In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with Dr. Diane Jones Allen, Principal Landscape Architect with Design Jones LLC and Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Jones Allen's remarkable career bridges academia and practice, community engagement and environmental design, revealing how landscape architecture can be a powerful tool for storytelling, social justice, and ecological restoration.

Dr. Jones Allen traces her journey into landscape architecture back to her urban upbringing and family roots in farming, influences that continue to shape her community-centered approach to design. From urban farming initiatives to significant memorial projects like the Fred Rouse Memorial, her work demonstrates how thoughtful design can honor history, transform public spaces, and meet the real needs of the communities they serve.

Throughout the conversation, Diane and Alyssa explore the evolving nature of landscapes and why adaptive design approaches are essential in addressing modern environmental challenges. Dr. Jones Allen shares insights from her research on historical landscapes, particularly maroon communities, and how lessons from historical resilience can inform coastal restoration and climate action today. She emphasizes the critical importance of integrating equity and justice into every aspect of landscape design and environmental planning.

Whether you're a designer, builder, or entrepreneur working in the built environment, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the power of community-driven projects, the intersection of research and practice, and how embracing fear and learning from mistakes fuels creative growth. Dr. Jones Allen's approach to balancing academic research with hands-on practice provides a model for professionals seeking to make a meaningful, lasting impact through their work.

In this episode:

00:01 Introduction to Diane Jones Allen

00:58 Diane's Journey into Landscape Architecture

03:42 Community Engagement and Urban Design

08:07 Professional Experiences and Projects

14:42 Balancing Academia and Practice

16:22 Current Projects and Memorials

31:34 Research on Historical Landscapes

39:52 Future Vision and Advice

If you're passionate about creating designs that honor community, address environmental challenges, and promote equity, this conversation will inspire you to approach your work with renewed purpose and vision. Tune in now and discover how landscape architecture can be a force for positive change. Don't forget to subscribe for more conversations with visionary designers, builders, and makers shaping the future.

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You can connect with Diane at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-jones-allen-58122b27

https://www.designjonesllc.com/diane-jones-allen