Based out of Bend and Portland, we are a women-owned landscape architecture practice working throughout the Pacific Northwest. Together we have over 30 years of professional experience designing parks, plazas, terraces, streetscapes and courtyards for institutional, public and non-profit clients. We offer full design services from concept through construction for urban and rural sites at all scales. We seek design opportunities that allow us to partner with clients to express their values in the landscape, celebrate the unique stories embedded in each place, and craft high quality landscapes for all.
Understory is certified by the State of Oregon as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and an Emerging Small Business (ESB).
Andrea Kuns ASLA, PLA
Co-Founder
Andrea has practiced landscape architecture for 14 years in the Pacific Northwest, managing public open space projects across the region. With a background in ecology and landscape architecture, Andrea brings creative problem solving, technical expertise, and a collaborative working style to her projects. She has extensive experience leading large consultant teams to execute complex built projects. Andrea’s work experience encompasses a range of project types including parks and natural areas, waterfronts, civic spaces, campuses, and mixed-use projects.
Andrea holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Earlham College.
She is a registered landscape architect in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.
Amy Cragg ASLA, PLA
Co-Founder
Amy has practiced landscape architecture for over 16 years in both Seattle and Portland, playing leading roles on award-winning cultural, campus, and urban design projects throughout the country. Amy develops clear design narratives for every project enabling clients, stakeholders and the design team to align on a shared vision. She has a passion for discovering the unique stories of a specific place in order to amplify their presence in the landscape. Amy’s natural sense of curiosity, paired with deep listening, lead to design solutions that are both inclusive and thoughtful.
Amy holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington and a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Macalester College.
She is a registered landscape architect in Oregon.
Our Approach
In our practice we embrace the extraordinarily complex, sometimes messy, beautifully textured side of the landscape with focus on narrative, human experience, and ecology.
Our research-based design approach celebrates the unique qualities of each place. We use techniques like historic research, mapping, analysis of regional natural history and ecology, field observations, and detailed site photographic documentation to uncover lost stories in the landscape.
We work with clients and collaborators to develop a conceptual framework for every project. This framework is effective as a guide to help make decisions throughout the design process to reinforce project goals and create a clear vision.
Collaboration is more than just listening. Great design and vibrant landscapes grow out of a repeated cycle of inventing and sharing ideas with a project team. Our designs grow out of this collaborative mindset.
Equity is important to our practice. By centering marginalized voices our communities can become more inclusive and welcoming places. Landscapes can support and reflect this ethic.
All design choices have an ecological and climate impact. We use this thinking to inform project decisions and strive to implement climate positive strategies such as sourcing regional materials, specifying climate-adapted plant palettes and increasing the biodiversity of landscapes we touch.