Business Details
27 Years
experience
Award-Winning Landscape Architecture in Vancouver
Founded in 1999, van der Zalm + associates has established itself as a leader in landscape architecture, civil engineering, and urban forestry. Our integrated team approaches green infrastructure and park development with a focus on ecological design and community engagement. With two decades of experience, we have completed over 200 park developments and served clients across Canada, the United States, and Asia. Our commitment to innovative design is matched by our deep understanding of construction processes, ensuring complex projects are realized successfully. Headquartered in Fort Langley, British Columbia, we maintain a second office in Vancouver to better serve urban clients while fostering local relationships.Our work has earned national awards, reflecting our dedication to creating spaces that enhance public life and environmental sustainability. We remain actively involved in the skateboarding community, a passion that has shaped our approach to dynamic public spaces. Through strategic growth and a focus on sustainability, we continue to deliver impactful designs that balance creativity with practicality.
Services
Landscape Architecture
Civil Engineering
Urban Forestry
Park Development
Green Infrastructure
Sports Field Design
Tree Management
Stormwater Management
Community Engagement
Urban Design
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We integrate landscape architecture, civil engineering, and urban forestry for holistic project solutions.
- Our team has 20+ years of experience in public and private sector project development.
- We maintain local relationships while applying insights from international projects in 15+ countries.
- Our staff includes certified arborists and specialists in green infrastructure implementation.
- We pioneered skatepark design standards adopted by municipalities across North America.
Services
Landscape Architecture
Our landscape architecture practice creates functional, aesthetically pleasing public and private spaces. We specialize in park development, urban plazas, and mixed-use communities, balancing ecological needs with human activity. With over 200 completed parks, our designs foster community engagement while maintaining environmental integrity through sustainable material selection and native plant integration.
Civil Engineering
As British Columbia's first landscape-led civil engineering firm, we prioritize design-sensitive infrastructure solutions. Our services include stormwater management systems, site grading, and utility coordination that complement surrounding landscapes. This integrated approach enables innovative green infrastructure implementation, such as bio-swales and permeable paving systems that address both functional and aesthetic requirements.
Urban Forestry
Our certified arborists provide comprehensive urban forestry services, including tree inventories, risk assessments, and protection plans. We develop strategies for preserving existing vegetation during construction while planning for long-term canopy sustainability. Our expertise ensures compliance with municipal regulations while maintaining ecological continuity in developed landscapes.
Park Development
Specializing in park creation from concept to completion, we handle everything from community consultation to construction oversight. Our portfolio includes sports fields, playgrounds, and civic plazas designed for diverse user groups. We navigate complex approval processes while maintaining design integrity, ensuring each park becomes a lasting community asset through durable materials and inclusive design principles.
Green Infrastructure
We implement nature-based solutions for stormwater management and climate resilience. Services include designing bioswales, rain gardens, and permeable pavement systems that reduce urban runoff. Our approach integrates these functional elements seamlessly into landscapes while meeting regulatory requirements. We also develop long-term maintenance plans to ensure system effectiveness throughout project lifecycles.
People
Mark van der Zalm
Principal Landscape Architect
Founder of van der Zalm + associates in 1999, Mark pioneered skatepark design standards adopted province-wide. With a Utah State University education and 20+ years of experience, he leads large-scale urban projects while maintaining active involvement in community design initiatives.
David Jerke
Principal Landscape Architect
Promoted to principal in 2018, David leads the Vancouver office with 15 years of experience in public park design. He specializes in creating multi-functional civic spaces that balance recreational needs with environmental stewardship, overseeing projects from concept through construction administration.
Glyn Romaine
Lead Certified Arborist
With 12 years in urban forestry, Glyn develops tree management plans and conducts risk assessments for development sites. He ensures compliance with municipal standards while creating strategies for preserving heritage trees and establishing new canopy cover in urban environments.
Taylor Webber
Project Manager - Civil Engineer
Taylor coordinates civil engineering components for complex developments, specializing in stormwater management systems. With 8 years at the firm, they ensure technical requirements align with landscape architecture goals, maintaining design continuity from planning through construction phases.
Erin Bailey
Marketing Coordinator
Managing the firm's communications since 2016, Erin coordinates project documentation and client outreach. She ensures consistent messaging across all platforms while supporting business development initiatives and maintaining the company's professional profile in design communities.
Questions
What geographic areas do you serve?
We work throughout British Columbia's Lower Mainland, across Canadian provinces, in the northwestern United States, and on select international projects.
What makes your firm different from other landscape architects?
We uniquely combine landscape architecture, civil engineering, and urban forestry under one roof, ensuring integrated solutions that address both design and technical requirements simultaneously.
How do you handle complex public projects?
Our experience navigating municipal approvals includes community consultation, stakeholder coordination, and regulatory compliance strategies to successfully deliver large-scale public infrastructure.
Do you work on both public and private projects?
We maintain a balanced portfolio with 60% public work and 40% private commissions, including parks, residential developments, institutional campuses, and commercial sites.
How do you incorporate sustainability into designs?
We prioritize native plant materials, permeable surfaces, and stormwater management systems while maximizing existing site features to create environmentally responsible solutions.
What project sizes do you handle?
Our experience ranges from small pocket parks to multi-hectare master plans, with project values spanning $50,000 to $20 million across residential, institutional, and municipal sectors.
