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
Social Equilibria
Year
2021
Location
Forte Marghera, Venice, Italy
Status
Built
Material
GFRP, Monofilament, Hytrel
Exhibition
Biennale Architettura 2021 - How will we live together?
Affiliation
Taubman College University of Michigan
My Role
Researched, scripted, and fabricated custom foam tile flooring with a parametric puzzle typology for structural components
Scripted, programmed, and CNC-cut polycarbonate brackets Rapidly prototyped GFRP tubing connections
Conducted structural performance research to ensure installation stability
Lead Investigators
Sean Ahlquist
Evgueni Filipov
Researchers
John Hilla, Tracey Weisman, Yingying Zeng
Students
Yi-Chin Lee, Maria Redoutey, Ruxin Xie
Tool Box
Rhino, Grasshopper 3-Axis Refurb CNC Router, WaterJet, LaserCut



Large-scale knitting requires a robust yet lightweight structural system. Professor Sean Ahlquist’s previous research demonstrated the success of using GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) rods for structural integrity and ease of installation. However, as installations increased in scale and transitioned to outdoor environments, structural components needed retesting, and material changes became necessary. This became my primary focus during the research period. 

My role involved testing alternative materials, refining structural systems, and ensuring feasibility for outdoor applications. That period laid a strong foundation for material exploration, critical inquiry, and idea development. Most importantly, it was a time for hands-on creation. 


Working with Professor Ahlquist taught me to view architecture through a sensory lens, supported by scientific experimentation, precise machining, and all the other hands-on processes that bridge design concepts with tangible outcomes—from prototyping and material testing to full-scale fabrication and assembly.