Ruxin Xie

Ruxin (pronounced as Ru-shin) is a researcher, designer, and lifelong maker. Her work lies at the intersection of art, architecture, mechanics, and robotics.  
She lives with a tabby cat named TT — Tiny Tiger. ᓚᘏᗢ

Curriculum vitae
Publications
Contact

2025
XXXBuildfest 2024Bethel, NY, USAXXIXRobotic SetupsPrinceton, NJ, USA
2023
XXVIIIThe ObservatoryCupertino, CA, USA XXVIITree House[Concept]XXVIGoogle StoreSanta Monica, CA, USAXXVCat LampCupertino, CA, USA
2022
XXIVSystems EngagementAnn Arbor, MI, USA
2021
XXIIICocoonAnn Arbor, MI, USAXXIISocial EquilibriaVenice, ItalyXXITopology Optimized Building Envelope Ann Arbor, MI, USAXXPoly-Fractal PackingAnn Arbor, MI, USAXIXPneumatic Origami Self FoldingAnn Arbor, MI, USA
2020
XVIIIDesign Ecologies of Glass[Concept]XVIIArchitecture {AI}[Concept]XVIVolumetric KnittingAnn Arbor, MI, USAXVShelf - Generative DeisignAnn Arbor, MI, USAXIVLight LeakAnn Arbor, MI, USAXIIITriByteAnn Arbor, MI, USAXIIMantaAnn Arbor, MI, USAXIHoursteelAnn Arbor, MI, USA
2019
XContext. Community. Co-op. Core[Concept]IXPlayscapeAnn Arbor, MI, USAVIIIExquisite LampAnn Arbor, MI, USAVIIKnitted InflatablesAnn Arbor, MI, USA
2018
VIEngageAnn Arbor, MI, USAVFantastic Beasts And Here They Are[Concept]IVAnimation and Architecture[Concept]
2017 and Earlier
IIISponge at Crossroad[Concept]IIBridge Church[Concept]IBirdwatching Pavilion[Concept]
Life

Drawings
Photography
Cooking




© 2017–2025 Ruxin Xie
Context. Community. Co-op. Core
Year
2019
Location
Detroit, MI, USA
Instructors
Michael Kennedy, Kit Krankel McCullough
Students
Roberto Corpus, Kemper Fagan, Ruxin Xie
Status
Concept
Affiliation
Taubman College University of Michigan
Course
ARCH 572 System Studio
Program
Affordable Housing
Role
Authored winning proposal, securing one of three permanent festival structures.
Led computational design and project management
Managed robotic fabrication, on-site assembly, documentation, and purchasing logistics.
Designed custom robotic end effectors: timber grippers, automated nail guns, tool-change system, and CNC saw cutting stations.
Tool Box
Sketches, Rhino, Model Making, Adobe Suite



CONTEXT. COMMUNITY. CO-OP. CORE. is a housing project centered on community engagement and neighborhood cohesion across four scales: neighborhood, site, building, and program details. Drawing inspiration from the functionality and pre-engineered systems of agricultural and produce structures, this project embraces low-cost, customizable design. The prefabricated, flexible system facilitates high-design moments, open floor plans, and a crafted yet low-tech aesthetic, aligning with the light-industrial character of Detroit’s Eastern Market.


This design combines an economical shell with a detailed, collaborative interior layout, using farmhouse typology as a modern take on the Quonset hut. 

The project meets the demand for small-scale, multi-family housing that blends with the evolving warehouse district, supporting flexibility and customization to meet diverse community needs.
Outdoor spaces are categorized as public, semi-public/semi-private, and private, defining shared and individual areas based on site ownership and community engagement. This approach supports casual, community-driven living for residents within Detroit's light-industrial landscape.