Jason Pfeifer - Landscape Architect

After graduation, what was the first position you had? How did that shape where you are now as a Landscape Architect?

The first design role I had (in the built environment) was as a Designer / Technologist with Azurean Architecture in Vancouver. Starting from architecture and gaining experience in another discipline was great to learn the standards of another discipline. Doing so has provided a better ability to speak the language of other disicplines and to be a better advocate for improved integration and outcomes on design projects.

What is something that surprised you at the start of your career? or What is something that surprises you about being a Landscape Architect?

To be blunt: my first industry exposure to landscape architecture was at a firm whose scope was largely limited to planting parking lots and land development. Coming from a creative design school, It was a rude awakening compared to the values I wanted to pursue. My first impression pushed me to pursue architecture, despite leanings toward landscape architecture in university.

With more experience and exposure I was surprised to see the diversity, range and scale of impact that landscape architecture can have in urban design for cities, communities, and people's quality of life. In many ways we are invisible to the general public, and responsible for advocating, communicating, and helping visualize possibilities. This often involves building a case for our work often as the project is already underway.

What are you passionate about as a Landscape Architect?

As a landscape architect I am passionate about urban design, public space and the public realm, and advocating for increased quality, spatial equity, and resilience in cities and places.

Tell us about some of the exciting projects you have been a part of.

I've felt very fortunate to contribute to a lot of city and community scale improvements on a number of urban renewal projects, concentrated in Edmonton. These include streetscape redevelopment projects such as Jasper Avenue New Vision and the 109 Street Corridor, and many neighbourhood renewal projects including Strathcona, Garneau, Pleasantview, Boyle Street & McCauley, and Wîhkwêntôwin (Oliver). These project have included improvements to streetscapes, parks and public spaces, the addition of bike lanes, pedestrian and accessibility improvements, and low impact development to increase resiliency and improve biodiversity. Getting involved in writing and editing for publications, and design advocacy has also been rewarding.

What advice would you give a new Landscape Architect?

Understand why you chose landscape architecture and keep your passion for it as you develop your experience. Keep learning and developing your expertise, and don't stay in your box. Don't be afraid to be curious: question and learn the rationale and technical details other professions rely on. This will help you learn what others do, how they think, question their assumptions, and equip you with tools to pitch unique approaches that are better coordinated and integrated for the benefit of everyone.

What are your future goals?

To build a small, local, service-oriented boutique design agency with strong creative and sustainable values, that is collaborative and enjoyable to work at. To do great work for great clients for the benefit of people and ecology.