We are PLANT. We are architects and landscape architects and we make personal and public spaces for people like you.

We’ve been doing this for twenty-eight years. We’ve done a lot of beautiful, weird, and interesting things, and we bring that knowledge to every new project. Including yours.

Research and critical thinking are fundamental to the way we work. We use our love of debate and iteration to create projects with a strong cultural-historical grounding, a sensitivity to the nature of individual sites, and a deep interest in how people live in and experience space.

We call ourselves PLANT because, like a plant, we have a deep-rooted connection to the environment and a strong sense of place. Like the other kind of plant, we also make things; we value process, craft, and construction. Sometimes we like to plant things – like ideas in people’s minds, or unexpectedly delightful moments in a place – and of course beautiful flora in landscapes.

design that listens

We come from different disciplinary backgrounds and we challenge each other to explore design problems from many perspectives. When we begin a project, we research, investigate, experiment, and sometimes debate like crazy. We take no aspect of the design as a given; we question everything, and commit ourselves to pursuing the questions until a hard-won consensus is reached. As a result, our design solutions are strong, flexible, and responsive to the needs of many different types of people.

design that lasts

Though our work is unquestionably contemporary, it delves deeper than simply following the latest trend. We ground our designs in a deep reading of the cultural, physical, and historical context of the place and community, and develop our projects with precision and careful consideration of details to ensure they stand the test of time.

design for public good

We are committed to building communities – one living space, one workplace, one public space at a time. Whether our clients are individuals or large organizations, we find opportunities to fulfil their requirements while also contributing to the public good. We create spaces that inspire cultural discovery, promote intellectual inquiry, value contemplation, and are there for people to enjoy and engage with. We use resources wisely, and value stewardship of our shared environment.

design at any scale

We understand that the small details are just as important as the big vision. The design of a chair can have as much impact on someone’s life as the design of a building or a major urban square. We get excited about how both big and small things are made, and how small details can affect people’s experience in big ways.

Chris Pommer, Lisa Rapoport, and Mary Tremain founded PLANT in 1994. Since then, we have grown to include a team of Architects, Landscape Architects, designers, and support staff. In 2017, Eric Klaver became the studio’s fourth partner.

We are based in Toronto, but we do work across Canada and Internationally.

We are currently hiring:

Landscape Architect / Designer

To join our studio in Downtown Toronto, we are looking for a motivated and dynamic Landscape Architect or Landscape Designer with 3+ years of post-graduate experience who has an excellent knowledge of the world of design. We require an inquisitive and motivated individual with the experience and education to demonstrate superior creativity and insight within the parameters of a project’s requirements, and who possesses strong conceptual and detailed design skills, including construction drawings and contract administration. We like to work with well-read, articulate, engaged individuals who have the ability to organize their thoughts and work, and the ability to speak and write clearly in English.

Who We Are

PLANT is a studio of architects and landscape architects who specialize in the making of personal and public space. We’ve been doing this for twenty-eight years. We’ve done a lot of beautiful, weird, and interesting things, and we bring that knowledge to every new project. Research and critical thinking are fundamental to the way we work. We use our love of debate and iteration to create projects with a strong cultural-historical grounding, a sensitivity to the nature of individual sites, and a deep interest in how people live in and experience space.

We call ourselves PLANT because, like a plant, we have a deep-rooted connection to the environment and a strong sense of place. Like the other kind of plant, we also make things: we value process, craft, and construction. Sometimes we like to plant things – like ideas in people’s minds, or unexpectedly delightful moments in a place – and of course beautiful flora in landscapes.

Our primary areas of specialization include residential and institutional architecture and landscape architecture, adaptive reuse, interiors, urban infrastructure, feasibility studies, and master planning. We also offer a broad range of value-added services that include furniture and lighting design, public facilitation, and integrated graphics.

Responsibilities

You will apply your skill and knowledge in a diverse range of settings to support project goals. You will work closely with all members of the studio including both the landscape and architecture teams and will report directly to a partner. The work will include all aspects of a project from schematic design, design development, construction documents, tender, and construction administration. Responsibilities will include:

• Manage projects from concept through contract administration phases
• Develop and prepare concept and design development materials and refine projects under guidance of a senior leader
• Develop designs and details, based on research and resolution of technical and design issues
• Analyze applicable codes, by-laws and other regulations and technical documents/reports
• Prepare and coordinate designs for permits and other approvals
• Manage and coordinate consultants
• Assist in site visits/ site evaluations and reports, and support the contract administration process
• Manage own work and ensure it meets office standards and project deadlines
• Prepare drawings using Vectorworks, AutoCAD and other modelling software
• Develop strong relationships with clients and internal teams
• Other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Licensed landscape architect or landscape designer with 4+ years post-graduate professional office experience with experience in the following project types: public, institutional, residential, streetscape
• MLA or foreign equivalent
• Project management experience including coordinating, managing, and working on the design of small and medium-scale projects and managing a small internal team
• Strong organizational skills including management of multiple, concurrent projects in various stages
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a studio environment
• Familiar with local codes and authority approval processes
• Experience in project phases from schematic design to construction administration
• Confident and excellent at communicating design ideas
• High level of graphic communication skills including traditional hand-drawing and CAD
• Comfortable working on the Mac platform and proficient in the use of the following software: Vectorworks, AutoCAD, PhotoShop, InDesign, Illustrator, Word, Excel, and Keynote/PowerPoint
• Excellent references
• Legally eligible to work in Canada
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Term: Permanent, full-time.
Salary: Based on experience.
Benefits: Dental care, extended health care, life insurance, paid time off.
Work Environment: Full in-office or hybrid.
Website: www.branchplant.com

How to apply


Please send your resume to jobs@branchplant.com. 
You must include the following when submitting your application:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• References attesting experience
• Link to web portfolio, copy of portfolio or relevant work examples.

We thank all candidates for their interest and time; however, only those who are the most qualified for the role will be contacted.

Plant Architect is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. Our team is built on diversity, equity, and inclusion and we value its members’ backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you require accommodation to participate in our hiring process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to make your needs known in advance.

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As we are a multidisciplinary studio, the more skills you have, the better, both digital and traditional. Especially important are the ability to organize your thoughts and your work, and the ability to speak and write clearly in English. Our studio is primarily interested in bridging architecture and landscape, and engages in architecture, landscape projects, and the threshold in between. Candidates must be eager to explore these areas of research. Most importantly, we like to work with well-read, articulate, engaged individuals who enjoy working in a studio atmosphere.

If you are interested, please send a curriculum vitæ and abbreviated electronic portfolio, showing examples of both professional and personal work. No phone calls please. Please send your information to: jobs@branchplant.com.