to evoke a meditative experience, allowing visitors to engage deeply with the exhibits.
Natural lighting plays a crucial role in the design, with skylights and strategically placed openings that cast shifting shadows across the brick surfaces.
Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum
The Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum holds a special place in Liu Jiakun’s career, as it was his inaugural project and a defining work that set the trajectory for his architectural approach. Situated in a serene natural landscape, the museum embodies Liu’s philosophy of integrating built environments with nature, allowing architecture to exist as an organic extension of its surroundings.
The museum was designed to showcase a collection of stone sculptures, and Liu took a unique approach to create a space that would complement rather than compete with the art. The structure is nestled within a landscape of trees, water features, and rock formations, making it feel like an extension of the natural environment.
The museum’s design follows Liu’s recurring theme of embracing simplicity and functionality while respecting cultural and environmental contexts. Instead of rigid gallery walls, the museum features a fluid, open-plan layout where natural light and airflow enhance the experience. Large openings allow visitors to see the changing seasons, reinforcing the connection between art and nature.
A key feature of the Luyeyuan Museum is its minimalist aesthetic. The structure does not overpower the sculptures but instead acts as a quiet, contemplative space where visitors can appreciate both the artwork and their surroundings.
Liu Jiakun’s body of work demonstrates a profound understanding of architecture’s role in society, blending functionality with cultural and environmental sensitivity. His projects stand as exemplars of how thoughtful design can enrich communities and honor heritage, making him a deserving recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
