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Education


School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Master of Architecture (Emphasis in Interior Design)
August 2019 – May 2022
  • Recipient of academic scholarships

Beijing University of Technology (BJUT)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Interior Design)
September 2015 – July 2019
  • Recipient of academic scholarships

Work Experience


Wight & Company
Junior Architectural Designer
June 2022 – Present
  • Middle East Qatar Autism Children's School
    Produced detailed construction documents and designed wayfinding systems tailored for autistic students. Presented project updates at company-wide meetings.
  • Mobile, Alabama Government Office Building
    Key contributor in space planning from concept design to construction documents. Coordinated project deliverables and streamlined team collaboration.
  • Suburban Chicago Nursing University Addition
    Actively involved in all project phases, focusing on facade design, interior layouts, and construction documents, ensuring compliance with local codes. Communicated with clients and consultants to align design objectives.
  • Confidential Mixed-Use High-Rise | Chicago South Loop
    Designed facade, rooftop, and podium details during the schematic phase. Developed 3D models to support team collaboration and client presentations.
  • Chicago State University Campus Master Plan
    Prepared presentation materials, including site models, design models, and diagrams, to highlight innovative campus transformation strategies.

Odd Okamoto Deguchi Design, Beijing
Interior Architecture Intern
May 2021 – August 2021
  • Assisted in concept design, 3D modeling, construction documents, and material selection for multiple interior architecture projects.

Beijing Libeiya Decoration Co., Ltd., Beijing
Interior Architecture Intern
May 2018 – July 2018
  • Conducted research, created floor plans, and developed 3D models for villa projects. Produced design proposals with SketchUp renderings and presentation materials.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Graduate Assistant
September 2021 – August 2022

Teaching Assistant
January 2021 – May 2021
  • Supported teaching for the "Light and Space in Architecture" course within the Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects.

Laituo Design Studio, Beijing
Assistant Interior Designer
June 2017 – September 2017
  • Collaborated on public facility designs and developed proposals. Improved exhibition models through rendering techniques and participated in design discussions at the Xibaipo Landscape Design Conference.

CY Design Studio of BJUT
Graphic Designer
September 2015 – February 2016
  • Created promotional videos and illustrations for campus campaigns. Designed and produced creative products, including shrinkable metal sheets and decorations.

Awards


Agri-Cultural Oasis – Honorable Mention
International Architecture Competition (in collaboration with Samana Group) | Summer 2024
  • Designed an off-grid farm and cultural tourism center in the Dominican Republic, integrating sustainable agriculture with cultural activities to promote eco-tourism and community engagement.

Exhibitions


International Exhibitions

Time Decide
Beijing Design Week 2018 | NON LOCAL – Architectural Exhibition | Anxious Architecture – Non-Famous Architects Exhibition
Dates: October 1–14, 2018
Venue: 798 Art District, Beijing, China
https://www.bjdw.org/

Translucent Radiance
Maison & Objet | Paris Design Week 2025
Dates: January 16–20, 2025
Venue: Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, Paris, France
Curator: Desz (New York)
Theme: "Emotional Thinking and Craft Thinking"
https://www.maison-objet.com/

From Stillness to Surge: A Narrative of Elemental Transformation
Intersecting Realities | The Holy Art – Art On Loop Paris
Dates: February 20–23, 2025
Opening Night: February 20, 2025
Venue: 43 Rue Notre Dame de Nazareth, Paris, France (Virtual Exhibition on site)
https://www.theholyart.com/

Found and Discovered
LoosenArt | International Group Exhibition
Dates: April 21 – May 1, 2025
Venue: LoosenArt Gallery, Rome, Italy
https://loosenartexhibitions.it/


Exhibitions in the United States


Translucent Radiance
Woman Made Gallery | 26th International Open
Dates: March 1–29, 2025
Venue: Woman Made Gallery, 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607
https://womanmade.org/

Agri-Cultural Oasis
Fields and Foundation | Temple Gallery
Dates: January 10–16 and January 25–31, 2025
Venue: Temple Gallery, 108 Madison St., New York, NY 10002
Curators: Jianrui Li & Vincent Yee Foo Lai
https://templegallerynyc.com/

Translucent Radiance
INTO THE LIGHT | Art Fluent Online Exhibition
Exhibition: Online Gallery
https://art-fluent.com/


Professional recognition


Al-Tiba9 Directory 2025
https://www.altiba9.com/
Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art | International Artist Directory
Category: Architecture & Design

Press & Media Features

VOGUE CHINA 


Title: "Art and Design Have Greater Power to Evoke Human Emotions" - Ten Artists' Works Gathered in Paris Maison & Objet 2025 Spring Exhibition
https://www.vogue.com.cn/fashion/brand_news/news_102gf5e01ae508af.html

DESIGN SCENE


Title: "Exploring Emotions and Craft at Maison & Objet Exhibition"
https://www.designscene.net/2025/01/maison-objet-emotion-craft.html

ARCHISCENE


Title: "Spotlight on 'Translucent Radiance' at Maison & Objet"
https://www.archiscene.net/art/translucent-radiance-installation/

WOMAN MADE GALLERY


Title: "Xueqi Zhang"
https://womanmade.org/artwork/xueqi-zhang/

AL-TIBA9 CONTEMPORARY ART

THE ARTS TO HEARTS PROJECT


Title: Upcoming "Time and Memory" Virtual Exhibition and Artist's Book
https://artstoheartsproject.com/

LOOSENART


Title: "Found and Discovered"
https://loosenartexhibitions.it/3-Found-and-Discovered

ART FLUENT


Title: "INTO THE LIGHT"
https://art-fluent.com/gallery/into-the-light/

AMAZING ARCHITECTURE


Title: "Agri-Cultural Oasis: Sustainable Living and Dominican Traditions"
https://amazingarchitecture.com/visualization/agri-cultural-oasis-sustainable-living-and-dominican-traditions

THE HOLY ART MAGAZINE


Title: Upcoming Issue 08 – To be published in April 2025

ARTS THREAD


Title: "Future Architecture and Extended Reality: What is the Architectural Potential of a Space That Can Be Digital and Physical"
https://www.artsthread.com/portfolios/future-architectureand-extended-reality--what-is-the-architectural-potentialof-a-space-that-can-be-digital-and-physical

ARCHINECT


Title: "Agri-Cultural Oasis Sustainable Living and Dominican Traditions"
https://archinect.com/XenaZhang/project/agri-cultural-oasis-sustainable-living-and-dominican-traditions

THE VISUALIST 


Title: "26th International Open"
https://thevisualist.org/2025/03/26th-international-open/

CHICAGO GALLERY NEWS 


Title: "26th International Open at Woman Made Gallery"
https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/events/26th-international-open

SANDBOX ARCHITECTURE 


Title: "FINAL RESULTS of the OFF GRID FARM Competition by Samana Group"
https://sandbox.archi/final-results/

COMPETITIONS.ARCHI


Title: "Results: Off Grid Farm Competition"
https://competitions.archi/competition/results-off-grid-farm/

BOLD JOURNEY


Title: "Meet Xena Zhang"
https://boldjourney.com/meet-xena-zhang/

CANVASREBEL


Title: "Meet Xena Zhang"
https://canvasrebel.com/meet-xena-zhang


Skills

  • Design Tools: Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Revit, Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper, V-Ray, Lumion, Enscape, Twinmotion
  • Modeling & Rendering: 3D Max, Unity, Unreal Engine
  • Media & Art: Graphic Design, Ceramics, Video Editing, Photography
  • Advanced Technologies: Game Design, Virtual Reality (VR)