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
XXI
Topology Optimized Building Envelope
Topology Optimization (TO) is a mathematical method that optimizes material layout in a design space. It considers loads, boundary conditions, and constraints to improve performance. This method identifies and removes areas that do not contribute to stiffness or force flow.
This project combines TO with robotic 3D printing of plastic to create an ultra-lightweight, recyclable, and material-efficient building envelope system. The optimization includes wind and gravity loads and connection points to the building structure. Large-scale pellet extrusion poses challenges in starting and stopping extrusion precisely. This research addresses this issue by developing advanced tool-path strategies and hardware control methods, improving the quality of printed components.