About — Majdic Landscape Architects | H. John Majdic III, PLA

Design
Philosophy

Landscape is the interface between the built world and the natural one — which makes it a discipline uniquely positioned to reconcile the two.

Ecologically minded design isn't a compromise on good design; it is good design. Trucking in stone from hundreds of miles away isn't just wasteful — it severs a place from its own context. Native plants aren't only a tool for ecological repair; they're how a built landscape comes to feel like it belongs. And green stormwater infrastructure — rain gardens, bioswales — isn't just watershed protection; it's the most practical answer there is to erosion, flooding, and the swampy low spot no one knew what to do with. Used well, these aren't the flourishes of an eco-warrior — they're simply the most appropriate materials, plants, and techniques for getting the most out of a site.

A landscape is also an interface between people and nature. Most of us move through daily life disconnected from the systems that sustain us, and so we never learn to read them. A garden that visibly works — that reveals its hand in the water cycle, that teems with the flora and fauna of its region — quietly rebuilds that understanding. People protect what they love, and they come to love what they finally understand.

Bio

H. John Majdic III

Licensed Landscape Architect, PLA

I'm H. John Majdic III — Majdic is pronounced "my-ditch." I grew up in a small town in the mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, playing in the streams and woods around my childhood home. That's where I first developed the appreciation — and the understanding — of how much nature matters, long before I had the vocabulary to call it a career.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Temple University and am a licensed landscape architect. Throughout high school and college I worked in construction and landscape installation, which grounded me early in how things actually get built — a habit of designing buildable ideas rather than throwing out unrealistic ones. From there I joined a design-build firm in Delaware County specializing in ecological landscaping, where I learned to be a well-rounded designer: to diagnose a client's real needs, design a practical response, and see it through installation. I went on to spend several years at a renowned landscape designer's office in the Brandywine Valley, working on large-scale residential and commercial projects.

Alongside practice, I teach in Longwood Gardens' design certificate program and lecture at the University of Pennsylvania's Morris Arboretum, along with talks at municipal buildings, award programs, and libraries for community groups.

I recently relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, though I've been designing in the Carolinas for some time and know what works in the region. I split my time between Philadelphia, Raleigh, and Wilmington — which lets the firm serve both the Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast. Across residential, municipal, and commercial work, the goal never changes: sound, practical, ecologically grounded design.

What
We Do

From a single conversation to a multi-year construction process — services scaled to where you are in your project.

Design Consultation

A focused, single-session deep-dive into your site and goals. Ideal for property owners who want expert eyes before committing to a full design process. You walk away with a clear direction and actionable next steps.

DIY Garden Design + Plant Procurement

A complete planting design with a curated plant list — sourced from regional native nurseries and matched to your specific site conditions. Built for hands-on owners who want a thoughtful plan they can execute themselves.

Full Property Design

Comprehensive landscape architectural services from site analysis through construction documents. Grading, drainage, planting, hardscape, and lighting — integrated into a cohesive design that performs ecologically and reads beautifully.

Construction Administration

On-site oversight during construction to ensure design intent is faithfully executed. Includes contractor coordination, field adjustments, and material review — the phase where design quality is won or lost.

Maintenance Facilitation

Connection to vetted regional maintenance contractors plus seasonal guidance documents tailored to your specific planting palette. Because a resilient landscape still needs the right kind of stewardship.

Start Here

Book
a Call

Every project starts with a conversation. Send the form along and I'll get back to you within 48 hours to set up a call — we'll talk through your site, your goals, and where you'd like to take them.

Philadelphia, PA · Wilmington, NC · Raleigh, NC
(570) 899-2163
design@majdicLA.com