PEOPLE

JAMES MUNDEN

PARTNER, PLA

James Munden is a Partner at MFLA with 20+ years of experience in landscape architecture, urban design, and community development. He received his BA (Honors) degree and postgraduate diploma in landscape architecture from the University of Central England in Birmingham, U.K. James is a licensed landscape architect in the state of California.

Since 2010, James has been collaborating with Marta Fry on high profile and challenging projects in the Bay Area, including Brickyard Cove East Shore State Park, Emeryville Center of Community Life, 181 Fremont Poetry Garden (POPOS), Multi-family residential homes in Hayes Valley, Santa Clara Family Justice Center in San Jose, and Silver Oak Winery in Alexander Valley.

James’s career began in the U.K. working three years on high profile research & development projects that sparked his passion for innovative and sustainable design; before moving to London where he received his license as a landscape architect. He continued working as a project manager for five years at a multi-disciplinary firm managing the design and construction phase of multiple public space projects in London including Greenwich Peninsula’s Parkside District and New Street Square in London’s financial district.

Being a lead in award winning projects, James expresses an importance in identifying the diverse relationships people have with their environment. Acknowledging previous land use, physically and culturally, James incorporates innovation into high quality designs that are artistic, relevant, and sustainable.

James displays an enthusiasm for community participation by creatively collaborating on project ideas with community users. He is co-founder of WalkStop, a San Francisco based group focused on way-finding and encouraging the use of walking while strengthening the livelihood of neighborhoods through successful design and storytelling.

Outside the studio, James is getting his hands dirty in his own garden in Sonoma County.