In a momentous celebration of architectural innovation and cultural resonance, Chinese architect Liu Jiakun was awarded the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize at a grand ceremony held at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This marks the first time the esteemed prize—often regarded as the “Nobel of Architecture”—was presented in the United Arab Emirates, signifying the UAE’s rising influence as a global hub for art and architecture.
Liu Jiakun :Celebrating a Human-Centered Vision
Liu Jiakun, born in Chengdu in 1956, is known for his deeply humanistic and culturally rooted approach to architecture. His designs are a compelling fusion of traditional Chinese elements and modern functionality, reflecting both local heritage and global relevance. The Pritzker jury praised his ability to “elevate local solutions into universal visions” and for articulating a design language that speaks of “a socially and environmentally just world.”
Some of his most acclaimed works include the Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum, the West Village in Chengdu, and the Department of Sculpture at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. His creations embody a quiet resilience and empathy, reflecting the collective memory of the communities they serve, often emerging from regions marked by natural disasters, economic change, or social transition.
An Unforgettable Night at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
Held beneath the stunning dome of the Jean Nouvel-designed Louvre Abu Dhabi, the 2025 Pritzker Prize ceremony was a harmonious blend of cultural elegance and architectural prestige. The venue’s significance—designed by a fellow Pritzker laureate—added a poetic symmetry to the evening, symbolizing a passing of the torch across continents and generations.
Dignitaries, architects, cultural leaders, and media gathered to witness this defining moment. In his acceptance speech, Liu spoke with characteristic humility and insight: “Architecture is closely intertwined with the fate of humanity—it will evolve and renew itself, as it has always been doing. So long as humanity does not perish, architecture will not either.”
UAE’s Role in Global Architectural Dialogue
Hosting the Pritzker Prize at the Louvre Abu Dhabi represents a significant milestone for the region. It aligns with the UAE’s ongoing vision to become a beacon of innovation, culture, and dialogue. By honoring a figure like Liu Jiakun—whose work speaks to resilience, social relevance, and heritage—the ceremony underscored the UAE’s commitment to fostering a thoughtful and inclusive architectural future.
The choice of Abu Dhabi as the host city also emphasized architecture’s ability to bridge East and West, tradition and modernity, and individual expression with collective identity. It was not just a celebration of one architect’s achievements, but a global conversation about the future of cities, communities, and culture.
Legacy of Influence
Liu Jiakun joins an elite group of architects who have shaped the built environment with vision and purpose. He is the third Chinese recipient of the Pritzker Prize, following I.M. Pei in 1983 and Wang Shu in 2012. His recognition not only shines a light on China’s growing architectural influence but also reaffirms the importance of building with meaning and empathy.
His work remains deeply responsive to place, people, and purpose—a testament to how architecture can preserve memory, promote healing, and inspire progress. At a time when global challenges demand sustainable and inclusive solutions, Liu’s approach offers a timely and timeless blueprint.
The Road Ahead
As the architectural world celebrates Liu Jiakun’s achievement, attention turns to how his philosophies will influence the next generation of architects. His career reminds us that the most powerful structures are not necessarily the tallest or most expensive, but those that serve, speak, and connect.
The 2025 Pritzker Prize not only honors an extraordinary architect but also sets a tone for the future—where design is not only about aesthetics but about empathy, responsibility, and transformation. As Liu returns to his studio in Chengdu, the world watches with anticipation for what his next creation will bring.
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