09 Jan 2026
Over the passing of time, historic buildings and ancient villages are more than mere footnotes of history - they are laboratories for a sustainable future. Recently, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Foundation DaST, a Portuguese state-recognised foundation for cultural heritage protection, officially signed a MOU with each other.
Leveraging profound academic expertise and global restoration experience, the two parties have embarked on a deep dialogue regarding heritage conservation and sustainable futures in the rural village of Torrão, located in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
From Jiu Xian in Yangshuo to Palácio Belmonte
Frederic Coustols, the founder of Foundation DaST, has dedicated over half a century to the protection and rejuvenation of cultural heritage worldwide. His restoration philosophy transcends mere physical reinforcement; it is an awakening of "genius loci" (the spirit of place).
Frederic Coustols at Palácio Belmonte, Credit: Foundation DaST
Palácio Belmonte, Credit: Foundation DaST
From the "Jiu Xian Garden Village" in Yangshuo, China - a place imbued with Oriental nostalgia -to the revitalised Palácio Belmonte in Lisbon, and the historic Castelnau des Fieumarcon in Southern France, Coustols has brought new lives while maintaining the originality of those places. The partnership between the Department of Architecture at XJTLU and the Foundation marks a significant extension of this cross-cultural collaboration of heritage preservation in the paradigm of architectural education.
Castelnau des Fieumarcon, Credit: Foundation DaST
旧县大地艺术 Credit: Foundation DaST
Torrão Lab: A "sustainability laboratory" for the future
Since 2022, the Foundation has established the "Torrão Lab" in the remote Portuguese village of Torrão. Like many rural areas globally, Torrão faces the challenges of depopulation and an aging community. However, in the eyes of Foundation DaST, Torrão is not a desolate land but a testing ground for "post-growth" economic models, sustainable living, and artistic creation. By forging organic connections between natural landscapes, traditional crafts, and contemporary life, Torrão Lab seeks to outline a sustainable future within this ancient fabric. It serves not only as a hub for academic research but also as a residency for global artists and students, allowing them to explore how at-risk villages can be transformed back into vibrant living communities within a real-world social ecosystem.
Torrão Lab, Credit: Liwen Zhang
Fieldwork under the sun of Alentejo
Over the past three years, the Design School at XJTLU and Foundation DaST have conducted a series of research and teaching collaborations. In January 2024 and June 2025, teams of faculty and students from XJTLU traveled to Torrão for research residencies. These initiatives have expanded into ARC final year projects, interactive installation design and construction, and multi-media exhibitions, involving over 50 participants. Here, education transcends the classroom, finding the boundaries of social intervention through design amidst rich local heritage and conversations with local residents.
Torrão Lab, Credit: Foundation DaST
Documenting the Torrão Lab
The depth of academia is reflected not only in blueprints and papers but also in the resonance between people. During the 2025 workshop, the Design School collaborated with Yibin Yu from AFCT and Director Bo Yang to create a documentary for Foundation DaST’s initiatives in Torrão.
"Architecture is silent poetry, while cinematography gives it breath." The creative team led by Yibin Yu and Bo Yang acted not just as recorders of the project, but as observers of this cross-cultural exchange. They ventured into the alleys of Torrão, capturing the silhouettes of students discussing sustainable solutions under the scorching sun and the laughter shared between young Chinese artists and local villagers as they co-created installations.
Torrão Lab, Credit: Liwen Zhang
Torrão Lab, Credit: Liwen Zhang
Recently, the team completed a short film as a prelude to a forthcoming feature-length documentary. This film precisely captures the unforgettable moments shared by the XJTLU team and the villagers of Torrão a few months ago. This is more than a record of a field trip; it is a profound reflection on "land, people, and the future." This precious footage crystallizes the academic ideals of the faculty and students and serves as a vital testament to this strategic partnership, amplifying China’s voice in the global discourse on sustainable development.
Torrão Lab, Credit: Liwen Zhang
Safeguarding local values with a global perspective
The strategic cooperation between XJTLU and Foundation DaST is more than a sharing of academic resources; it is the cultivation of global citizenship. Moving forward, both parties will continue to explore further possibilities of rural revitalisation and cultural preservation in Torrão. The documentary, carrying the memories and aspirations of the participants, will become an essential bridge connecting the cultural heritage of both nations and promoting the ethos of sustainable development.
Story provided by Jiashi Yu
Producer: Yibin Yu, Jiashi Yu
Cinematography: Yibin Yu, Bo Yang
Post-production: Yibin Yu
09 Jan 2026