Industry Research Report: Best Landscape Architecture Firms and Global Design Trends

Professional landscape architecture has evolved into a critical component of 21st-century infrastructure, moving beyond simple aesthetic gardening to encompass complex urban design and ecological management. The identification of the best landscape architecture firms requires an analysis of their ability to integrate social, economic, and environmental solutions into the public and private realms 2. Modern firms are increasingly tasked with addressing climate resilience and urban connectivity through data-driven design and responsible stewardship of natural resources 3.

Global Leadership in Urban Design and Planning Infrastructure

SWA Group stands as a prominent global entity in landscape architecture, urban design, and planning, emphasizing that landscape serves as essential infrastructure for livable worlds. Their project portfolio includes the 100-acre Hill at Sims in Houston, which represents a significant investment in long-neglected urban neighborhoods, and the Seoul World Trade Center urban forest project 1. The firm’s methodology focuses on nurturing ecosystems and reconnecting communities divided by previous highway construction, as seen in the Halperin Park project in Dallas 1.

Large-scale global projects often require a multidisciplinary approach that blends culture and ecology. SWA Group’s involvement in EXPO 2020 in Dubai and the Hunter’s Point South Park in New York exemplifies the integration of global climates and resilient design 1. The latter project was recognized as one of the best examples of New York City architecture within the past decade, highlighting the firm's impact on high-density urban environments 1.

Integrated Philosophies: The Intersection of Social and Economic ROI

The firm HGOR utilizes a proprietary 'SEE' philosophy, which stands for Social, Economic, and Environmental solutions, to resolve site-specific challenges. This approach is designed to ensure that landscape projects provide a tangible return on investment while maintaining deep stewardship for future generations 2. Their work on The Battery Atlanta at Truist Park and Atlantic Station demonstrates how sports-anchored destinations and urban fabric can be bridged through intentional design 2.

Recognition within the industry often follows a commitment to this multifaceted impact. HGOR was named the 2023 Firm of the Year by the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) 13. Recent accolades include the 2025 Honor Award for the Mercer University College Street Transformation and multiple awards for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta master plan, reflecting the firm's influence on institutional and healthcare outcomes 13.

Transformation of Post-Industrial and Urban Legacies

Specialized firms like KOTSIUBA focus on reclaiming spaces from rigid urban legacies, particularly in post-Soviet or industrial contexts where historical design prioritized efficiency over human connection. Based in Ukraine, KOTSIUBA emphasizes heritage-led design and urban resilience, earning the ASLA 2025 Professional Award for Urban Design for their work on UNIT.City 4. This practice highlights the role of landscape architecture in community healing and the restoration of forgotten urban spaces 4.

Regional Ecological Realities and Sustainable Stewardship

Regional firms often distinguish themselves by their response to local ecological conditions. Elysian Landscapes in Los Angeles treats the landscape as the primary medium of the city, focusing on the ecological realities of complex urban environments. Since 2021, Los Angeles has been recognized as a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat, a designation that aligns with Elysian’s commitment to designing landscapes that extend and reconnect native habitats 5.

Sustainability serves as a primary metric for the modern evaluation of landscape firms. Carey Duncan Design, a Rabat-based studio, received the 2025 Luxury Lifestyle Award for Best Sustainable Landscape Architecture for The Park at Casa Green Town in Morocco 20. This project acts as a social and ecological asset, utilizing a master plan that balances urban trails with residential streetscapes to create a central park environment that responds to specific local climates 20.

Private Residences and Immersive Hospitality Design

In the realm of high-end residential and hospitality design, firms like OJB (Office of James Burnett) and ROCHE+ROCHE prioritize the creation of meaningful spaces that challenge conventional boundaries. OJB’s leadership under Jim Burnett, FASLA, has spanned over 30 years, focusing on urban revitalization and sustainable park designs such as those at the Salk Institute and The Alamo 6. Their work emphasizes continued care, collaborating with scientists and horticulturists to ensure long-term landscape health 6.

• Janice Parker Landscape Architects: Known for traditional design enhanced by modern touches, including specialized Corten steel vegetable gardens 9.
• DTLA (David Thorne): Focuses on collaborative residential design and sustainability, with over 35 years of experience in custom landscapes 12.
• Bonin Architects: Specializes in New England luxury landscapes that harmonize architecture with lakefront and mountain environments 8.
• Chengdu Maiwei: Recognized for innovative landscape projects in China, including the 'Born to Shine' project in Chengdu 25.

Standards for Professional Selection and Regulatory Compliance

Selecting a landscape architecture firm involves verifying professional credentials and understanding local regulatory requirements. In jurisdictions like Ontario, Canada, landscape projects often require BCIN-certified experts to ensure compliance with building codes and municipal bylaws 28. Firms such as ITI Permit provide permit-ready designs that address site alteration, grading, and drainage systems, which are essential for avoiding stop-work orders and legal complications 28.

Industry experts suggest that potential clients evaluate firms based on their past project experience with similar site conditions and their ability to provide client references. A professional firm should act as a client advocate throughout the design review process, navigating the complexities of construction and material selection 23. This advocacy ensures that the final result remains true to the original design intent while meeting the functional requirements of the site 17, 18.

Sources

1. SWA Group
2. HGOR
3. RVi Planning
4. KOTSIUBA Landscape Architecture
5. Elysian Landscapes
6. OJB Landscape Architecture
7. TSW Planners and Architects
8. Bonin Architects
9. Architectural Digest (AD PRO)
10. VERT Studio
11. Cohere Design
12. David Thorne Landscape Architect (Land8)
13. HGOR Impact and Awards
14. Shades of Green Landscape Architecture
15. Elevate by Design
16. Houzz (Phoenix Professionals)
17. Evergreen Design Group
18. CLC Landscape Design
19. ROCHE+ROCHE (Architizer)
20. Carey Duncan Design
21. Acre Designs
22. Wisteria & Rose
23. McDugald Steele
24. UAE News 24/7 (Michel Desvigne Paysagiste)
25. Chengdu Maiwei Landscape Architecture Studio (Architizer)
26. Nathan Wright Landscape Design
27. LandCreative | SDK Design Group
28. ITI Permit