Design focus at Tulane inspires architecture grad

Leah Bohatch found early inspiration from the colorful architecture and rich blend of cultures in her hometown of Miami.

That same spirit and energy drew her to New Orleans five years ago as an undergraduate at Tulane. In May, she will graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture, a five-year professional degree, from the Tulane School of Architecture.

In her time at Tulane, she has become well known for her artistic ability and eye for color. Bohatch credits her parents for fostering her love of art from an early age.

“Growing up in Miami, we had so much access to an amazing art scene. My parents also never limited me in my artistic passions—they would take us to all of these art museums and landmarks all over the world,” she said.

Bohatch said she especially loved Tulane’s studio culture and its emphasis on design.

At the School of Architecture, she was supported by professors who helped her explore not only how to make beautiful drawings, but to use design to solve problems. She credits architecture professor Margarita Jover and Iñaki Alday, dean of the School of Architecture, for never limiting her ideas.

“They both have this strong background in landscape architecture and showed us how it can influence our projects so people can inhabit and enjoy a project from the exterior and interior,” she said.

Bohatch recalls the energy she felt working with her peers at Richardson Memorial Hall on the uptown campus before it closed due to the pandemic and later for renovations. 

“I miss those days where all the architecture students were in the same building working or hanging out,” she said. “So many friendships were formed in that building.” 

Bohatch has accepted an offer at SHoP Architects in New York, which just won the 2022 American Prize for Architecture and are leaders in utilizing design and fabrication as tools to create such projects as the Barclays Center. 

“Sometimes I think of architecture and my career in a fantastical way — I want to be able to do work that is important in the industry. I want to be at firms that are looking to be leaders in future and current conversations,” she said.