The architectural world celebrated a milestone on March 22, 2025, as Liu Jiakun was named the recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, often regarded as the highest honour in architecture.
Liu becomes only the second Chinese laureate to claim the award, following in the footsteps of Wang Shu, who won in 2012.
The announcement has thrust Liu’s transformative work into the global spotlight, with his Hangzhou masterpiece, the Grand Canal Hangzhou Steel Park, earning particular acclaim.
The Grand Canal Hangzhou Steel Park, a 55-hectare site once home to a 60-year-old steel plant, has been reimagined by Liu as what critics are calling a “futuristic utopia.”
The industrial relic, located along Hangzhou’s historic Grand Canal, now stands as a vibrant testament to adaptive reuse, blending its gritty past with cutting-edge design.
Liu’s vision has turned the sprawling complex into a cultural hub, seamlessly merging history with modernity.
Just days before the Pritzker announcement, the park made headlines when G1, a bionic robot showcased during China’s Spring Festival Gala, completed a high-profile running test across its lush green slopes.
The spectacle underscored the site’s emergence as a stage for innovation, drawing tech enthusiasts and media alike.
Beyond robotics, the park has quickly become a go-to destination for music festivals, esports tournaments, camping, and industrial-style photography, attracting a diverse crowd of locals and tourists.
The Pritzker jury praised Liu for his ability to “redefine the relationship between architecture, culture, and the environment,” citing the Hangzhou project as the pinnacle of his career.
His thoughtful integration of sustainable design and historical preservation has set a new standard for urban renewal, resonating globally at a time when cities seek to balance progress with heritage.
Liu’s win marks a proud moment for Chinese architecture, with celebrations erupting across Hangzhou and beyond.
The Grand Canal Hangzhou Steel Park, already a symbol of his genius, is poised to draw even greater attention as the world takes note of this year’s Pritzker laureate.
