
For nearly the past two decades, cities around the world embraced "starchitecture"—futuristic, eye-catching buildings designed by globally renowned architects. In China, this trend was particularly pronounced as rapid urbanization fueled the construction of iconic megastructures like Zaha Hadid's Galaxy SOHO, OMA's CCTV Headquarters, and Herzog & de Meuron's Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing. At the time of their construction, these were all celebrated as symbols of progress and global ambition. However, architecture worldwide has begun shifting toward a more context-driven, human-centered approach, with China emerging as one of the key contributors to this transformation. This year, Liu Jia Kun's 2025 Pritzker Prize further underscores that shift.
This time the jury's decision is highlighting work that leads towards a more human-centered approach to architecture, one that values local culture, sustainability, and social engagement over aesthetic grandeur. Liu's work focuses on humility, tradition, and site awareness while embracing a quiet integration that responds to local needs. It focuses on letting the environment, history, and culture shape each project.
