Founded in 1989 by James Burnett, FASLA in Houston and led today by Burnett and his partners in six 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.

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 four 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 bestows 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.

Our comprehensive view of landscape health is based on a design first philosophy, with a holistic view of the entire life cycle of projects. We begin with two key planning advisories. OJB*lab is the research arm of the practice and a think tank for the firm. The *lab investigates and analyzes design decisions to drive innovation in the field. The *lab works in unison with early design exploration teams to experiment, research, brand, and publish. We ask difficult questions to continually improve our process. Through the lens of ecological, environmental, infrastructural, and social aspirations, we analyze and examine environmental conditions that contribute to positive design choices.

Public Realm Services

A second vital advisory is our public realm planning specialists, studying a space’s complete potential for programming, activation and sustainable business and operations practices. Led by Principal Tara Green, we consult with municipal leaders and applicable stakeholders and create a plan for authentic and vibrant public spaces.

We work with public and private entities to preserve, repair and restore access to open space and landscape environments. By discussing operations, governance, programming and long-term activation, OJB PRS works hand in hand with clients to develop blueprints for success that balance public and private interests with social and economic equity. We believe public realm spaces must not only be beautiful, functional, and well designed; they must also be safe, easy to maintain, flexible, and inspire opportunities for building community and achieve the brand promise of the site.

Continuing Care

As a supplement to our design capabilities, our care team, led by Levi Johnson, is a maintenance and advisory service that ensures the longevity and health of landscapes. Our team is focused on how sites evolve so plants and people continue to thrive. Comprised of experienced horticulturists and plant scientists, the care team advises on strategies and regimens that support optimal conditions long after the build is complete. We often work with established maintenance teams to adapt existing care guidelines to new sites, as well as develop new protocols for landscape care.

The care team consults early in the design process to contribute knowledge of plant and soil properties to ensure a holistic view of plant curation and selection. We aim to protect the investment in landscape and maintain healthy and vibrant sites for every season. As our climate continues to change, this investment is an especially critical.

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 is in the process of an updated renewal label.

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.