Xu Tiantian's Acupuncture Strategy for Rural Revival in Songyang
Xu Tiantian, a Chinese architect born in 1975 in Fujian, along with her firm DnA_Design and Architecture, has implemented an 'acupuncture strategy' in the rural area of Songyang, constructing thirteen multifunctional buildings since 2014. Among her significant projects are the Bamboo Pavilion at Damushan Tea Plantation, a bridge spanning the Songyin River, and a sugar cane refinery in Xing. This innovative approach was showcased at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2018, leading to Xu receiving the Moira Gemmill Prize in 2019. Having studied urbanism at Harvard and worked with OMA before establishing DnA, she gained prominence through the Ordos Art Museum project commissioned by Ai Weiwei. DnA also created the Art Center in Songzhuang, and Xu aims to develop a circular economy and cultural tourism in Songyang.
Key facts
- Xu Tiantian was born in 1975 in Fujian, China.
- She studied urbanism at Harvard and worked at OMA.
- She founded DnA_Design and Architecture.
- At age 30, Ai Weiwei commissioned her to design the Ordos Art Museum in Inner Mongolia.
- She won the Young Architects Award 2008 from the Architectural League.
- Since 2014, DnA has implemented an 'acupuncture strategy' in Songyang county.
- Thirteen interventions have been built in Songyang, with three more under delivery.
- The Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture 2019 was awarded to Xu.
- The Songyang project was selected for the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale.
- Xu plans to network all villages in Songyang for a circular economy and cultural tourism.
Entities
Artists
- Xu Tiantian
- Ai Weiwei
Institutions
- DnA_Design and Architecture
- Harvard University
- OMA
- Architectural League
- Venice Architecture Biennale
- Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture
- Artribune
Locations
- Fujian
- China
- Songzhuang
- Beijing
- Ordos
- Inner Mongolia
- Songyang
- Damushan
- Songyin River