Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize is a prize founded by the Architectural Society of China, which opens to the world and architects. It is the highest honor awarded to architects.
Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize aims to stimulate the architects’ creative spirit, prosper architectural creation, and to improve the levels of architectural design and urban-rural development. In 2000, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) and the Architectural Society of China established Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize special fund, to honor and reward architects who have made significant achievements and contributions in architectural creation. Since 2014, the Architectural Society of China became the sole sponsor of Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize.
Liang Sicheng was a distinguished Chinese architect, architectural historian and educator, a pioneer in historical research in Chinese architecture, and the founder of China’s modern system of architectural education. As a key figure in introducing Western modern discipline of architecture and city planning system to China, he tried to create China’s own system of architectural education against current economic, cultural and technological backgrounds. He was also a Chinese scholar who systematically presented the achievements of Chinese architecture and art to the Western world. Liang Sicheng took part in the formation of the Architectural Society of China and served as Vice President of its first council. He attended in several times congresses of the International Union of Architects (UIA), promoting academic exchange between Chinese and international architects. As the representative appointed by the Chinese government, he participated in important projects of international cooperation such as the design for the United Nations headquarters, in which he brought the philosophy of Chinese architecture into international discourse on architecture. Since the mid-20th century, Liang Sicheng’s works and research results have become the main channel through which the West learns about Chinese architecture and art.
Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize has completed seven cycles of activity until 2014; Highly recognized and praised by the architectural field in China, the Liang Sicheng Prize has not only stimulated Chinese architects’ creative spirit, but also plays a significant role in prospering Chinese architectural creation, promoting scientific development of urban-rural construction, as well as enhancing the influence of Chinese architectural culture. It has greatly enhanced the visibility and influence of both practicing architects and the academic field of architecture. Since 2016, Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize opens its application to the entire world, to be given biennially to two architects. The winners will receive a certificate and a medal from the Architectural Society of China, together with RMB 100,000.
Eligibility criteria:
The candidates for Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize should be committed to promoting international exchange of architectural culture and their influence help improve the architects’ international standing. The candidates should be those who have made prominent contributions to world architecture and whose architectural ideas lead the direction of international architecture; their representative works of architectural design are widely accepted by international architects, have preferable social, economic and environmental benefits, and play a leading role in the development and promotion of contemporary architectural design.
Selection methods:
Nominations for Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize combine individual nominations and those from the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee votes to determine the shortlisted candidates. The Jury then selects the winners. The selection result is announced on the official website of the Architectural Society of China and related domestic and international media within one month after the selection.
Jury composition:
The Jury of Liang Sicheng Architecture Prize is constituted of renowned architects and experts in the field and related fields of architecture, who agree with the core value and purpose of the Prize, including representatives from the International Union of Architects.
