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 is an urban design firm pioneering the power of sustainable design. Every OJB design utilizes the area’s natural environment and maintains its appeal through smartly utilized resources. An OJB design is beautiful and brilliantly crafted to be a place of gathering.
Our designs also emphasize continued care. At OJB, we won’t simply design a space and forget it. We work with scientists and horticulturists to ensure our parks and gardens are taken care of long after design and construction because we know thousands of locals will gather in these spaces for years to come.
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.
Kyle Fiddelke earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University. With over 24 years of experience, Kyle is a Partner who has been with the firm since 1998. He played a pivotal role in shaping OJB’s west coast office in 2002, and since has become instrumental in expanding the team to include 25 talented designers. Kyle’s landscapes are beautiful and practical, encouraging human interaction with the natural environment and reinforcing a seamless relationship between architecture and the landscape. At the core of Kyle’s design philosophy lies a profound belief in the therapeutic properties of plants and their profound impact on the human experience. His conviction centers on the idea that a well-designed landscape can educate people about the vital role of nature in both the built and natural environments. Kyle is constantly seeking to expand his knowledge and educate others, and he regularly takes speaking opportunities at numerous conferences and events, including the Society for College and University Planning and ASLA. He has been a member of the San Diego ASLA chapter since 2005 and was a member of the chapter board from 2005-2007.
Meg oversees the general operations of the firm and guides the development and execution of the firm’s strategic plan. Meg’s primary focus is to ensure that the firm achieves its short- and long-term financial goals while honoring OJB’s commitment to design excellence and passion for landscape architecture. Meg is dedicated to the growth and development of the team and hiring the best and the brightest talent for OJB. Meg was instrumental in establishing OJB’s operational protocol, including the firm’s key performance metrics, processes, reporting tools and employee performance planning. These initiatives were implemented over the last 12 years and have helped align and support the growth objectives of the firm.
Since she began working for OJB in 2003, Meg has been instrumental in establishing and evolving the firm’s operating platform, including leadership structure, recruiting strategies, EDI initiatives, key performance metrics, contract management, and performance-focused planning. Meg lives in North County, San Diego with her two kids, two dogs and husband.
Dillon joined OJB in 2006 immediately after graduating. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. As a Partner, Dillon has been with the firm for over 17 years. He started his career at OJB, where he has held a series of increasingly responsible positions from Associate up to his current role as Partner. Through his years at OJB, his projects have fallen under a wide range of scale, including creative workplace, mixed-use, retail, and urban design projects throughout the U.S. and Mexico. With his collective experience, he has worked with several accomplished architects, making him a highly sought-after collaborator. Studying the intersection of the natural and social context of a place to inform the public realm is central to Dillon’s process. Underpinning all his design work is his cohesive approach to planting design and deep respect for sense-of-place and ethic of environmental responsibility. In his free time, he also is a thoughtful writer and speaker, including contributions to Urban Land Institute and ASLA.
Nathan joined OJB in 2008, following two successful internships at different companies and two years of experience working as a project manager and landscape designer at another urban planning and design firm. He graduated from Louisiana State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. As a Principal at OJB in San Diego, Nathan is a distinguished designer and landscape architect known for his excellence in master planning, conceptual site design, grading, planting design, and project management of public parks, academic landscapes, corporate campuses, and cultural institutions. He has a proven track record in successfully leading and overseeing a wide range of projects, including urban parks, corporate headquarters, academic landscapes, and mixed-use developments across the United States. Nathan’s work is driven by a dedication to project success, marked by a creative, environmentally sensitive, and client-centric approach. A pragmatic optimist, he is drawn to the challenges presented by complex programs, challenging regulatory environments, and demanding sites. When he’s not in the office, Nathan is an avid outdoorsman, and finds inspiration for his native planting projects while hiking mountains and canyons across California.
Andrew joined OJB in 2012, after working for RDG Planning & Design where he aided in the designs for several urban parks and college campus landscapes. He earned a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University. Andy is a Project Director, who is responsible for implementing and documenting the design for the project. He leads design coordination with the project team and manages the day-to-day contact with the internal design team and the full project team. Andy has been instrumental in several of OJB’s largest and most complex projects and has a wealth of technical expertise that underpins his design ethos. He specializes in detail-level design and enjoys the puzzle of integrating thoughtful details cohesively into the site. Andy particularly enjoys designing areas for children’s play and appreciates the joy that well-designed play spaces bring to children and their families. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his children, visiting play areas that inspire his designs.
Chris joined OJB in 2012. Chris earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Virgina Tech. As Technical Director at the Solana Beach office, Chris plays a pivotal role as a bridge between the design documentation process and the tangible construction outcomes. With a wealth of project experience, Chris brings a deep understanding of construction detailing, site conditions, and a problem-solving approach, all of which greatly benefit our on-site operations. Drawing from his extensive design background, his skillset encompasses streetscapes, parks, academic facilities, and masterplan mixed-use developments, providing a solid foundation for the translation of intricate design plans into actionable construction processes. In his free time, he draws inspiration from spending time on outdoor adventures with his three children and exploring the California coast.
Judy joined OJB in 2012. Judy earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona. While at Cal Poly Pomona, she was honored with an ASLA Award of Excellence for her work in the publication Subsurface. As a Project Director in OJB’s Solana Beach office, Judy manages projects from early conceptual design to final completion and helps oversee the ongoing care of several built OJB landscapes. Her focus on materials and earth-based systems is her greatest tool in deploying sustainable design, construction practices, and instituting maintenance strategies that are specific to the ecological characteristics of their site. A natural collaborator and clear communicator, Judy’s working style invites cross-disciplinary exploration of design and construction solutions. She is also keenly attentive to the cultural and natural history of sites and seeks to find the authentic sense of place with natural materials and local planting palettes. Growing up outside of Los Angeles, the team often consults Judy’s extensive knowledge of Southern California and Southwestern plants and architectural history. Living in Encinitas, California, she enjoys taking her three kids to all the parks and open spaces around the city and throughout greater San Diego. She finds continued design inspiration from seeing her kids’ interactions with nature.
Eric joined the OJB team in early 2014, bringing with him over 15 years of professional experience from a variety of projects throughout California. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University – Pomona and is a registered Landscape Architect in California. As a Director, Eric is experienced in managing projects from initial design to a built product and enjoys seeing an idea become reality. With a strong technical background, he has an eye for detail which can be seen in all aspects of his work. Eric takes pride in developing strong client relationships and collaborating with consultants to ensure the successful completion of all projects. As a native Californian, he takes care to create authentic landscape experiences using local trees and shrubs that not only inspire but are also sustainable. In his free time, he enjoys finding new native plantings that he can employ in his designs.
Ally joined OJB’s Solana Beach office in 2023. She is a registered architect in the state of California and earned a Bachelor of Architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she has taught as a lecturer. In her dual role as Technical Director and IT Manager, Ally serves as an advocate for practical tools that enhance efficiency and foster design innovation throughout the organization. She is deeply rooted in the application of computational tools, making her a vital liaison and educator in the fields of 3D modeling and graphic design software solutions. With more than a decade of professional experience in architecture and design technology management, her proficiency in BIM management, data analysis, automation, intricate geometrical structures, computational design, visualization techniques, and the implementation of large-scale technology for design and construction, ensures that the firm maintains its agility in both design and project delivery methodologies. Outside of work, she is a frequent presenter across the industry and as a guest lecturer and juror for several universities.
Alex joined OJB in 2014. He earned his Master of Landscape Architecture from University of Georgia. His early professional experience included working at TSW in Atlanta. As an Associate Technical Director, Alex is a seasoned landscape architect, who possesses a remarkable proficiency in technical design and 3D applications. His specialization lies in resolving intricate design challenges. With a background in plant sciences and molecular genetics research, he brings a unique perspective to the OJB design team. Alex’s journey into landscape architecture was inspired by his enduring love for nature, encompassing a deep appreciation for the environment, animals, and plant life. However, his passion for graphics, art, design, technology, and a desire to serve the public ultimately steered him toward landscape architecture. Alex’s work is rooted in the belief that design can enrich lives by making nature and the built environment more accessible.
Outside of his professional life, Alex’s interests include exploring and documenting ‘accidental’ landscapes. He has a strong affinity for wild, untouched nature, and he often seeks inspiration from pristine wilderness. His love for backpacking and hiking has taken him to various parts of the world, including the High Sierras in California, Germany, Scotland, and Sweden. These experiences have significantly shaped his perspective as a landscape architect.
Richard Neuffer earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University and is a licensed Landscape Architect in California. As Associate Technical Director in the Solana Beach office, Rick is a key conduit between civil engineers, structural engineers, and architects on all stages of landscape construction. His extensive background in construction detailing and knowledge of contextual design principles is a strong platform in which to translate complex design plans into productive, stress-free construction processes. With over 23 years of experience, he offers a comprehensive grasp of design, collaboration, coordination, and construction processes, particularly within the realm of high-end retail and resort landscapes throughout southern California and Las Vegas. Joining OJB in July 2023, Richard hopes to bring his passion for creating human-centered spaces to the Solana Beach team.
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.
