Xu Tiantian believes in community rather than grand statements.
Pine Park pavilion (Photo provided to China Daily)
Over the past four years Xu Tiantian has traveled between Beijing and Songyang in Zhejiang province numerous times. In fact she has become so attached to the city that she says she regards it as her child.
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Xu Tiantian believes in community rather than grand statements.
Over the past four years Xu Tiantian has traveled between Beijing and Songyang in Zhejiang province numerous times. In fact she has become so attached to the city that she says she regards it as her child.
In March all of Xu's completed Songyang projects went on display at the Aedes Architecture forum in Berlin, and late this month they will go on display at the Venice Biennale of Architecture.
She went to a tea garden where she designed bamboo pavilions, marking the start of her connection with the "utopia city", which Xu reckons exists in the fable of the ancient Chinese poet Tao Yuanming, in which people live in harmony with nature and forget about the outside world.
The bamboo pavilion is an open space in a tea garden in Songyang, where both tourists and farmers can step in to have a break. The bamboo theater in a bamboo forest has the same openness, with no doors and no windows. Only a dome structure connected by bamboos defines the open space under it as a theater.
When she designed a memorial hall for Wang village in Songyang locals asked her to build a fancy one like those they had seen in big cities, she says, but she refused.
In Pingtian village Xu found the worst house, which was inhabited by the poorest family with a rundown cowshed and a pigsty. It was due to be demolished, but Xu decided to turn it into a village center. She designed show space in it, displaying farming tools used in Pingtian, a performance stage and upstairs two rooms offered as homestay for tourists. "I chose this dilapidated house to change the way locals think and to inspire confidence in their city," she says. "If the interior of even the worst house can be turned into something attractive, then other old houses in very poor shape can also be restored." It worked, and many locals visited the center and started to renovate their old houses. Xu regards the role of an architect in rural development as being that of a doctor, someone who diagnoses ailments and then offers remedies.
Considering that she has left indelible traces of herself across Songyang's landscape by designing 20 public buildings, 15 of them now complete, in various areas of the city, that analogy may well be right on the money.
himen Bridge transformed from a discarded bridge, all designed by Xu Tiantian. (Photo provided to China Daily)
In March all of Xu's completed Songyang projects went on display at the Aedes Architecture forum in Berlin, and late this month they will go on display at the Venice Biennale of Architecture.
Songyang has more than 400 villages with a total population of about 240,000, and tourism and tea are the city's key industries - this in an economy that remains solidly agrarian. Xu, 42, says that when she first visited Songyang, in 2014, it seemed that she was stepping into the past. Time seemed to crawl and the clear message from its many old buildings seemed to be "Urbanization has not caught up with us yet."
Xu Tiantian, architect (Photo provided to China Daily)
She went to a tea garden where she designed bamboo pavilions, marking the start of her connection with the "utopia city", which Xu reckons exists in the fable of the ancient Chinese poet Tao Yuanming, in which people live in harmony with nature and forget about the outside world.
For hundreds of years many Chinese intellectuals have dreamed of living in Tao's utopia, she says, and it is what has guided her in designing buildings one after another in Songyang.
In rural development, architects should respect local traditions and culture, encouraging more people to take part in building their community, and working in collaboration with them rather than against them, she says. (Photo provided to China Daily)
The bamboo pavilion is an open space in a tea garden in Songyang, where both tourists and farmers can step in to have a break. The bamboo theater in a bamboo forest has the same openness, with no doors and no windows. Only a dome structure connected by bamboos defines the open space under it as a theater.
"I would not design a marquee building in rural areas," Xu says. "It must fit in with the surroundings and serve locals well."
Wang Jing Memorial Hall (Photo provided to China Daily)
When she designed a memorial hall for Wang village in Songyang locals asked her to build a fancy one like those they had seen in big cities, she says, but she refused.
She is fond of employing the concept of modern space to redesign a building's interior while choosing local materials for its exterior, such as bamboo and stones from waterways.
(Photo provided to China Daily)
In Pingtian village Xu found the worst house, which was inhabited by the poorest family with a rundown cowshed and a pigsty. It was due to be demolished, but Xu decided to turn it into a village center. She designed show space in it, displaying farming tools used in Pingtian, a performance stage and upstairs two rooms offered as homestay for tourists. "I chose this dilapidated house to change the way locals think and to inspire confidence in their city," she says. "If the interior of even the worst house can be turned into something attractive, then other old houses in very poor shape can also be restored." It worked, and many locals visited the center and started to renovate their old houses. Xu regards the role of an architect in rural development as being that of a doctor, someone who diagnoses ailments and then offers remedies.
(Photo provided to China Daily)
Xu has won acclaim for her work in Songyang, and many cities have turned to her for help. The mother of three lamented that she lacks the time to work on more buildings even as China puts a premium on rural vitalization and eco-friendly public buildings, throwing open huge opportunities for architects.
Her next project is to turn discarded dredging vessels along the Yangtze River into usable public spaces.
After graduating from Tsinghua University, Xu went to Harvard University. She worked for two architecture firms outside China and set up her own studio DnA_Design and Architecture in Beijing in 2004, focusing on public buildings. The first building she designed was Songzhuang Art Museum in the suburbs of Beijing.
ORLANDO, Fla. — (AP) — Russell Wilson’s resume and experience give him the edge over Justin Fields.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Wilson is considered Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback but Fields will get a chance to compete.
“We’re not resistant to competition, but as I’ve mentioned several times of late, I just think it’s appropriate to establish positioning. ... and the term that I’ve used is Russell has pole position,” Tomlin said. “And why do I use that term? Because during this time where we are not formally working, I just think it’s beneficial. His experience in the National Football League, his process has been honed and perfected.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, center, talks with reporters during an AFC coaches availability at the NFL owners meetings, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
“Talking about over a 12-month calendar, it’s not only good for him, it’s good for teams, it’s good for receivers, tight ends, running backs, etc. All the things that people really committed to winning do this time of the year, Russell has those resources, that structure. And so that’s why I say he has pole position. It just creates a synergy that I think is good for this time of year. When it’s time to compete and we get in training camp-like settings and we’re going to stadiums and so forth, obviously Justin be given an opportunity to show people.”
The Steelers revamped their quarterback room earlier this month, signing Wilson to the $1.21 million veteran’s minimum after the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback was released by Denver.
Kenny Pickett, the team’s first-round pick in 2022, asked for a trade after Wilson’s arrival, Tomlin said. So, Pittsburgh sent him to Philadelphia and , a first-round pick in 2021, from Chicago for a conditional sixth-round choice in 2025.
The Steelers also let Mason Rudolph (Titans) and Mitch Trubisky (Bills) leave in free agency.
The 35-year-old Wilson was 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade from Seattle. He bounced back from a dreadful 2022 season and threw for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, but still lost his job to Jarrett Stidham after going 7-8 in coach Sean Payton’s first season last year.
Wilson led Seattle to eight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in 10 seasons with the Seahawks.
The Steelers lost a wild-card playoff game with Rudolph as their starting quarterback. Rudolph went 3-0 after replacing Pickett, who was 7-5 before going down with an injury. Trubisky started the other two games and went 0-2.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh talks with reporters during an AFC coaches availability at the NFL owners meetings, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
“When the free agency process began, we only had one quarterback on our roster and so we were looking at every available person on the market,” Tomlin said. “It was just part of our process. Obviously when we got into it, and after (Wilson) got permission to talk. ... the conversations were very fluid and natural. He did his appropriate research on us, and I think that’s probably one of the more impressive things about the process from my perspective. His level of preparedness in terms of knowing us and who we are and how he might potentially fit just really put us at ease over the process.”
Fields was 10-28 on lousy teams in Chicago but showed flashes of being a . He completed 60.3% of his passes and threw for 40 touchdown with 30 interceptions. Plus, he ran for 2,220 yards and 14 scores.
“He oozes talent and potential,” Tomlin said. “He’s worn the responsibility of being a franchise quarterback, but still he gets an opportunity to come into a community-like situation and learn from a guy that’s been doing it for over a decade. Man, there’s a lot of meat left on that bone and I’m just excited.”
Releasing Wilson costs Denver an $85 million salary cap hit over the next two seasons but Payton has no regrets.
Asked if it was difficult to move on from Wilson considering the Broncos are taking the largest dead cap hit in NFL history, Payton responded: “No.”
He paused, and then added: “I mean it’s always difficult when you take a cap hit like that. We spent time deciding how we were going to take that and then we move forward again.”
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with reporters during an AFC coaches availability at the NFL owners meetings, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Stidham will get a chance to be Denver’s starting quarterback and Payton indicated the team is interested in trading with Arizona for the No. 4 spot in the draft.
“He’s definitely competing to be the starter,” Payton said of Stidham. “I don’t think we have a term ‘driver’s seat’ really. But he’s going to compete for that position. I know he’s anxious and excited to do that, and I’m sure there will be other candidates that will be competing with him.”
New Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated that J.J. McCarthy is the best quarterback in a draft class that’s expected to see Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye selected before him.
Harbaugh and McCarthy led Michigan to a national championship last season so the coach knows the QB better than most.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with reporters during an AFC coaches availability at the NFL owners meetings, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
“They could be adulating J.J. or being booed or being hit, and then this killer comes out,” Harbaugh said. “Whether it’s good, whether it’s bad, he’s got an extra gear especially when he’s being challenge. And you also see the big personality and (he’ll) do anything for another guy on the team. ... He’s incredible. Big market, small market, cold weather, hot weather, it wouldn’t matter. I’ve said it before. I think he’s the best quarterback in the draft. That’s my opinion. There’s great quarterbacks in the draft. He’s the one who plays quarterbacks the best.”
The Raiders signed veteran Gardner Minshew after he nearly led Indianapolis to the playoffs but the starting job is Aidan O’Connell’s to lose.
“You’re talking about a kid that has the mental toughness to play in the National Football League,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “Whatever happens and whatever we do, it has to go through Aidan O’Connell. Being honest with you because he’s earned that right.”
O’Connell completed 62.1% of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 TDs and seven interceptions as a rookie, going 5-4 after replacing Jimmy Garoppolo.
Jets coach Robert Saleh expects Aaron Rodgers to be ready for organized team activities in the spring after the four-time NFL MVP tore an Achilles tendon in New York’s season opener.
It’s no surprise since Rodgers had already resumed throwing late last season and was considering a comeback if the Jets would’ve been in playoff contention.
Saleh said he had no reaction when speculation arose that Rodgers was being considered as a running mate for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign.
“I think it was viewed a little bit differently in the political world than it was, at least in our world,” Saleh said.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski knows the importance of having a capable backup quarterback. Joe Flacco stepped in and went 4-1, helping the Browns reach the playoffs last season after Deshaun Watson was sidelined by a shoulder injury. But Flacco didn’t get a contract offer. Cleveland signed Jameis Winston instead of bringing back the 2023 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
“Your goal is to have your starter healthy for all 17 games and beyond but we know that’s a position that’s important for the team both in the meeting room, on the practice field, around the locker room so we feel like adding good players is a good thing at that position,” Stefanski said.
Winston, the No. 1 overall pick by Tampa Bay in 2015, spent the past four seasons as a spot starter in New Orleans, going 6-4.
As for Watson, Stefanski said his rehab is right on schedule. He and new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey visited Watson in Los Angeles earlier this month. “He’s right where he needs to be,” Stefanski said. “He has started throwing. Joe Sheehan, our trainer, went out and supervised some of his throwing. So we’ll see him in April when he gets back in and we’ll just continue that rehab.”
Stefanski did not offer any timeline on Watson in terms on when he’ll be full-go.
