On March 11, Chinese architect Xu Tiantian was awarded the prestigious 2025 Wolf Prize in Architecture, becoming the first Chinese recipient of a Wolf Prize in the arts category.

Established in 1976 by industrialist and inventor Ricardo Wolf, the international award bestowed by the Israeli Wolf Foundation honors those making outstanding contributions to science and also to art.

It is worth mentioning that Xu's work is prominently featured in many villages across Zhejiang province.

In Songyang county, Lishui, Zhejiang province, she has led the design and construction of over 20 public buildings, including the Shimei Bridge, an outdoor bamboo pavilion, and a sugar factory, among others. The projects have not only provided practical functions, but also revitalized the rural cultural landscape.

In Lishui's Jinyun county, Xu's renovations and adaptive reuse of ancient stone quarries have transformed them into public infrastructure – juxtaposing a millennium of historical heritage with contemporary cultural contexts.

Her masterful design approach prioritizes collective and public spaces – fostering rural architectural transformation based on integration and sustainability. She favors natural materials like wood, brick, and stone – emphasizing integrating local materials and building techniques.

The eye-catching tofu factory in Songyang county is the design work of architect Xu Tiantian. [Photo/DnA_Design and Architecture]

The renovation of the Quarry No 8 in Jinyun county is the result of the creativity of architect Xu Tiantian. [Photo/DnA_Design and Architecture]