Xu Tiantian wins Swiss Architectural Award 2022 with acupuncture-like approach

Xu Tiantian, a Chinese architect, has been awarded the Swiss Architectural Award 2022 by a jury led by Mario Botta. The jury commended her ability to merge civic involvement with architectural excellence, contextual awareness, and a poetic sensibility that transcends various scales and themes. Her methodology is compared to acupuncture, a traditional Chinese healing technique aimed at restoring equilibrium. Out of 26 nominees from 14 nations, including Atelier Masōmī – Mariam Kamara and Go Hasegawa, she emerged as the winner. Born in Fujian in 1975, Tiantian studied at Tsinghua University and Harvard, worked with OMA in the Netherlands, and founded DnA Design and Architecture in Beijing. Her notable projects include the Shimen Bridge reuse (2016-2017) and the transformation of Jinyun quarries (2021-2022). An exhibition of all nominated works will take place at the Auditorio del Teatro dell'architettura Mendrisio from May 5 to October 22, 2023. Tiantian describes her work as both 'research-based practice' and 'practice-based research,' highlighting her collaboration with local communities. Since 2014, she has focused on rural China, particularly in Songyang, viewing architecture as a response to social and anthropological issues.