OJB works collaboratively as one landscape architecture firm across our offices. As active participants in our local communities, we also strive to amplify and celebrate the distinct qualities that make each place unique.
Leading Landscape Architecture + Planning
OJB begins landscape architecture with the future in mind. With every design produced, factors are considered such as the space’s natural conditions, environmental impact, available resources, and long-term maintenance.
OJB stands on its values of visionary pragmatism, dependability, and forward-thinking design. All projects utilize green infrastructure to create functional spaces in the effort to unite communities and fight against climate change. The future can be bright, and OJB is here to craft it.
Jim Burnett, FASLA is a leading voice in contemporary landscape practice through his writing, advocacy and dedication to creating meaningful spaces that challenge the conventional boundaries of landscape architecture. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University, Jim founded the Office of James Burnett in 1989 and has continued to lead the firm for more than 30 years. Originally aspiring to be an architect, Jim’s passion for landscape architecture blossomed under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Reich at LSU’s Environmental Design School.
From the beginning of his professional practice, Jim has been keenly interested in the intersection of landscape and wellness, and the power of nature to profoundly change the way we experience the world. Jim was instrumental in using landscape to heighten the healthcare industry’s awareness of its critical importance in patient comfort and advancing patient rehabilitation and expediting patient recovery schedules. He helped change the healthcare design conversation from “illness” to “wellness” and established a need for early inclusion of a landscape program into the design process. Jim’s innovative approach exposed patients, healthcare professionals, and visitors to a new environment that allowed them to experience the beauty of nature in the form of new gardens, trails, courtyards, roof gardens, and fountains. Jim’s influence and perspective on healing and restorative design have changed the role of landscape architects on healthcare facilities ever since.
A natural connector and collaborator, Jim’s work weaves together multiple disciplines to bring science and design together in surprising new ways of accommodating human interaction. Jim’s most recent design work has been focused on the restoration of our cities and the aesthetic, economic, environmental, and social transformation of our urban centers. Through his design of great urban parks, he has been at the forefront on the integration of strong programming into the design process and operations of the parks. The success of these efforts is clearly evident in cities such as Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Houston, to name just a few.
Jim was appointed to the US Department of the State Industry Advisory Group in 2016 and is currently serving his second term as a respected design peer. He is a frequent speaker and invited critic on urban planning and landscape design of public parks and open spaces. Jim is a tireless representative of the profession through many lectures, visits to schools, and published articles. He is a strong spokesman for the ASLA and landscape design. He has served on many ASLA committees, including awards juries where he has served chairman and the CEO Roundtable.
Jim is a Registered Landscape Architect in 26 US states and Canada. In 2004, Jim was elected to ASLA’s Council of Fellows, and in 2016 Jim was honored as the recipient of the prestigious ASLA Design Medal, an annual designation that is bestowed upon Landscape Architects for their ongoing commitment to the profession and an exemplary sustained body of work. Jim and the OJB practice are the 2020 National Design award recipients for Landscape Architecture from the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian National Design Museum.
Cody Klein joined OJB in 2011. He earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) from Oklahoma State University. As a Partner leading OJB’s Boston and Philadelphia offices, Cody Klein stands out as a formidable driving force in the world of landscape architecture, steering the ship of innovation and design excellence. With a penchant for leadership and a commitment to impressive design, Cody’s influence has been nothing short of transformative. As Partner-in-Charge for projects in Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas, his unique blend of creative ingenuity and a profound appreciation for the environment has yielded award-winning projects that not only captivate with their elegance but also endure through time with their practicality. Beyond his portfolio, Cody’s ability to foster inclusivity and collaboration within the design process makes him an invaluable asset to the company. Originally from a small town in rural Arkansas, Cody draws inspiration from both urban living in Boston and a connection to nature.
He is a proud Alumni and frequent speaker, recently being selected as the OSU – Ferguson College of Agriculture Alumni Early Career Achieve award. In his free time, Cody finds inspiration for his designs in the intimate moments of nature. He enjoys exploring Vermont with his family, which includes going hiking, swimming, fishing, golfing, skiing, and sledding.
Simon has been with the OJB Boston office since its opening in 2013. He holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Purdue University and is a licensed landscape architect in Massachusetts and Maine. With two decades of professional landscape architecture experience, Simon is highly skilled in managing projects across a wide range of scales and typologies. As a Principal, he implements key decisions in all project phases and motivates his team to question ideas and deliver the highest quality of work possible. His expressive designs are characterized by their sensitivity to user concerns, ecological cognizance, and durability. Growing up in rural Indiana and having worked in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston, Simon is knowledgeable about plant ecologies, materials, and microclimates across multiple regions of the United States. In his free time, Simon enjoys spending time with his wife and kids.
Drew joined the OJB Boston office in 2014 after working in Denver and Austin. Drew earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Purdue University. As a Principal in the Boston office, Drew fosters a comprehensive design culture married with technical exploration. He leads teams that explore complex environmental and constructional concerns with humanistic outcomes. His pragmatic thinking and knowledge of multiple technical disciplines helps him identify site complications and keep projects running smoothly in all phases of development. Drew is a strong proponent of open collaboration and is highly skilled in helping clients and team members achieve their project goals. In all projects, he navigates material experimentation with environmental responsiveness. Having lived in several regions of the United States, Drew enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family outdoors whenever he can.
Christa Mahar leads OJB’s marketing and communications efforts, managing overall strategy for client engagement as well as promotion and publications. She joined OJB in 2019 after more than 25 years of marketing leadership for some of the most successful international architectural practices in Boston and New York. Christa has developed and managed production of multiple monographs and project publications, and served as editor of five design books, including OJB’s first monograph, Envisioning Landscapes. Her experience also includes the organization of several traveling architectural exhibitions, from archival research to design, production and catalogue publication. Her collaborative approach is integral to OJB’s business relationships and development efforts.
Andrew joined the team at OJB in 2016, following an internship with the firm in 2015. Andrew earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Andrew is a Director in the Boston office, where he leads the design, management, and technical execution of projects. A clear communicator and conscientious builder, Andrew is skilled at managing projects of all scales and typologies from hospitality complexes to mixed-use residential spaces. He has held a series of increasingly responsible positions and has developed into a highly sought-after project leader. In his free time, he is an avid golfer and outdoorsman and enjoys bringing his understanding of outdoor recreation and natural systems to the design and management of projects.
We are always in search of talented, passionate professionals who are interested in creating places that elevate the human experience. Explore our open positions and tell us more about yourself.
