Xiye was inspired to become a landscape architect after witnessing the physical connections between the environment and the human experience that a landscape architect can create. She loves to work on large impact public and commercial projects, and strongly believes in architecture in connection with nature. Xiye draws from a large array of design experience, including freelance design for furniture, gaming, dance, and stage, as well as many graphic design projects.

Xiye is from Chongqing, China, and received her Bachelor’s Degree of Landscape Architecture at Tongji University in Shanghai. She then moved to the Midwest and received her Master’s Degree of Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota. Xiye was drawn to Chicago by the urban design project of North Lakeshore Drive, and she feels a strong connection to Lake Michigan. She is always exploring the different restaurants and amazing food in Chicago, especially in the West Loop. Xiye is also a huge video game fan—she’s been playing with her father since she was four years old.