CHENGDU, CHINA — In a major career development for professionals in the design and built environment sectors, the internationally acclaimed, Chengdu-based practice Jiakun Architects has officially launched its latest recruitment campaign. Announced in September 2026, the open call invites visionary architects, urban designers, and creative thinkers to join one of China’s most culturally grounded and philosophically distinct architectural offices.
Known for bridging contemporary spatial demands with local vernacular wisdom, Jiakun Architects continues to expand its footprint on both domestic and global stages. This recruitment drive offers a unique gateway for spatial practitioners eager to work under the guidance of one of contemporary architecture’s most revered voices, founder Liu Jiakun.
Main Facts
- Firm Name: Jiakun Architects
- Founder: Liu Jiakun
- Founded: 1999
- Location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
- Scope of Practice: Master planning, urban design, architectural design, landscape design, interior design, product design, and contemporary art creation.
- Design Philosophy: Grounded in contemporary reality, deeply respectful of local tradition and vernacular wisdom, and focused on fostering a harmonious coexistence between architecture and nature.
- Key Projects: West Village Basis Yard, Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum, Erlang Town Tianbao Cave Area Renovation, Grand Canal Hanggang Park (Phase I), and the Librairie Avant-Garde Huize Baiwu Bookstore.
Chronology: The Evolution of Jiakun Architects
To understand the weight of securing a position at Jiakun Architects, one must trace the studio’s trajectory from a regional Chengdu-based practice into an internationally recognized cultural force.
1999: Foundation and Local Roots
Liu Jiakun established Jiakun Architects in Chengdu in 1999. Situated in the vibrant Sichuan basin, the firm’s early work was heavily influenced by the region’s distinct climate, culture, and materials. Eschewing the hyper-glossy, fast-paced commercial developments dominating China’s coastal mega-cities, Jiakun focused on a localized ethos, utilizing ordinary materials like recycled brick, concrete, and local stone to address real social and physical conditions.
Early 2000s–2010s: Critical Regionalism and Cultural Landmarks
During this period, the practice achieved critical acclaim with projects like the Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum. The museum became a textbook example of critical regionalism, seamlessly integrating local construction techniques and spiritual quietude into the landscape. Following the devastating 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, Liu Jiakun and his team demonstrated deep civic responsibility through humanitarian spatial interventions, such as the Recycled Brick Vernacular House, which repurposed debris into resilient housing.
Mid-2010s: Urban Experiments and Public Spaces
The completion of the West Village Basis Yard in Chengdu redefined modern urban block design. Conceived as a "vertical village," it merged community life, sports, bamboo landscaping, and open-air circulation into a massive, porous urban intervention. It cemented the firm’s reputation for rethinking how high-density environments can foster community interaction.
2020s–Present: Expanding Geographies and Multidisciplinary Horizons
In recent years, the firm’s portfolio has diversified geographically and typologically. Projects like the Erlang Town Tianbao Cave Area Renovation and the Grand Canal Hanggang Park (Phase I) showcase the studio’s ability to operate at macro-scales—from industrial heritage transformations to expansive public landscape design. The recruitment drive launched in September 2026 marks the next chapter for the office as it takes on increasingly complex, cross-disciplinary international commissions.
Supporting Data: Selected Works and Design Philosophy
Jiakun Architects’ portfolio spans across varied scales, each project offering a masterclass in material honesty and environmental sensitivity.
| Project Name | Typology | Key Material/Concept |
|---|---|---|
| West Village Basis Yard | Urban Mixed-Use / Public Space | Concrete, bamboo, porous urban block, vertical community |
| Luyeyuan Stone Sculpture Art Museum | Cultural / Museum | Local stone, quiet spatial sequencing, light and shadow |
| Erlang Town Tianbao Cave Area Renovation | Industrial Heritage / Tourism | Cliffside integration, cave adaptation, traditional brewing culture |
| Grand Canal Hanggang Park (Phase I) | Landscape / Public Infrastructure | Ecological restoration, linear park, water management |
| Librairie Avant-Garde Huize Baiwu | Cultural / Interior Architecture | Vernacular memory, literary sanctuary, contextual materiality |
At its core, the firm’s philosophy rejects generic globalization. Instead, Jiakun Architects treats construction as a physical manifestation of local reality. By emphasizing the "coexistence of architecture and nature," the office trains its designers to look beyond the computer screen and engage directly with material properties, site histories, and human scales.
Official Perspectives and Industry Reception
While architectural offices frequently post job openings, recruitment announcements from firms of Jiakun’s caliber are closely watched barometers for the health and direction of the design industry in Western China.
Industry critics note that working at Jiakun Architects offers a rare counter-narrative to corporate, output-driven architectural production. Rather than churning out standardized high-rises, practitioners within the Chengdu studio are encouraged to engage in rigorous theoretical critique, material experimentation, and artistic creation—as evidenced by the firm’s fluid boundary-crossing between architecture, interior design, product design, and contemporary art.
Although official public statements regarding the exact number of open positions remain tightly managed through professional platforms like ArchDaily, the firm has historically sought candidates who possess:
- A profound appreciation for contextual and vernacular architecture.
- Strong conceptual design skills coupled with technical rigor.
- The collaborative mindset required to work in a studio that values cross-disciplinary dialogue.
Implications for the Architecture and Design Sector
The 2026 recruitment campaign by Jiakun Architects carries broader implications for the architectural job market, particularly in China’s emerging cultural hubs outside Beijing and Shanghai.
1. Decentralization of Creative Excellence
For decades, major international talent gravitated almost exclusively toward tier-one eastern coastal hubs. By maintaining its headquarters in Chengdu and producing globally recognized work from there, Jiakun Architects proves that world-class architecture can thrive in interior cultural centers. This recruitment drive reinforces Chengdu’s status as a vibrant crucible for spatial innovation.
2. A Shift Toward Slow and Sustainable Practice
In an era dominated by fast-tracked digital renderings and algorithmic urbanism, Jiakun’s commitment to material reality, vernacular intelligence, and ecological harmony offers a necessary antidote. For young architects entering the workforce, a stint at the firm serves as an immersion in a slower, more thoughtful mode of practice—one that prioritizes social relevance and long-term environmental endurance over fleeting trends.
3. Fostering the Next Generation of Critical Thinkers
By bringing fresh talent into its ranks, Jiakun Architects ensures the continuity of its distinct design DNA. As the office continues to engage in international collaborations, exhibitions, and complex master-planning efforts, the new cohort of recruits will play a pivotal role in translating Liu Jiakun’s foundational philosophy into the architectural vernacular of tomorrow.
For architects, urban designers, and creative professionals looking to align their careers with a practice rooted in authenticity, material integrity, and cultural depth, applications and further details regarding the Chengdu openings are accessible through official architectural employment channels.
