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
System Engagement
Status
Built
Material
Kiln-dried SPF Lumber 2x4
Affiliation
Taubman College University of Michigan
Course
ARCH 708 Systems Engagement
Role
As the lead computational designer, collaborated with designers to transform initial napkin sketches into fully programmed digital definitions. Worked closely with fabricators to integrate robotic constraints, establishing a feedback-informed design system.
Lead Investigators
Arash Adel
Researchers
Ben Lawson, Ryan Craney, Sarah Nail, Gabrielle Clune, Andrew Hoover, Juliette Zidek
Students
Ruxin Xie, Daniel Ruan, Xinran Li, Jingwen Song, Mehdi Shirvani, Mackenzie Bruce, Chris Humphrey
Structural Engineers
Robert Silman Associates Structural Engineers (Nat Oppenheimer, Omid Oliyan, Justin Den Herder, Paul Evans)
Construction Assistants
Abdallah Kamhawi Tharanesh Varadharajan Ali Fahmy Elliot Smithberger Qian Li Nadim Hajj Ahmad Joshua Powell Ivan Gort-Cabeza de Vaca
Tool Box
Rhino, Grasshopper (2)KUKA KR60 6-Axis Industrial Robot
Social Media:
Awards:


© ARG
© ARG
© ARG
© ARG
This full-scale timber pavilion explores how robotics and design computation can unlock more resourceful and low-carbon ways of building. Constructed from short, regionally sourced 2x4s—including off-cuts and reclaimed wood—the structure demonstrates how automation can transform otherwise discarded material into intricate architectural assemblies with minimal waste.

As the lead computational designer, I translated early sketches into parametric design scripts, embedding feedback loops that aligned spatial intentions with robotic constraints. I worked closely with the fabrication team to ensure the robotic tooling and assembly strategies remained feasible, efficient, and expressive.

The pavilion was assembled on-site at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor, creating a public space with filtered light, airflow, and layered textures. More than a structure, it’s a working prototype—testing how digital tools, sustainable materials, and human-robot collaboration can shape the future of design and construction.