For the MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission 2026, Beijing-based architect Xu Tiantian presents Bamboo theatre, an architectural-scale installation that draws on the landscape, material knowledge and building traditions of Songyang County, a mountainous region of Zhejiang Provence where dense bamboo forests edge local villages and verdant terraced tea plantations. Recognised as one of China’s leading female architects, Xu is internationally celebrated for designing socially engaged architecture that supports local economies and vernacular construction methods unique to the context of each project. Working predominantly in rural regions of China, Xu’s practice foregrounds collaboration with local communities and the careful reuse of existing buildings, harnessing traditional materials and techniques.

Handcrafted from locally sourced bamboo, Bamboo theatre reflects the enduring use of bamboo in contemporary architecture and continues Xu’s exploration of circular building typologies, seen across several of her widely published architectural projects. Referencing the power of the circular floor plan – present in the architecture of many cultures worldwide – the installation invites reflection on how architecture fosters community and creates spaces for connection and dialogue. Incorporating a large-scale multimedia element, the project invites visitors to experience the distinct atmosphere and architectural expression for which Xu and her studio, DnA_Design and Architecture, is celebrated.

The MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission is a major series inviting internationally renowned female designers and architects to create significant new work for the NGV Collection. The five-year program is supported through M-POWER, MECCA’s social change initiative that champions opportunities for women and girls through the power of art, design and cultural storytelling.

The NGV warmly thanks MECCA for supporting the acquisition of this work.