Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Steen.
Hi Jeff, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I graduated from Iowa State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree, following a formative summer internship at Raymond Jungles’ Miami studio, Raymond Jungles, Inc. After graduation, I joined the firm full time, where I had the privilege of apprenticing under Raymond’s leadership for eleven years.
In July 2023, I made the difficult decision to step away from the studio in pursuit of greater independence. I had nothing arranged for employment at the time of my departure, only a desire to spread my wings and try something new. That path unfolded organically when I began working alongside Peter Anselmo, Founding Principal of LandFluent. The collaboration offered the freedom to build upon the reputation I had developed in Miami over the past decade while shaping a practice aligned with our shared design values.
Since joining LandFluent, we’ve been fortunate to gain strong momentum in the Miami market, which has allowed us to build a team that shares the passion and commitment to the profession that Peter and I bring to work each day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In hindsight, one of the smartest decisions I made early in my career was choosing to spend as much time as I did working within established design studios. That experience allowed me to observe, and eventually take on responsibility for nearly every aspect of running a design practice. Over the course of more than a decade, I was able to learn within a supportive environment alongside talented colleagues, which gave me the time and perspective to understand what truly makes a firm successful.
Had I been too eager to branch out on my own before I was ready, the path to where LandFluent is today likely would have been far more difficult. Taking that time to learn, grow, and build experience ultimately allowed us to begin this chapter with a strong foundation, and I believe it’s a large part of why we’ve been able to build the momentum we have today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In early 2024, Peter and I began working with a business coach who asked me a question very similar to this during our first meeting. At the time, my response was fairly boilerplate and lacked any real sense of vision. His feedback was direct: if I couldn’t answer that question with clarity and excitement, it would be difficult to build a meaningful brand. His point was simple but powerful, if I don’t know where I wanted to go, why would anyone else want to go there with me? It was a moment that resonated deeply. Having a plan doesn’t mean it can’t evolve over time, but it’s essential to have a direction.
Today, my answer is much clearer. LandFluent is a collective of landscape architects and designers who share an intense passion for our work. We aspire to be known as creative problem solvers, designers who are willing to think outside the box while remaining grounded in reality. We are drawn to projects that are complex, unconventional, ecologically thoughtful, and capable of contributing meaningfully to the cultural context of a place. At our core, we are devoted plant enthusiasts, open communicators, enthusiastic collaborators, and talented designers. We believe the best work emerges through curiosity, dialogue, and a shared commitment to design excellence.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
While there are the familiar hallmarks of any successful practice: clear vision, thoughtful and executable design work, and a reputation for timeliness, what Peter and I are most often commended for is the quality of our communication. Both our clients and our colleagues in the design profession frequently remark on the promptness, clarity, and thoroughness with which we engage throughout a project.
We take great pride in being open, accessible communicators who remain attentive to the needs of those who rely on us. While many aspects of a project inevitably fall beyond our control, what we can control is our level of involvement and the care with which we participate in the process. By remaining present, responsive, and collaborative, we strive to contribute meaningfully to the success of every project we undertake.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.landfluent.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landfluent
Image Credits
(c) Studio PYG
