About Us

Our Approach

Apiary Studio is a fully design-build landscape architecture practice devoted to the creation of meaningful, spirited landscapes. We strive to develop beautiful spaces through meticulous craftsmanship, conscientious use of diverse and uncommon plant species, and innovative construction materials. Apiary Studio believes in the power of collaboration with our clients and project partners to achieve optimal design solutions that improve people’s lives and enrich their daily experiences. We pride ourselves on being nimble and adaptable, and take equal enjoyment in design development for large, multi-phase projects as we do with field work for small and surgical applications.

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Our Team

Founded in 2015 by Hans Hesselein, Apiary Studio is a team of designers and builders that create landscapes in and around Philadelphia PA. We provide the full suite of landscape architectural services from site inventory & analysis, schematic design, visualization and rendering, construction documentation and administration as well as master planning and horticultural consulting. We believe in the principles of value-based design that improves the physical environment and contributes to the greater culture around us.

Hans Hesselein, RLA, Principal

Possessing hands-on knowledge of construction, landscape installation, and nursery production, Hans’ design sensibilities are rooted in the physical experience of working directly with plants and materials. Hans holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University, and has spent time working internationally in Germany as well as at several New York City landscape architecture firms. He previously served as Executive Director of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy in Brooklyn, NY, where he was responsible for developing and managing green infrastructure projects, watershed planning initiatives, and volunteer stewardship programs. Hans is an adjunct professor at Jefferson University, where he teaches two courses on the history of Landscape Architecture.

Dan Alvarez, Construction Manager

Dan Alvarez brings nearly two decades of construction experience to Apiary Studio, with a varied set of experiences that have spanned from bespoke furniture making and metal fabrication to ground-up commercial and hospitality buildouts. Dan studied studio photography at the University of Southern Florida and spends his free time fixing up his personal home, riding dirt bikes, and treasure hunting.

Allyson Church, Landscape Designer

Allyson comes to the field of Landscape Architecture from backgrounds in the arts and farming. She holds a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and worked for several years in regenerative farming and urban agriculture before pursuing a graduate degree in Landscape Architecture at Temple University. While studying ecological restoration, Allyson’s fields of interest have included ecological landscape design in urban settings, and the multifunctional use of historic cemeteries as urban green spaces. She strives towards a holistic life that balances art-making, community engagement, landscape design, growing flowers and vegetables, and spending time with friends and loved ones.

Tucker Jones, Lead Carpenter

Tucker Jones is a deft craftsman who brings an architect’s sensibility and problem solving to carpentry and woodwork. Tucker holds a BS in Architecture from Temple University and an MArch from Portland State University with a Certificate in Public Interest Design. He trained as a timber framer in Charleston, SC and worked previously for Philly-based Tiny WPA helping to develop their custom fabrication program and mentoring their building heroes. Much of his career has been focused on designing and fabricating custom and specialty pieces of art and architectural detailing. At heart, he loves designing and building the things the people touch and interact with . Tucker can be found exploring Philadelphia and cooking for family and friends.

Martha Keen, Horticulture Manager; Partner

Martha is responsible for Apiary Studio’s horticulture arm, including gardening installation and maintenance operations, in-house propagation, and planting design. She is a graduate of the Professional Gardener Program at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA, and holds a BA in philosophy and the history of math and science from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM. Previously, Martha worked at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY for the Design and Construction department. Most recently, Martha was employed as the landscape manager at Wyck in Germantown, a National Historic Landmark containing America’s oldest rose garden.

Liz Moore, Horticulturist

Liz Moore hails from Southern Louisiana and took coursework in horticulture at Temple University. Liz began her career in cut flower production, working at JigBee in Kensington, Philadelphia before branching out into fine gardening and ecological restoration for several landscaping companies in the region. Among their many pastimes, Liz enjoys taking day trips outside the city, cooking meals with loved ones, and of course gardening recreationally too.