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The Pritzker Architecture Prize presents On Land: A Model For Community, the 2025 Laureate Lecture and Panel Discussion
April 29, 2025
The Pritzker Architecture Prize and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, present On Land: A Model For Community, the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Lecture and Panel Discussion, taking place at the Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi on Saturday, May 3rd at 5:00pm GST.
Liu Jiakun, 2025 Laureate of the Pritzker Prize will present his most pivotal works through the personal lens of his life’s journey and architectural ethos, revering materials and nature, processes and people. “In my life, architecture is not necessarily a tool for fame or fortune, but is the guidance for me to touch the spiritual height and the depth of my soul,” explains Jiakun. “It resembles my love for literature. They both require lifelong devotion, but the unexpected gains are the motives and inspirations for progress. In parallel universes or cycles of time, wherever I am, I’m myself and resolute. If the stage is not bright enough, I refine myself to shine; if I can’t reach the edge of the sky or sea, I dig deep.”
The 2025 Jury Citation states, in part, “In a global context where architecture is struggling to find adequate responses to fast evolving social and environmental challenges, Liu Jiakun has provided convincing answers that also celebrate the everyday lives of people as well as their communal and spiritual identities…Through transformative projects like the West Village in Chengdu, he reshapes the paradigm of public spaces and of community life. He invents new independent, shared ways of living together in which density does not represent the opposite of an open system.”
Following the lecture, Liu will be joined by recent Laureates, Riken Yamamoto (2024), Sir David Chipperfield (2023) and Francis Kéré (2022) for an intimate discussion on the successes and challenges of their careers, which center around user-centered works that prioritize the justice and integrity of community.
“Liu Jiakun is rooted in one of the most historically significant cities in the world, and at the same time, an architect deeply committed to everyday communities. His architecture integrates local tradition into the world, forging connections and fostering harmony that gives his work a strong presence and pertinence,” shares Yamamoto.
The event is free and open to the public but capacity will be limited and registration is required: bit.ly/2025-laureate-lecture. The program will also be viewable via livestream at: bit.ly/2025-lecture-livestream.
Liu Jiakun is the 54th Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and resides in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China. The 2025 ceremony video will be released this fall.
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About the Pritzker Architecture Prize
The Pritzker Architecture Prize was founded in 1979 by the late Jay A. and late Cindy Pritzker. Its purpose is to honor annually a living architect or architects whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture.
About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
DCT Abu Dhabi drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organizations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture, creative and tourism industries.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.
For more information about The Pritzker Architecture Prize, please contact:
Eunice Kim
Director of Communications
The Pritzker Architecture Prize
[email protected]
