Jason Hill is principal of SH|R Studios, a zoo and planning design firm which seeks to promote and participate in conservation by design.
The studio has an international client base and has worked on projects such as The High Canopy for the Southeast Asia Jungle Track at Auckland Zoo, New Zealand, the master plan for Sacramento Zoo, US, design, construction and administration for The Green Planet Science Museum in Dubai, UAE, and the Campus Plan and Concept design for Peru National Aquarium.
In 2024, The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden announced that it had appointed the studio to develop a comprehensive plan that embodies the institution’s objective of promoting human-wildlife connections through innovative, sustainable, and engaging advancements.
This project is set to include a world-class reptile and amphibian preserve, enhanced visitor accessibility and experiences, and updates for some of the attraction’s best-loved habitats, like Oklahoma Trails, Great EscApe, and the Children’s Zoo.
Hill specialises in zoo design and has worked on numerous award-winning projects during his 15-year career. As a wildlife enthusiast, he strives to develop habitats where animals may thrive and people can reconnect with nature. Diverse experiences inform his work, including elephant care and wildlife habitat master planning across the globe.
“With a background in landscape architecture and an extensive career in zoo design, he and his partner Keith have transformed SH|R into one of the world’s premier zoo design firms. Jason has overseen multiple award-winning projects at top-tier zoos and aquariums globally, bringing a refined design aesthetic and thematic sensibility comparable to Disney-level experiences,” says one person who nominated Hill.
“Both with clients and in the studio, Jason is a charismatic and thoughtful leader who excels at transforming scattered feedback and information into a strategic and focused vision. SH|R is one of the most compelling an influential companies working in zoo design today, thanks largely to Jason’s skills as a leader and creative.”