Andy Leach, PLA
PRINCIPAL, ART DIRECTOR
Andy is an accomplished art director and experienced landscape architect whose career has been shaped by a lifelong passion for wildlife, wild places, and the power of visual storytelling. With a background that bridges fine art and ecological design, he brings a rare fluency in both the creative and technical aspects of placemaking.
Andy began his career on the East Coast, contributing to acclaimed projects at leading firms such as OLIN and Andropogon Associates. His move to the West Coast marked a shift toward immersive, mission-driven work in zoo and aquarium design—where his love of the natural world and his artistic sensibilities find their fullest expression.
With a fine arts degree in painting and specialized study in scientific illustration, Andy’s skills are as precise as they are expressive. His time with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology deepened not only his illustration portfolio but also his understanding of animal anatomy and movement—insights that continue to inform the authenticity of his design work.
Whether shaping early concepts or refining visual narratives, Andy’s ability to communicate ideas clearly and beautifully is a vital force in the design process. His thoughtful, collaborative approach helps teams see the big picture while staying attuned to detail, ensuring that every project is as emotionally compelling as it is visually striking.
Education:
2012 Certificate Science Illustration, California State University Monterey Bay
2006 BS Landscape Architecture, Temple University
1993 BFA Painting Concentration, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Registration:
Landscape Architect, State of Pennsylvania
Practice:
2026 Principal, SH|R Studios
2021 Senior Associate, SH|R Studios
2016 Senior Associate, Studio Hanson | Roberts
2015 Nature-Based Illustrations, Independent Consultant
2014 Senior Landscape Architect, AKRF Inc.
2013 Senior Landscape Architect, Land Collective
2012-15 Science Illustrator, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
2012 Landscape Graphic Artist, Bellinger, Foster, Steinmetz Landscape Architects
2007 Senior Landscape Architect, OLIN
2006 Landscape Designer, Andropogon Associates, Ltd.
2004 Landscape Designer, OLIN