Xu Tiantian on Architectural Acupuncture and Rural Revitalization in Louisiana Channel Interview

In an interview with Louisiana Channel, Xu Tiantian, a Chinese architect born in 1975 in Fujian, elaborates on her idea of 'architectural acupuncture' and her desire to move past starchitecture. She established DnA_Design and Architecture, a multidisciplinary firm that explores both the physical and social aspects of living spaces. Xu earned her Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard Graduate School of Design and her bachelor's degree from Tsinghua University. Her recent projects aim to revitalize rural areas through small, context-specific initiatives that enhance local culture, agriculture, and tourism. These efforts, mainly in rural China, have been acknowledged by UN-Habitat as a model for urban-rural integration. During the interview, she contemplates the architect's role, critiques traditional notions of beauty, and highlights the importance of nature's spatial qualities.