Licensed Architect in California & Nevada/Designer/Drafter
Xu is originally from China. Having begun her career in automobile engineering, she later moved to the United States to pursue studies and opportunities in architecture. She earned a Master of Architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University on the East Coast and subsequently worked in Washington, D.C., for two years.
During a vacation to the West Coast, she visited Lake Tahoe and was drawn to its scenic landscapes, ski resorts, and mountain architecture. With a long-standing interest in the relationship between nature, people, and the environment, she decided to make the Tahoe area her home. She strives to make a meaningful and positive contribution to the local community through her work.
During a vacation to the West Coast, she visited Lake Tahoe and was drawn to its scenic landscapes, ski resorts, and mountain architecture. With a long-standing interest in the relationship between nature, people, and the environment, she decided to make the Tahoe area her home. She strives to make a meaningful and positive contribution to the local community through her work.
All Staff
My wife and I hired Kurt Reinkens of MWA in 2005 after we purchased land to build a vacation home in the Lake Tahoe resort community of Lahontan. MWA was and still is, in our estimation, the top architectural firm in the Tahoe area, and our experience with MWA over the course of the design and construction of our home exceeded even our high expectations.
MWA is intimately familiar with the design standards in the area in general and in Lahontan in particular. It is clear that Lahontan's Design Review Board (LDRB) has developed a high degree of familiarity and trust with MWA, and this trust was integral to what ended up being a relatively smooth and hassle-free process with the LDRB. MWA was able to anticipate the needs of the LDRB and, in the few occasions were design modifications were recommended, come up with creative solutions that met those recommendations efficiently and cost-effectively.
MWA is also quite good with builders. Unlike some architects who design imaginary buildings that are extremely difficult or expensive to construct, MWAs designs, while innovative and always interesting, are practical and buildable. MWA was very involved with my builder throughout the construction process and worked to address his issues and questions in a timely manner.
Finally, the architectural aspects of our recently completed home are amazing. It seems that we notice new architectural features to the structure every time we visit our home. We couldn't be happier with the architecture of the structure, how the rooms and spaces are in synch with one another, how the house relates to the natural environment, and the window placements and rooflines, just to name a few aspects that stand out.
I would recommend MWA to anyone for these reasons. Our experience was overwhelmingly positive.
-- Caine Moss
MWA is intimately familiar with the design standards in the area in general and in Lahontan in particular. It is clear that Lahontan's Design Review Board (LDRB) has developed a high degree of familiarity and trust with MWA, and this trust was integral to what ended up being a relatively smooth and hassle-free process with the LDRB. MWA was able to anticipate the needs of the LDRB and, in the few occasions were design modifications were recommended, come up with creative solutions that met those recommendations efficiently and cost-effectively.
MWA is also quite good with builders. Unlike some architects who design imaginary buildings that are extremely difficult or expensive to construct, MWAs designs, while innovative and always interesting, are practical and buildable. MWA was very involved with my builder throughout the construction process and worked to address his issues and questions in a timely manner.
Finally, the architectural aspects of our recently completed home are amazing. It seems that we notice new architectural features to the structure every time we visit our home. We couldn't be happier with the architecture of the structure, how the rooms and spaces are in synch with one another, how the house relates to the natural environment, and the window placements and rooflines, just to name a few aspects that stand out.
I would recommend MWA to anyone for these reasons. Our experience was overwhelmingly positive.
Powered by Invisible Gold 3.98 - 6/22/2026 - Login