Founded in 1989 by James Burnett, FASLA in Houston and led today by Burnett and his partners in five offices across the country, OJB values the human condition and the importance of community. The work affirms the public realm as our shared responsibility and a place for discovery, engagement, and change.

Transforming public spaces is central to our mission. The work weaves together ecology and play, celebrates discovery and delight in the landscape, and allows people to connect to the natural world in new ways. Our evidence-based approach to design respects natural ecologies and is an active learning model that continually informs our work. We strive for dynamic community input and feedback, and to express the special genus of each place.

OJB has been recognized with more than one hundred significant national and international awards for projects, including three ULI Open Space Awards, a global competition of the best public spaces. OJB is the recipient of the 2020 national design award in landscape architecture from the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian National Design Museum as well as the 2015 firm award from the American Society of Landscape Architecture.

From campuses to workplaces, from the streetscape to the roofscape, we continually seek ways to connect people with nature. We know that well-being is intimately tied to our relationship with the natural world, and we must balance access to our public landscapes with their ability to be sustained. We explore the boundaries between architecture and landscape, infrastructure, and beauty, to create highly performing landscapes that meet our desire to gather together, find solace and respite, and support health and happiness.

The success of landscapes – environmentally, socially, and economically – are inextricably entwined. The exploration of this intersection is at the heart of our mission.

OJB has been recognized with over one hundred significant national and international awards for projects, including three ULI Open Space Awards, a global competition of the best public spaces. The firm is the 2020 recipient of the National Design Award for Landscape Architecture from Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian National Design Museum. OJB was awarded The Landscape Architecture Firm Award in 2015, the highest honor that the American Society of Landscape Architects may bestow on a landscape architecture firm. James Burnett, FASLA was awarded the Design Medal by the ASLA in 2016, its highest individual honor for exceptional work produced at a sustained level.

OJB Landscape Architecture is a collective landscape and urban planning practice inspired to create beauty and find unexpected moments in the natural world. Founded in 1989 by James Burnett, FASLA in Houston and led today by Burnett and his partners in five offices across the country, OJB values the human condition and the importance of community. The work affirms the public realm as our shared responsibility and a place for discovery, engagement, and change. We share a core belief that there is a sound way to connect and preserve ecosystems and that a resilient future is essential for our health and well-being.

At OJB, our goal is to be leaders in our industry for creating positive change— environmentally, aesthetically, and socially. We constantly review and refine our policies to create an environment that values diversity, ensures equity, and promotes inclusion. As a testament to our dedication, we are proud to have attained the Just 2.0 label, awarded by The International Future Living Institute. This label is supported by 22 social equity indicators, spanning six comprehensive categories that establish measurable benchmarks. These categories encompass creating positive change and inclusion, promoting equity, prioritizing employee well-being and benefits, demonstrating stewardship, and adopting responsible purchasing practices. Notably, we are among the select group of approximately 150 organizations worldwide and one of only three dedicated landscape architecture firms to have received this certification. OJB was initially certified in April 2022, and our commitment will be reaffirmed during the renewal process in May 2024.

The Just label represents just one aspect of our dedication to fostering a more sustainable and equitable built environment. We are proud foundational supporters of Project Ignite, a long-term developmental mentoring and scholarship program focused on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students, in partnership with the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF). This multi-year program encompasses three core components: an annual scholarship, summer internships, and ongoing mentorship opportunities. OJB has been instrumental in establishing and continuing these efforts, recognizing the importance of education, mentorship, and systematic change within our profession.

Additionally, OJB actively supports NAMLA, the national association of minority landscape architects. In addition to providing micro-grants to students and young professionals, we actively engage in portfolio reviews and collaborate on developing long-term pathways for advancement. Furthermore, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our participation with BlackLAN, the Black Landscape Architects Network. We embrace their mission to enhance visibility, support interests, and amplify the impact of Black practitioners in the field of landscape architecture. One of our emerging leaders was recently elected to the Emerging Professionals Council, further reinforcing our dedication to fostering professional growth and representation.

Through this holistic approach, we actively strive to create a workplace where every individual’s voice is heard, valued, and empowered, ultimately driving positive change within our organization and beyond. Learn more about the label and our social justice and equity practices here.