An association between Graham Young and Johan Barnard was formed in March 1994 to initially carry out two major urban design projects for Johannesburg City Council. It brought together two individuals with complementary backgrounds in landscape architecture, environmental planning and urban design. In November 1994 the association was formalised and today Newtown Landscape Architects is involved with many landscape architecture and environmental planning projects. 

NLA strives for sustainable environments that have cultural, artistic and ecological merit. In our designs we recognise the realities of the contemporary situation as well as the influences that gave uniqueness to place. This approach is evident in the many different projects completed by the firm.