Collective work and responsibility.

JIMA Studio leverages landscape architecture and urban planning to help various communities envision and build upon their futures.

See Our Projects
A collection of drawing placed on a table

JIMA (jee-mah) Studio is a landscape architectural design and urban planning studio that collaborates with community groups, organizations and builders committed to culturally relevant placemaking and strategic implementation. We centralize participatory design methods to provide full site design and planning services, from idea to implementation.

JIMA stems from the Kwanzaa principle Ujima (ooh-jee-mah), which means “collective work and responsibility.” It is the ethos of this studio to work collaboratively with other changemakers and use design as a vehicle toward accountability in placemaking, placekeeping, and land stewardship.

What we do

Empowering partners to transform communities in forward-thinking ways

Design
We provide high-quality design and implementable solutions that empower our partners, collaborators, and clients to enhance or transform their communities in a collective and forward-thinking way. We offer design services that elevate the needs of those who will be impacted the most, while leveraging both a cultural and environmental sensitivity that is required for longevity, relevance, and resilience.
Engagement
We integrate community engagement and participation in all our design and planning processes as a foundational source for co-creation and development. Ranging from one-on-one interviews to large-scale public engagement forums, we sustain a “Listen first, Listen often” culture that keeps our projects grounded and reflected within the values of the communities we serve.
Research
We contribute to the design profession through critical thought essays and assessments, and toolkit development that reflect on lessons learned from our projects as well as other trends and methods of design and practice. Our goal is to contribute to design literature and the menu of best practices in a way that helps other change makers approach similar projects and challenges with tact.
JIMA Studio logo

Collective work and responsibility.

Explore
Recent Projects
Sweet Auburn Wayfinding
Bryant Branch Library
Live6 Placemaking Design Guidelines
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