Firm

John Ridenour is a registered landscape architect and LEED accredited professional with over fifteen years of professional experience.  John received his Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and his Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture from Ball State University. John has practiced at a wide range of project types and scales throughout his career, with extensive experience in urban landscapes and on-structure conditions.  He has led numerous multi-disciplinary projects and design teams.

John began his career at Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects in Chicago where he managed the design and construction of SandRidge Corporate Campus in Oklahoma City OK, the Nathan Philips Square revitalization in Toronto, Kenan Stadium Masterplan at UNC Chapel Hill, and multiple greenroofs at 900 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago IL. In 2010, John joined Ken Smith Workshop in New York as project manager of the multi-phase East River Waterfront Development, coordinating teams of consultants, city agencies and community groups. 

Since joining Nelson Byrd Woltz in 2013, John helped lead the 6-acre on-structure plaza and streetscapes at Hudson Yards on the west side of Manhattan, led the construction administration of award-winning Naval Cemetery Landscape at the Navy Yard in Brooklyn, and managed the design and construction of numerous projects at a historic Olmsted Bros. estate in near Dalton, Pennsylvania. Current work includes the design implementation of three public parks — Karen Cragnolin Park in Asheville NC, Lakeshore Park, a 185-acre park along the Tennessee River in Knoxville TN, and Beaverdam Reservoir Park in Ashburn VA. John led NBW teams in creating the vision plans for Karen Cragnolin and Lakeshore parks which continue to inform their design and construction.