The design Buhou refers to the renovation project of the backyard of Sichuan's chief secretary's office during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). [Photo provided to China Daily]

The conceptual redesign of a historic Sichuan backyard space wins renowned Chengdu architect prestigious architectural award.

When designer friends in Sichuan province meet 52-year-old Liu Weibing, they ask for a photo with his trophy awarded by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Few people get to see a trophy from the AIA, a top-notch organization in the international architectural design community, said Zhang Xianjin, a senior professor from the school of architecture at Southwest Jiaotong University in Chengdu, Sichuan, who posed for a photo with the trophy.

On Dec 1, the Peninsula Hotel on Shanghai's Bund hosted the 2018 AIA Shanghai Design Awards Ceremony - the first time the event has ever been held in China. Over 360 architects and critics attended the historic occasion.

The winning awards were judged by an international jury comprised of leading architects, critics, academics and theorists. Topping the list were American-German architect, Regine Leibinger, and American architectural art critic, Reed Kroloff.

From the 160 works reviewed, 27 finalists were selected to compete for the awards for Public Architecture, Commercial Architecture, Housing, Heritage Architecture, Unbuilt Innovation, Master Planning and Interior Spaces.

Liu, a famous architect from Chengdu, was nominated for his design, Buhou. After nine anonymous judges from the AIA jury voted, it won the Unbuilt Innovation award.