Delia Houston: Meet our Experts Series
Creating Lasting Impact through Collaborative Design
As part of this month’s #WomenWhoInspire series, we ask Delia Houston about her career path—what led her to a career at OHM Advisors and what drives her work today.
Quick Facts
- Title: Urban Planner
- Years in the Industry: 2
Working together to advance communities and the environment
As a landscape architecture student at The Ohio State University, Delia Houston conducted research and design work on a corridor project in Columbus’ South Side. That experience helped Delia realize she wanted to think bigger picture, aligning landscape architecture with planning while creating actionable plans for municipalities. She found that opportunity at OHM Advisors, where planners, landscape architects, and architects work with engineering, surveying, and construction professionals to advance communities and the environment.
Delia helps OHM Advisors’ clients and their stakeholders envision the future of their cities and towns. Whether using her geographic information skills to help residents understand their upcoming park, infrastructure, and placemaking projects or engaging a community in a downtown plan for a historic village, Delia’s work helps position Ohio communities for resilient futures.
What drew you to the landscape architecture and planning field and, subsequently, to OHM Advisors?
I spent my formative years in the areas surrounding downtown Columbus, which made me aware of how a thoughtful approach to the built environment shapes daily life and fosters vibrant, functional communities. My early college years in Colorado only furthered my appreciation for buildings that respond to their context and natural environments or spur emotion and connection. Those firsthand experiences sparked my interest in joining OHM Advisors. OHM’s projects enhance the places people call home while creating a lasting positive impact, and I wanted to be part of that.
Tell us about an OHM Advisors project you’ve worked on and why it’s meaningful to you.
The first project I worked on at OHM revitalized and spurred economic development for the Village of Ripley, a historic area with deep ties to the Underground Railroad. The grant-funded project connects the village to its Ohio Riverfront through a new dock, “Freedom Landing,” a pedestrian promenade, and various open spaces. Being part of this project was incredibly meaningful because of the collaborative, multi-disciplinary effort to connect the community to its rich history while positively impacting its future.
Being part of this project was incredibly meaningful because of the collaborative, multi-disciplinary effort to connect the community to its rich history while positively impacting its future.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is engaging directly with residents and business owners to make sure their voices are heard. By listening to their stories, understanding their needs, and learning their aspirations, we can create impactful changes that reflect the uniqueness of each community.
What do you value most about working at OHM Advisors?
I appreciate the collaborative culture at OHM Advisors. Over the last few years, my exposure to a diverse range of disciplines has been a continuous source of daily inspiration and growth. I’ve expanded my skillset by working alongside experts like Josh Helms, who helped me refine my drawing and design skills; Rick Fay, who provided insight into development, parking design, and calculations; Aaron Domini, who shares expertise in planning and engagement; and Jon Grimm, who expanded my knowledge in road design. This culture of knowledge-sharing, combined with the opportunity to connect with communities and help shape their futures, makes my work at OHM Advisors truly meaningful.
Over the last few years, my exposure to a diverse range of disciplines has been a continuous source of daily inspiration and growth.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
People in the office often joke that work is my life—but there’s a lot of truth to that. I love what I do and find myself thinking about projects often, knowing they have the potential to shape someone’s daily life and perception of their environment. Outside of work, my time is largely dedicated to keeping up with my dogs. They are 6, 5, and 4 years old, and they come in extra-large, large, and medium sizes, making for an entertaining (and sometimes chaotic!) household.
