Unknown Studio
Unknown Studio is a Baltimore-based landscape architecture and urban design firm founded in 2018, serving government, universities, nonprofits, and private developers with park, waterfront, campus, and garden design services across the US.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Unknown Studio does
Unknown Studio is a Baltimore-based landscape architecture and urban design firm founded in 2018 by principals Claire Agre and Nick Glase, both formerly senior practitioners at the well-known firms West 8 and Reed Hilderbrand. The firm provides professional design services across parks, waterfronts, campuses, gardens, greenways, streetscapes, cultural landscapes, and rural estates, working from vision and master planning through construction administration. Its practice spans an unusually broad range of scales — from a 3,000 sq ft rooftop garden at Baltimore Peninsula to the 1,033-acre Longwood Gardens Master Plan to the 3-million-acre Giving Delta coastal restoration vision — delivered either as prime landscape consultant or as subconsultant within larger multi-disciplinary teams.
The firm's go-to-market is primarily by invited competition, direct commission, and partnership with larger architecture and engineering firms (Gensler, Hargreaves Jones, Biohabitats, Beyer Blinder Belle, Living Design Lab, Moffatt & Nichol). Clients include federal and municipal governments (US GSA, City of Miami Beach, City of St. Petersburg), universities (Yale, Duke, Ohio State, Johns Hopkins), nonprofits and cultural institutions (Trust for Governors Island, Longwood Gardens, Inner Arbor Trust, Land & Garden Preserve), and private developers (Weller Development, Stone Acres Farm). Geographic reach covers the US Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest, with one documented project in Quebec, Canada.
Revenue is generated through commissioned professional services fees, with project-based billing and no publicly disclosed pricing. The firm operates as a privately held Maryland LLC with 11–50 employees, is independently owned by its founders with no external investors, and has not raised institutional capital. The only documented inflow is a $5,000 Comcast RISE grant received in August 2023. The firm has accumulated a portfolio of named industry awards (ASLA Honor Awards across multiple chapters, AIA Honor Award, Architizer A+ Awards, American Planning Association "Great Places in America," Trumbauer Award) that serve as primary reputational signals in a relationship-driven industry.
Unknown Studio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Unknown Studio
- Legal name
- Landscape Architecture & Urban Design LLC
- Website
- https://unknownstudio.la
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Unknown Studio is a Baltimore-based landscape architecture and urban design firm founded in 2018, serving government, universities, nonprofits, and private developers with park, waterfront, campus, and garden design services across the US.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Unknown Studio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Services
- NAICS
- Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting (BPAHAKAG)
Keywords
Where Unknown Studio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Unknown Studio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Professional Services - Landscape Architecture: Revenue generated through commissioned landscape architecture and urban design services for institutional, government, and private clients. Projects include master planning, vision plans, design competitions, and full design services from concept through construction administration.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Unknown Studio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Unknown Studio is a landscape architecture and urban design firm providing professional services spanning parks, waterfronts, campuses, gardens, greenways, streetscapes, cultural landscapes, and rural estates. The firm delivers full-service design from concept and vision planning through construction administration, often collaborating with architecture firms and engineering consultants on large-scale public and institutional projects.
Product overview
Unknown Studio is a landscape architecture and urban design firm offering comprehensive design services across multiple project typologies. The firm's core offerings include landscape architecture (covering parks, gardens, residential landscapes, and institutional campuses), urban design (including master planning, district planning, and public realm design), framework planning for phased site development, design competition entries, and community engagement processes. Projects span categories including Park, Culture, Urban, Rural, Campus, Waterfront, Garden, Installation, Greenway, and Streetscape. The studio works across all phases from concept through construction administration, often collaborating with architecture firms, engineering consultants, and specialized design partners on large-scale projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Landscape Architecture Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Multiple award-winning projects including ASLA honors, AIA awards, and recognition from American Planning Association
Companies that use Unknown Studio
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Unknown Studio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Unknown Studio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
119 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- World Landscape ArchitectureminorClaire Agre invited to serve on the 2021 jury for World Landscape Architecture's professional awards, recognizing innovative work by landscape architects globally.
- Reed Hilderbrand LLCcoreNick Glase worked at Reed Hilderbrand, serving as Project Manager and Sr. Landscape Architect on projects including Roaring Brook (2014-2016), Stone Acres Farm (2015-ongoing), and Yale Science Hill master plan, working closely with Principals Gary Hilderbrand and Beka Sturges.
- West 8 urban design & landscape architecturecoreClaire Agre, Dave Zielnicki, and Lisa DuRussel worked at West 8, contributing to major projects including Miami Beach Soundscape (2009-2011), St. Pete Pier (2011), Longwood Gardens projects (2010-2017), Governors Island (2009-2016), Houston Botanic Garden (2015-2021), The Giving Delta (2013-2015), and Olentangy River Corridor (2017). Claire Agre served as Principal at West 8.
- Rios Clementi Hale StudiosminorNick Glase worked at RCHS (Rios Clementi Hale Studios) as co-lead designer on the Domenici Federal Courthouse project from Schematic Design through Construction Documentation (2009-2012).
- Mathews Nielsen Landscape ArchitectsminorSubconsultant on Governors Island Park and Public Spaces project alongside West 8 as Prime Consultant.
- Beyer Blinder BelleminorNew York-based architecture firm with historic preservation experience, part of the team for Land & Garden Preserve planning on Mount Desert Island, Maine.
- SiteWorksminorNew York-based operations and maintenance planning firm, part of the team for Land & Garden Preserve planning.
- The James W. Sewall CompanyminorEngineering firm from Old Town, Maine responsible for site, civil and transportation engineering for Land & Garden Preserve.
- SMRT Architects and EngineersminorPortland, Maine firm responsible for MEP and structural engineering for Land & Garden Preserve.
- Moffatt & NicholminorInternational maritime engineering firm responsible for maritime planning and coastal resilience for Land & Garden Preserve. Also worked on Patapsco Strand and The Giving Delta projects.
- GenslercoreBaltimore office serves as Master Architect and Lead Consultant for Baltimore RISE downtown vision plan.
- Living Design LabcorePrime Consultant for Symphony Woods project in Columbia, MD, working with Unknown Studio and Inner Arbor Trust.
- Marc Fornes / THEVERYMANYminorDesign partner providing amphitheater design for Town Branch Park in Lexington, KY.
- Hargreaves JonescorePrime Consultant for Patapsco Strand design competition, leading 11-mile shoreline design team with Unknown Studio as contributor.
- BiohabitatscorePrime Consultant for Kennett Greenway project. Unknown Studio serves as landscape architecture lead providing overarching principles, vision, environmental ethos, and planting design.
- BiohabitatsminorConsultant for Town Branch Park project in Lexington, KY.
- Rails to Trails ConservancycoreUnknown Studio worked with Rails to Trails Conservancy to create visualizations for the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network. Also collaborated on Canton Greenway project.
- BikemoreminorCollaborated with Unknown Studio on Baltimore Greenway Trails Network visualizations.
- Torti GallasminorArchitecture firm partner for Baltimore Peninsula Garden rooftop oasis project.
- Beyer Blinder BellecorePrime Consultant for Longwood Gardens Main Fountain Garden revitalization ($90M project).
- Vhb EngineeringminorConsultant for Yale Science Hill master plan project.
- Faithful+GouldminorCost estimation consultant for Yale Science Hill master plan.
- McAdams EngineeringminorEngineering consultant for Duke University Sculpture Park Vision Plan.
- Walter P MooreminorEngineering consultant for St. Pete Pier competition vision plan.
- Taylor Coastal Engineering TLC EngineeringminorEngineering consultant for St. Pete Pier project.
- Sam SchwartzminorTraffic planning consultant for St. Pete Pier project.
- HR&AminorEconomic advisory consultant for St. Pete Pier project.
- George F. YoungminorLandscape architecture consultant for St. Pete Pier project.
- Holmes Hepner & AssociatesminorConsulting partner for St. Pete Pier project.
- West 8coreNick Glase worked at West 8 as Project Manager and landscape team leader for Miami Beach Square district master plan competition (2013).
- Bjarke Ingels GroupminorDesign partner for Miami Beach Square district master plan competition.
- John Portman & AssociatesminorDesign partner for Miami Beach Square competition.
- Fentress ArchitectsminorDesign partner for Miami Beach Square competition.
- Revuelta ArchitectsminorDesign partner for Miami Beach Square competition.
- Schwebke ShishkinminorEngineering consultant for Miami Beach Square competition.
- DesimoneminorStructural engineering consultant for Miami Beach Square competition.
- Space SyntaxminorUrban analysis consultant for Miami Beach Square competition.
- Carlo Ratti Assoc.minorTechnology and design consultant for Miami Beach Square competition.
- Portman HoldingscoreDevelopment team for Miami Beach Square district master plan.
- Graham ProjectsminorPartner with Unknown Studio on Le Saule | The Willow installation in Montreal, an invited finalist in international design competition.
- Lateral OfficeminorPartner on Le Saule | The Willow installation project in Montreal.
- Toole DesigncorePartnership on Gwynns Falls Trail Signage project, providing wayfinding system design for 22-mile trail.
- CARMANminorConsultant for Town Branch Park project in Lexington, KY.
- EOPminorConsultant for Town Branch Park project.
- CMTAminorEngineering consultant for Town Branch Park project.
- Brown + KubicanminorConsultant for Town Branch Park project.
- PSCminorConsultant for Town Branch Park project.
- TM LightminorLighting consultant for Town Branch Park project.
- APE Studio Inc.minorConsultant for Town Branch Park project.
- Greenscape PumpminorLandscape consultant for Town Branch Park project.
- EHIminorConsultant for Town Branch Park project.
- SiteworksminorConsultant for Town Branch Park project.
- Assedo ConsultingminorConsultant for Patapsco Strand design competition.
- BiohabitatsminorEcological consulting for Patapsco Strand project.
- DMWminorConsultant for Patapsco Strand project.
- Living Design LabminorDesign partner for Patapsco Strand project.
- Neighborhood Design CenterminorCommunity design partner for Patapsco Strand project.
- Toole DesignminorTransportation design for Patapsco Strand project.
- Clark CondonminorLandscape architecture consultant for Houston Botanic Garden.
- Overland PartnersminorArchitecture partner for Houston Botanic Garden master plan.
- Walter P. MooreminorEngineering consultant for Houston Botanic Garden.
- IAN+AminorEngineering consultant for Houston Botanic Garden.
- Sweeney AssociatesminorConsulting partner for Houston Botanic Garden.
- Minor DesignminorDesign consultant for Houston Botanic Garden.
- SiteWorksminorOperations planning for Houston Botanic Garden.
- Olsson AssociatesminorEngineering consultant for Houston Botanic Garden.
- ELMscapesminorLandscape consultant for Houston Botanic Garden.
- Berg OliverminorBotanical consulting for Houston Botanic Garden.
- Lord Cultural ResourcesminorCultural resources consultant for Houston Botanic Garden.
- ETM AssociatesminorOperations and maintenance planning for Houston Botanic Garden.
- Fluidity Design ConsultantsminorWater feature design for Longwood Gardens Main Fountain Garden.
- L'Observatoire InternationalminorLighting design for Longwood Gardens Main Fountain Garden.
- Urban EngineersminorEngineering for Longwood Gardens Main Fountain Garden.
- Irrigation Consulting IncminorIrrigation design for Longwood Gardens Main Fountain Garden.
- Keast & Hood Co.minorStructural engineering for Longwood Gardens Main Fountain Garden.
- REALM CollaborativecorePartner in West 8 concept design team for Olentangy River Corridor project (2017).
- DEW IncminorToronto-based water feature design concepts for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens competition entry.
- LumenminorBoston-based lighting concepts for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens competition entry.
- Weiss | Manfredi Architecture & ProgrammingminorArchitecture and programming partner for Longwood Gardens 40-Year Master Plan (2010-2011).
- Sherwood Design EngineersminorEngineering consultant for Longwood Gardens Master Plan.
- Sam Schwartz Traffic PlanningminorTraffic planning for Longwood Gardens Master Plan.
- Fluidity Design ConsultantsminorWater feature design for Longwood Gardens Master Plan.
- Dagher EngineersminorEngineering for Longwood Gardens Master Plan.
- Stuart Lynn Cost EstimatingminorCost estimation for Longwood Gardens Master Plan.
- Moffatt & NicholcoreMaritime engineering for The Giving Delta project - First Prize winner in Changing Course International Design Competition.
- Louisiana State University Coastal Sustainability StudiominorAcademic partner for The Giving Delta coastal restoration project.
- University of New OrleansminorAcademic partner for The Giving Delta project.
- RAND CorporationminorResearch partner for The Giving Delta project.
- DeltaresminorResearch and engineering partner for The Giving Delta project.
- Magnusson Klemencic AssociatesminorStructural engineering for Governors Island Park.
- AKRFminorEnvironmental consulting for Governors Island Park.
- Hart Crowser Inc.minorGeotechnical consulting for Governors Island.
- PentagramminorGraphic design for Governors Island.
- Tillotson Design AssociatesminorLighting design for Governors Island.
- Dagher AssociatesminorEngineering for Governors Island.
- Pine and Swallow EnvironmentalminorEnvironmental consulting for Governors Island.
- Northern DesignsminorDesign consulting for Governors Island.
- LanganminorEngineering for Governors Island.
- FluidityminorWater feature design for Governors Island.
- Rogers Marvel ArchitectsminorArchitecture partner for Governors Island.
- Diller, Scofidio + RenfrominorArchitecture partner for Governors Island.
- Inner Arbor TrustcoreClient and partner for Symphony Woods project in Columbia, MD - a 33-acre woodland park vision plan.
- The Inner Arbor TrustcoreUnknown Studio led stakeholder engagement with Inner Arbor Trust to build community-driven concept design for Symphony Woods.
- RD Jones + AssociatesminorConsultant for Baltimore Peninsula Garden project.
- Onyx StructuralminorStructural engineering for Baltimore Peninsula Garden.
- STV IncminorEngineering for Baltimore Peninsula Garden project.
- Setty & AssociatesminorLandscape engineering for Baltimore Peninsula Garden.
- Meliora DesignminorDesign partner for Kennett Greenway project.
- McMahon & AssociatesminorEngineering consultant for Kennett Greenway project.
- STV, Inc.minorSite, Civil, Utilities Engineer for Baltimore RISE vision plan.
- The Traffic GroupminorTraffic and multimodal advisory for Baltimore RISE.
- RK&KminorTraffic and multimodal engineering for Baltimore RISE.
- MCB Real EstateminorPartner developer for Baltimore RISE project.
- Société de développement du Village gai de MontréalminorClient for Le Saule | The Willow installation - invited finalist in international design competition.
- McAdams EngineeringminorEngineering for Duke University Sculpture Plaza Phase 1A.
- LHC Structural EngineeringminorStructural engineering for Duke University Sculpture Plaza.
- Jeffrey Bruce CompanyminorConsulting partner for Duke University Sculpture Plaza.
- Jaffe HoldenminorAcoustics consulting for Duke University Sculpture Plaza.
- Newcomb & BoydminorEngineering for Duke University Sculpture Plaza.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Unknown Studio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates: Boutique-to-mid-scale landscape architecture firm with comparable typology (Brooklyn Bridge Park, etc.) and direct competition for waterfront, park, and institutional commissions from Unknown Studio's target client set.
- PWP Landscape Architecture: Berkeley-based landscape architecture firm with comparable typological breadth (campus, urban, waterfront) and similar client prestige. Competes for similar ASLA-recognized institutional commissions.
- OLIN: Mid-sized landscape architecture and urban design practice working on comparable institutional campuses, cultural landscapes, and urban parks. Operates in similar market segment with overlapping client base including universities and public agencies.
- James Corner Field Operations: Specializes in large-scale urban landscapes and public realm projects (High Line, etc.), directly comparable to Unknown Studio's Governors Island, St. Pete Pier, and waterfront portfolio. Similar competition set for invited design competitions.
- Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects: Documented as Unknown Studio's subconsultant partner on Governors Island. Comparable mid-sized firm working on waterfront parks, cultural landscapes, and urban public realm with overlapping client base.
- Reed Hilderbrand: Founder Nick Glase was a Project Manager at Reed Hilderbrand. The firm operates in an identical typological niche (campus landscapes, gardens, estates, cultural institutions) with comparable client prestige (Yale, Longwood Gardens) and design ethos.
- West 8 urban design & landscape architecture: Founder Claire Agre served as Principal at West 8 and multiple Unknown Studio projects originated from West 8 commissions. West 8 is a direct peer in scale, typology (urban parks, waterfronts, large master plans), and client base (public sector, cultural institutions).
Broad incumbents
- Sasaki Associates: Major interdisciplinary design firm with established landscape architecture practice. Competes with Unknown Studio on campus master plans, urban districts, and waterfront projects but with much larger team and broader service portfolio.
- SWA Group: Large, established landscape architecture and urban design practice with significantly broader portfolio and bench. Overlaps with Unknown Studio on waterfront, campus, and public realm commissions but operates at materially larger scale.
Emerging players
- Hood Design Studio: Boutique landscape and urban design practice with comparable focus on cultural landscapes, public realm, and community-driven design. Comparable in scale to Unknown Studio and active in similar competition circuit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Unknown Studio social profiles
Digital presenceUnknown Studio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Unknown Studio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Unknown Studio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Unknown Studio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Unknown Studio
What does Unknown Studio do?
Unknown Studio is a landscape architecture and urban design firm providing professional services spanning parks, waterfronts, campuses, gardens, greenways, streetscapes, cultural landscapes, and rural estates. The firm delivers full-service design from concept and vision planning through construction administration, often collaborating with architecture firms and engineering consultants on large-scale public and institutional projects.
Is Unknown Studio a public or private company?
Unknown Studio is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Unknown Studio founded?
Unknown Studio was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Unknown Studio based?
Unknown Studio is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Unknown Studio make money?
One revenue line is on record: professional Services - Landscape Architecture.
Who are Unknown Studio's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, PWP Landscape Architecture, OLIN, James Corner Field Operations, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, Reed Hilderbrand and West 8 urban design & landscape architecture. Broad incumbents are Sasaki Associates and SWA Group. Hood Design Studio is listed as an emerging player.
Does Unknown Studio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Unknown Studio.
What industry is Unknown Studio in?
Unknown Studio's product category is Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAG, Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting. Its NAICS code is 541320.