Ping comes from a Chinese Character: 平.
It is short for Ping Chang (平常), which means common, ordinary and humble. It also means a state of calmness, a sense of balance and peace of mind. It is an idealism we want our design to achieve.
Ping is a landscape architecture and design firm founded in St. Paul, Minnesota, with the purpose of bringing design excellence to a broader audience. We believe design excellence is not defined by high-end materials or expensive finishes. It can emerge from ordinary things, a thoughtful arrangement of space, a deep understanding of place, or a simple gesture that enriches daily life.
We approach every project with humility rather than a preconceived style. We believe good design is about discovering what is appropriate to a site. It grows from the land, its history, and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Through careful observation and thoughtful intervention, we craft experiences and stories that deepen people's connection to the landscape.
It is short for Ping Chang (平常), which means common, ordinary and humble. It also means a state of calmness, a sense of balance and peace of mind. It is an idealism we want our design to achieve.
Ping is a landscape architecture and design firm founded in St. Paul, Minnesota, with the purpose of bringing design excellence to a broader audience. We believe design excellence is not defined by high-end materials or expensive finishes. It can emerge from ordinary things, a thoughtful arrangement of space, a deep understanding of place, or a simple gesture that enriches daily life.
We approach every project with humility rather than a preconceived style. We believe good design is about discovering what is appropriate to a site. It grows from the land, its history, and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Through careful observation and thoughtful intervention, we craft experiences and stories that deepen people's connection to the landscape.
Wanjing Ji
Founder and Principal
Wanjing is a cultural observer, a listener and a storyteller.
Influenced by her rich cultural heritage and travels to different parts of the world, she is intrigued by the way unique cultures and ecologies shape people’s approach in place-making. Through deliberate re-intervention and purposeful juxtapositions, her work skillfully unveils the profound narratives embedded in history and culture. Rich layers of textures gracefully overlay a minimalist framework, creating a captivating synthesis.
Prior to establishing Ping, Wanjing served as Design Director at Coen+Partners, where she spearheaded award-winning projects spanning crafted residential gardens to urban open spaces. Her adept management of complex teams was marked by a balance of rigorous design exploration and efficient project management, ensuring successful and timely project delivery.
She also actively engages in the ASLA community by serving on the National Education Advisory Committee and as co-chair of Education and Professional Development in the Minnesota Chapter.
Wanjing holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design and Bachelor of Architecture from Tsinghua University.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Wanjing is an avid practitioner of Ashtanga yoga. She enjoys spending time with her family, whether in their garden, exploring different playground, or embarking on journeys to various destinations.
Chad Miller
Senior Landscape Architect
Chad is a thoughtful designer, strategic thinker and creative problem solver who finds joy in crafting a vision and bringing it to reality. He is passionate about connecting people to place and to one another through design. A licensed Landscape Architect, he has led and contributed to a wide range of projects, including parks, streetscapes, urban redevelopments, resorts, master-planned communities, and private gardens, both in the U.S. and internationally.
With experience spanning landscape architecture, architecture, and urban design, he brings a holistic approach to shaping the built environment. Chad’s interdisciplinary background allows him to envision cohesive, context-sensitive solutions and collaborate successfully with clients, designers, and builders alike. He is motivated to create places that are not only functional and beautiful but deeply loved.
Chad is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned dual master’s degrees in architecture and landscape architecture.
Outside of work, Chad takes in the Minnesota seasons through gardening, hiking, and cross-country skiing. He also enjoys connecting with friends and family over meals and developing his artistic craft, primarily through oil painting.
