Celine (Ben) Xu

Hong Kong, China
B.A. Architectural Studies (First Class Honours); minor in Finance, University of Hong Kong

With experience in socially responsible design practice, Celine joins MSRED aiming to materialise a development model that shifts asset-heavy focus to synergetic design, financing and management involving the public, developers and government. She hopes to examine articulation mechanisms that actively engage stakeholders in development to balance public and private interest, and create desirable built environment.

Before coming to MIT, Celine worked at Aedas Hong Kong office, a global architectural design practice celebrating local solutions. She participated in public space planning of multiple mixed-use projects over 200,000 sqm in Asia and Europe, including the largest urban renewal project in Greece. Her guiding design principle was to preserve continuity of both spatial and cultural context through decomposing mega development into continuous “urban interiors” in welcoming scales to adjacent communities.

Prior to professional career, Celine got bachelor’s degree in architectural studies from the University of Hong Kong. During university, she led rural revitalization projects oriented with community-based tourism in remote villages of China, Southeast Asia and Africa. In joint effort with villagers through field studies and open discussions, she tailored planning and operating strategies for sustainable rural tourism according to local attributes and demands.

Celine also contributed to her family business of housing development in East China. She had successfully transformed unused sales centre into students’ event space for school district residences, which enhanced community liveability and vibrancy of vacant space.

Beyond studies and work, Celine is passionate about installation and visual arts, with various works exhibited. In her free time, she enjoys taking long urban walks, observing the city with fresh eyes.