ABOUT

THE FIRM

Lashley + Associates, Landscape Architecture and Site Engineering is an award-winning, Ottawa-based firm, with 25 years of experience in providing landscape architecture, site planning and site engineering services in the public and private sector. The knowledge and insight of the firm’s Principal Landscape Architect, David Lashley, is exhibited through by almost 4 decades of practice, diversified projects, numerous clients, and sincere personal enjoyment for both the profession and practice of landscape architecture. To date, David and Lashley + Associates have completed over 900 projects in residential, commercial, institutional, urban design, parks, recreation, industrial, transportation and tourism. Our passion for landscape architecture shines through all of our staff and associates. Evidence of our exemplary design services and award winning projects are demonstrated in our webfolio.

 

THE PRINCIPAL

DAVID LASHLEY BLA, OALA, CSLA
PRINCIPAL AND SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

“I love life; love my wife and all my seven kids; love being a landscape architect and a hockey goalie. What more could I ask from life.”

“I have a broad range of interests that drives everyone in my family wild because I’m always doing something; helping my kids with school, piano practices, and skating, hockey, skiing at Calabogie and Jay Peak, camping, walking in Europe, Christmas, fly fishing in NY, climbing in the Adirondacks, travelling to Newfoundland and to BC to visit family, off-roading my Land Rover, canoeing in Algonquin, watching live football, the odd beer, good wine, great food keep me busy after hours, and working with a terrific staff at our office studio on a wide range of interesting projects keeps me more than busy”.

Growing up on an Ottawa Valley farm, in a small town coupled with extensive travel and camping in Eastern Canada and the United States, generated Dave’s interest in the different natural and cultural landscapes of North America. Dave believes that understanding the intertwined relationships of people and nature is key to the design of various landscapes that address people’s needs while respecting the need to protect natural systems and create a truly sustainable world environment.

As a high school student he thought he would be an architect because he loved to draw and build things, but his love of being in natural settings continued to lead him to look for something else. One day in his guidance office, flipping through university courses, he noticed the term “landscape architecture”. “I had no idea what the profession was, but it seemed to be the right fit”, says Dave. After a couple of years at university and some “real soul searching”, Dave realized that the profession really did fit him.

Dave notes that he was lucky in his early career to work with Provincial Parks in both Alberta and Prince Edward Island developing a clear understanding of human influence on nature and a sustainable design philosophy. His PEI experience allowed him to broaden his knowledge of design to include architecture, engineering, and landscape architecture while he was the Supervisor of Design for Parks and Tourism. “Entering the world of private practice in an urban environment in Charlottetown and then Ottawa proved to be exciting as the range of projects ensured that I would never have a dull day at the office”, says Dave. In November 1986, the decision to start Lashley + Associates was an exciting period for Dave. Despite a number of recession periods and personal challenges over the past quarter century, Dave has enjoyed building this firm into one of Eastern Ontario’s premier LA practices. “Today, the firm is both experienced and youthful with an exciting future in landscape architecture”, says Dave. “Thank you to my family, friends, staff, colleagues and competitors who have helped shape me, and my practice as a landscape architect”.

 

THE STAFF

JIM CLARK BLA, ASLA
SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

James (Jim) Clark has over 40 years experience as a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer in the public and private sector. He brings to the firm his recognized and lauded expertise from his extensive experience working with agencies such as the National Capital Commission and Parks Canada. Jim takes pride in continually pushing the envelope for green practices in landscape architecture.

He is always on the cutting edge of design and enjoys traveling throughout North America to various urban hubs exhibiting excellence in design. Some of his most notable work with Lashely + Associates has included the Millennium Forest Concepts for the National Arboretum at the Central Experimental Farm, Sparks Street Mall Phase 1 Accessibility and Smyth Road Subdivision Design among many others.

 

 


 

 

BILL MUSSELL Dip. Eng Tech, OALA
SENIOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST

Bill Mussell has been practicing landscape design for over 25 years and has been associated with the firm since 1995. His attention to detail and his extensive experience make him a valuable asset to our team while his graphic representations, both manual illustration and computer-generated drawings, are some of the best in the industry.

Bill was raised and grew up in Winchester, Ontario. “I enjoyed drafting in high school”, he recounts, “after college, I was hired as an inexperienced junior draftsperson in the Landscape Architectural field. I like design challenges and problem solving, so it just fit perfectly. I am fortunate that I found a profession that I truly enjoy.”

Bill’s mantra is simple, well thought out design; a less is more approach to achieve timeless design. Bill enjoys home renovations and design and woodworking. He enjoys touring cities and neighbourhoods, noting design, architecture and creative infill housing.

Some of his most notable work with Lashley + Associates has included Smythe Road Subdivision (CLC), Sparks Street Mall Accessibility and Percy Street Housing among many others.

GREG VELIS BLA, ASLA ASSOCIATE
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL INTERN

“It has always fascinated me how the landscape can subconsciously evoke pleasure, security, anticipation, joy, and serenity, all while most are never the wiser.”
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“I have always had a love and a special connection to the outdoors”, says Greg. Growing up in a small city in Western Massachusetts provided Greg the opportunity to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities right in his own back yard. Among his favourites are camping, fishing, hiking, snowboarding, swimming, and biking. In short, he says that he could not imagine living in a climate without four seasons. Greg’s original career choice was a Civil Engineer, because of his love of building things and interest in the way things work, however after he received his Associates degree in Engineering, he realized it lacked the design and creative aspects. He then came across landscape architecture, which he felt tied in his love of the outdoors and the creative design aspects that were once lacking.
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In 2008 he graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture. “My girlfriend brought me to the Ottawa area and I have had the pleasure to work at Lashley + Associates for the past 2 years, where I have been given the opportunity to work on a broad spectrum of projects”.

 

 

ERIN PIETERSMA BLA, OALA ASSOCIATE
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL INTERN

“Landscape architecture is fundamentally about meeting the needs of people and the natural environment by mediating between ecology and design.”

Erin was born and raised on a dairy farm in southeastern Ontario. She notes with pride that her strong agrarian roots have provided her with fundamental life skills and values that will continue to carry her throughout her life. “I love gardening, growing my own vegetables and cooking for family and friends. I like to hike, bike, travel, and I enjoy various artistic endeavors from environmental sculpture to mixed media.Erin is passionate about ecological restoration, new urbanism, and organic agriculture.

Erin was immediately attracted to this career path because of what she describes as a unique blend of art and science; she felt that it was a perfect fit to her personality. Erin graduated from the University of Guelph Landscape Architecture program in 2008. Before joining Lashley + Associates, she worked for Parks Canada at St. Lawrence Islands National Park where she had the unique opportunity to work on the cultural and natural rehabilitation of Mallorytown Landing. Since joining Lashley + Associates, she has had the opportunity to work on various projects including Sparks Street Mall Redevelopment Concepts, Perth Wilson Street Gateway Design and Skyline Complex, Headquarters for Agriculture Canada and CFIA. Erin has been an associate member of the OALA since 2008.

 

DANIELLE BUSHORE BLA, LAT, OALA ASSOCIATE
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL INTERN

“Design for the human environment, one that is ephemeral and forever changing, requires creativity and innovation for every problem, for every stage of a process, and for every client. That’s why I chose this profession.”

Danielle is from Edmonton, Alberta and grew up with a keen interest and passion for art and design. When deciding which career would be a good fit, she thought that her creativity and ever-changing interests would be a good match for something that included a bit of both. She chose landscape architecture for its diversity, challenging problems, sustainable approaches, and adaptable palette of plants and geographic places. Danielle first completed a diploma in Landscape Architectural Technology at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, where she gained technical knowledge and graphic abilities. She then continued her studies at the University of Guelph, to further her design knowledge and theoretical skills. In her free time, Danielle dabbles in graphic art and is very passionate about presentation graphics, aesthetics, planning, urban design, and place-making.

 

 

 

RICHARD DESILETS Dip. Eng Tech, AATO ASSOCIATE
ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST

“A painting is art to look at, a sculpture is art you can walk around, and architecture is art you can walk through”

Richard grew up in Ottawa, Ontario. Inspired by architecture at a young age, he participated in the construction of several cottages. He worked at Lashley and Associates as a Co-op student through a High school program; he then studied at La Cité Collégiale to become an Architectural Technologist. Once he completed his second year of college, he returned to work for Lashley and Associates while completing his studies. His background in architecture helps in the development of complex details and structural elements.

 

ACCOUNTS

TIMOTHY RITTENBERG BA, CMA
OFFICE ACCOUNTANT

Tim has been with the firm for 2 years and handles all of the firm’s accounting matters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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