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 designs for the future. We use evidence-based design practices to create spaces for rejuvenation and community. Our ethical and sustainable designs employ methods of continued care—including plant scientists and horticulturists—to ensure service for years to come.
OJB stands on its core values of forward-thinking design, pragmatism, and dependability. To us, it’s not simply about designing an aesthetically pleasing space. We strive to craft spaces that enhance the human experience and create opportunities for meaningful gathering.
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.
A Principal in the Philadelphia office, Allison earned a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Coe College. She is a licensed landscape architect in Pennsylvania. Allison has over 15 years of professional experience combining practical research with emerging design practices. As a co leader of OJB* Lab, she is a passionate advocate for finding evidence-based solutions to our complex and interrelated environmental challenges. She was the Primary Investigator for an 18-month interdisciplinary field study funded by the Landscape Architecture Foundation, which focused on measuring and analyzing the impact of air pollution point sources on landscapes adjacent to highways. A multi-industry advisory group was assembled to review the data and help develop better industry practices. Through the lab, she draws on her background in physics and material sciences as she continues to find new performance standards and approaches in project applications. An advocate for equity and accessibility, Allison is active with several landscape architecture committees including Philadelphia’s Design Advocacy Group, the Landscape Architecture Foundation, and the Transportation Research Board.
Sam joined OJB in 2013 with the Houston office before transferring to the Philadelphia office in 2018. He earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Pennsylvania State University. With more than 13 years of experience in workplace, park, educational, retail, and mixed use, Sam works closely with clients and project teams to lead design, development, and execution of project plans. As a Principal, Sam’s strong background in project execution, management and quality assurance allows him to efficiently guide diverse and technically challenging projects through successful completion. He believes a good outdoor space is characterized by thermal comfort, planting shade, and human safety. As a leader in the Philadelphia office, he also understands the importance of collaboration and is dedicated to working with his team and clients to create landscapes that are accessible and welcoming to all. Growing up in the greater Philadelphia area, he is keenly attuned to the potential for landscapes and outdoor environments to enhance and rejuvenate urban communities. In his free time, Same enjoys spending time with his family, and reading books.
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.
