Speaking to CNN ahead of Tuesday’s announcement, the founder of one of China’s first private architecture firms reflects on a career designing unpretentious buildings in an era of excess.

Pritzker Architecture Prize has been awarded to Liu Jiakun of China, who earned the field’s highest honor for “affirming architecture that celebrates the lives of ordinary citizens.”

The Chinese architect was recognized by the jury for his ability to draw on every site’s unique heritage and challenges.

The jury cited Liu's "reverence for culture, history and nature, chronicling time and comforting users with familiarity through modern interpretations of classic Chinese architecture."

Explore Liu Jiakun's architectural philosophy: a unique blend of tradition, sustainability, and social interaction in modern design.

Liu Jiakun became the 54th Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. [Photo provided to China Daily] Chinese architect Liu Jiakun, from Chengdu, Sichuan province, was awarded on Tuesday the 2025 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize,

Today, the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize was awarded to Chinese architect Liu Jiakun, a Chengdu-based talent whose human-centered designs aim to elevate everyday life. The 69-year-old architect and founder of Jiakun Architects has created over 30 projects,

Jiakun's notable works include the West Village in Chengdu, a five-story urban hub blending culture and commerce, and the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in Chongqing. View on euronews