He’s a lover of ice cream and boats, an entrepreneur and environmentalist, an award-winning landscape architect and a Georgia Bulldawg. We recently had the opportunity to talk to Jon Benson, president and founder of jB+a, a landscape architecture firm that provides professional planning and design services (and a longtime tenant at Atlanta Galleria). Like so many of the people who work here every day, Jon has a great story to tell, and we enjoyed our visit with him.
Tell me about jB+a.
jB+a was established in 1999 as a licensed corporation in the state of Georgia. Our portfolio consists of work on a wide range of projects including large international developments, community visioning and assisting our clients in seeking alternative funding for unique programs. jB+a began in the basement of my home with an original focus on planning and design for multifamily developments in the metro Atlanta area. However, shifts in the market and the addition of new staff presented the opportunity to expand and diversify into a wide range of other public and private development markets. We now have a staff of 13 highly qualified individuals and two offices, Atlanta and Savannah.
How long have you been at Atlanta Galleria?
We moved into the 700 building in 2004 because we like the convenience and easy access to Interstates, connecting roads and lunch places. Our work is mostly in Georgia so meeting with our clients requires us to have good access to roads and highways; Atlanta Galleria offers this better than other locations.
What is you favorite area restaurant?
Two of my favorite area restaurants are Cinco Mexican Cantina, directly across Akers Mill, and Taverna Fiorentina, a small Italian kitchen at Cobb Parkway and Paces Mill Road. Our company favorites will always be La Paz and Garrisons since our original office was adjacent to both in Vinings.
What is jB+a known for?
jB+a has received several project-based awards, was recognized as a top small business by the Cobb Chamber and has been listed as one of the best places to work in Atlanta by Atlanta Business Chronicle. We have worked also on many LEED projects and are committed to sustainable practices. One of our most notable projects is Suwanee Town Center in Gwinnett.
What’s notable about Suwanee Town Center?
We designed the Suwanee Town Center in conjunction with engineers and planners, developing a community-based urban space. Suwanee Town Center has changed the community tremendously. As part of the Suwanee LCI planning process, this 10-acre park is the centerpiece for new development of office, retail, residential and municipal facilities. The open-space park includes a signature amphitheater for festivals and civic gatherings and is the site of the LEED certified City Hall building.
Tell me about yourself.
I am a Registered Landscape Architect and earned an MLA in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia. My interest in landscape architecture was sparked by a love of gardening. My passion for this type of work brings ultimate fulfillment when I can observe people using the spaces I designed in innovative and unexpected ways, as well as how they were originally intended to be used. In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, boating and traveling the world. I also have a love of ice cream, especially Ben & Jerry’s Everything But The…
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