The way we work can be summed up in three words: Curious, Collaborative, and Caring. These are the core values that we bring to our design process and that results in spaces that bring people together, incorporate community input, and reflect a sensitivity to the natural environment.
how we work
Firm Philosophy
STUDIO
States with a df/ office
states we've worked in
Our work strives to connect people to places by designing landscapes that enhance the natural processes of each site. Sustainability is integrated into every aspect of our work. We have developed an innovative scorecard system that measures carbon footprints, water and energy use, biodiversity, and social connectivity. We embrace interdisciplinary collaboration to fully vet and marry our big ideas with thoughtful construction solutions to deliver holistic sustainable design that supports a more resilient and sustainable future.
what we do
revealing place
We are thankful for the continued collaboration with so many talented and thoughtful partners. Since our inception, we’ve worked on over 3,500 projects collaborating with over 400 unique clients both abroad and domestically across 38 states. No matter who we're working for or where we're working, our mission is to create inspiring environments that exceed the unique needs of our clients and stakeholders.
Where we work
cultivating community
Damon Farber Landscape Architects fosters a collaborative, curious, and caring office culture. Our studio emphasizes teamwork, encouraging open conversations and interdisciplinary collaboration. Sustainability and resilience are core values, and our firm is committed to creating equitable and inclusive designs. We prioritize continuous learning, community engagement, and a work environment where diverse perspectives are valued and rewarded.
Who we are
our culture
Collaboration is a cornerstone of who we are. It allows us to tap into the collective knowledge, skills, and perspectives of others to create better designs. By working with team members, clients, and other stakeholders, we gain valuable feedback, insights, and inspiration, helping us refine our ideas and designs. and challenge conventional thinking.
collaborative
curious
Curiosity plays a fundamental role in driving creativity and innovation in our design process. We ask tough questions, explore new ideas, and seek out innovative solutions to design challenges. By constantly seeking to understand and learn, we expand our knowledge, keep up with emerging trends, and ultimately create more engaging, effective, and impactful designs.
caring
Caring is a fundamental attribute of what makes our team unique. We approach our work with empathy and understanding for the people we serve and the impact our designs will have on their lives. We work together as designers, but we are also volunteers and thought leaders, parents and friends, and people who genuinely care, both in and out of the office.
Landscape architectural design
Urban
Design
programming +
Planning
graphic
design +
illustration
Construction
administration
heritage documentation
welcome to
our studio!
Damon Farber is a landscape architecture and planning studio with roots in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our portfolio embodies the breadth of the landscape architecture profession, and we approach design through a process that is deeply collaborative, curious, and caring. Our studio was founded on the idea that the best solutions are created through teamwork. We strive to learn more about the people we work with, the places we work in, and the communities we serve. Landscape architecture can and should make the world a better place, and we strive to meet this ideal in our practice. When it comes to the challenges facing our communities and our planet, we lean in.
"We seek to design landscapes that resonate with their communities and support a more resilient and sustainable future."
3 leed
accredited
professionals
45+
design
awards
over 400 clients
10 licensed
landscape
architects
Established
in 1981
21
employees
projects in
38 states
2 Offices in MInnesota and Wisconsin
our OFFICE Culture
Our studios craft an environment of collective health and well-being for our employees. From offices filled with natural light to open and approachable staff, we strive to create offices where our employees feel comfortable and are supported to excel. Some perks of our studios include:
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Office-provided lunches, made in-house by our employees and including vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary options
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Focus on work-life balance and employee wellbeing
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Flexible remote/in-office scheduling
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Company provided continuing education and volunteering time and stipend
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Open office layout and non-hierarchical seating arrangements
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Travel grant program to encourage employee growth and global exploration
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Annual events including an office cabin retreat, autumn boat cruise, winter holiday party, and more
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Quarterly business lunches to transparently discuss firm performance
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Transit-accessible office locations and in-office bike parking
Learn more about how to play a role in our office here.
Sustainability in practice
Our work strives to connect people to place through designing landscapes that enhance the natural processes of each site. Sustainability is integrated into every aspect of our work. We utilize a rigorous and innovative process fueled by three guiding principles:
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Understand the environmental context
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Promote efficient use of resources
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Support healthy communities and the environment
We have developed an innovative scorecard system that measures landscape performance through analysis of carbon footprints, water and energy use, biodiversity, and social connectivity. We embrace interdisciplinary collaboration to fully vet and marry our big ideas with thoughtful construction solutions to deliver a holistic sustainable design solution that supports a more resilient and sustainable future.
DESIGN THAT WELCOMES
Our design process is rooted in the belief that collaboration with a diverse range of professionals leads to innovative solutions. Inspired by our founder Damon Farber, who valued the strength of combining varied design perspectives, we prioritize open and honest dialogue throughout our work. Today, we recognize that incorporating diverse personal identities and viewpoints enhances the design process. We actively seek to engage individuals from different backgrounds and experiences, understanding that their contributions are key to creating meaningful and successful designs. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion shapes not just our firm’s culture, but also every project we undertake, as we strive to reflect the diverse world we design for.
COMMITED TO A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE FUTURE
Damon Farber is committed to creating a more just and equitable future. We strive to achieve this in the work that we do, but also in our culture and internal practices. To this end, we are proud to announce that we have achieved a Just Label from the International Living Future Institute. The Just program is a voluntary disclosure tool for organizations to elevate internal discussions, policies, and procedures, while serving as a measurement framework for social justice issues. In the process of achieving our Label we have reinforced the actions that help us meet our goals and become inspired to take new action in the areas where we could do better. We recognize that we are not perfect and see the Just organization metrics as a tool for us to continually evaluate and improve who we are.
Find our full Just organization profile here.