Originally from Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, a city famous for its ancient Chinese architecture and vinegar, Xiaopeng loves to cook – suggesting that he could probably be an experimental chef. He also enjoys spending time playing with his daughter and jogging, especially if he has some extra time and can fit in a long-distance jog to take in the scenery.

Attributing Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as one of his greatest inspirations, Xiaopeng likes to embrace the idea “less is more” when it comes to design. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Shenzhen University in China and a Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis.

Illinois Institute of Technology’s Crown Hall is one of Xiaopeng’s favorite buildings.