A University of Maryland grad earns a professional designation in his home state, strengthening the local business he helped build

Upper Marlboro, MD, June 25, 2026 — Justin Banford grew up in Maryland, studied landscape architecture at the University of Maryland, and has spent his career helping Maryland homeowners turn their backyards into places they never want to leave. Now, Banford is officially a licensed Professional Landscape Architect in the state he calls home.

In 2005, Justin Banford earned second place in his school's "Landscape Olympics," competing against 500+ students from 40+ schools. Almost exactly 20 years later, he became one of fewer than 22,000 people nationwide to hold the title Professional Landscape Architect (PLA). 

As Vice President of LiveWell Outdoors, Banford helps guide projects from planning through construction. His license gives LiveWell’s team a level of landscape architectural expertise that is surprisingly uncommon in the industry.

To earn it, candidates must complete an accredited degree, gain years of hands-on experience, and pass all four sections of the national L.A.R.E. exam, covering everything from site design to grading, drainage, and stormwater management. 

“Maryland is where I grew up, where I studied, and where I’ve built my career,” said Banford. “The outdoor spaces we create at LiveWell are for people and families in the same communities I’ve always called home. That makes this milestone even more meaningful.” 

Banford has been part of LiveWell since its earliest days, helping shape the company’s standard for outdoor spaces that deliver a hard-to-match level of luxury, unique to your taste and lifestyle. His Maryland PLA license is a formal recognition of the technical discipline he’s honed over years of hard work. 

“At LiveWell, beautiful design is only half the story,” Banford said. “The other half is making sure every beautiful design space is built to last.” 

Across Maryland and Northern Virginia, the company designs and builds luxury outdoor living spaces that reflect each homeowner’s taste, lifestyle, and vision. From pools and patios to outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and complete backyard retreats, LiveWell creates outdoor environments that look and feel extraordinary to live in and are built to be enjoyed for years to come.