The Pritzker Architecture Prize has officially released the ceremonial video honoring Liu Jiakun as the 54th recipient of architecture's most prestigious award. The ceremony, held at the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi, celebrates Liu's distinctive architectural vision that deeply engages with civic life, cultural continuity, and the human condition through thoughtful design practices.

Filmed beneath the museum's striking dome designed by 2008 Pritzker Laureate Jean Nouvel, the ceremony video captures pivotal moments from the event while offering comprehensive insights into Liu's broader architectural practice. The film emphasizes architecture's unique capacity to bridge tradition and modernity while simultaneously addressing pressing social and environmental challenges facing contemporary society.

Born in Chengdu, China, in 1956, Liu Jiakun established Jiakun Architects in 1999, building a remarkable portfolio that spans cultural institutions, civic buildings, and residential projects. His work is distinguished by exceptional sensitivity to local context and unwavering commitment to material honesty. Rather than adhering to a singular aesthetic style, Liu employs adaptable design strategies that respond specifically to the unique social and environmental conditions of each project site.

Liu's architectural philosophy seeks to harmonize collective and individual experiences, creating spaces that foster meaningful human connection, quiet reflection, and community resilience within the rapidly transforming urban landscapes of contemporary China. His approach demonstrates a profound understanding of architecture as both personal artistic expression and collective social act, reflecting deep respect for cultural heritage while embracing innovative solutions.

This year's ceremony holds special significance as the first held since the passing of Cindy Pritzker, who co-founded the prestigious award with Jay A. Pritzker in 1979. The event brought together distinguished jury members, past Laureates, and international guests under the museum's magnificent dome, creating a fitting backdrop for celebrating Liu's community-focused architectural approach.

As Liu Jiakun reflected in his acceptance remarks, "Architecture is closely intertwined with the fate of humanity—it will evolve and renew itself, as it has always been doing. As long as humanity does not perish, architecture will not either." This profound statement encapsulates his belief in architecture's enduring role in human civilization and its capacity for continuous transformation.

The ceremony video features thoughtful reflections from the 2025 Jury, including distinguished members Barry Bergdoll, Deborah Berke, André Corrêa do Lago, Kazuyo Sejima, Anne Lacaton, and Executive Director Manuela Lucá-Dazio. The film also includes appearances from celebrated past Laureates including Jean Nouvel, Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, Ramon Vilalta, Jean-Philippe Vassal, David Chipperfield, and Riken Yamamoto.

In conjunction with the main ceremony, the 2025 Laureate Lecture and Panel Discussion, titled "On Land: A Model for Community," was organized at the Cultural Foundation in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi. This program explored central themes in Liu's work, including the thoughtful integration of landscape, memory, and shared communal spaces in contemporary architectural practice.

The release of this ceremony video marks the culmination of the 47th edition of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, celebrating Liu's recognition for his approach grounded in community engagement and environmental balance. The 2026 Laureate announcement is scheduled for March, continuing the award's distinguished legacy of recognizing architects whose innovative work advances the discipline and its fundamental role in shaping human experience.