Siyao was born and raised in northwest China, a landscape she now sees reflected in the terrain and atmosphere of Eastern Washington. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Tsinghua University in Beijing, then moved to the United States to complete her Master of Architecture at the University of Michigan.

Her experience spans libraries, private residences, and many projects in between. Siyao draws inspiration from the contrasting environments of China and Seattle, and she brings a deep appreciation for the vernacular traditions of both places.

In her spare time, Siyao enjoys playing film scores on the piano and illustrating natural and imagined landscapes in watercolor.