Viive joined the Vertechs Design studio in 2000. She has over 20 years of experience directing significant master plans, community redevelopment and infrastructure projects, including the Third Crossing in Kingston and several city blocks within Regent Park. Working in a small firm Viive has become skilled in all aspects of landscape architectural practice. Over the years she has formed important relationships with clients including many of the city’s best architectural firms, municipalities, school boards and healthcare institutions, lending to the firm’s diverse portfolio of work.

She has led several Alternative Financial Procurement (AFP) projects on both the Planning Design and Compliance (PDC) and Design Build Finance Maintain (DBFM) teams including Etobicoke General Hospital, ErinoakKids Centres for Treatment and Development and West Park Healthcare Centre.

Viive brings experience in coordination and management of projects from the initial stages of stakeholder consultation to final document preparation and contract administration. Viive is committed to addressing client requirements through the development of thoughtful landscapes that are accessible to all people.

Education

University of Toronto, B.L.A.

Major Projects

Centennial College
ErinoakKids
Etobicoke General Hospital
Murray Street Park
Nipissing Student Union
West Park

Mary Jane Lovering is a founding partner of Vertechs Design Inc., established in 1981. She practised as a physiotherapist with a Diploma in Physiotherapy from Queen’s University prior to pursuing a career in Landscape Architecture. This background and experience, together with studies in Gerontology has led to the Firm’s planning of outdoor environments in the field of health care in Long Term Care and Acute Care Settings, Paediatric Facilities, Assisted Living and Mental Health environments.

She is committed to the creation of meaningful outdoor environments that contribute to the health and well- being of patients, staff and visitors to each facility. Areas of expertise include program development, design guidelines for special populations with a focus on accessibility.

She was instrumental in the directing of research into the relationship between function and outdoor spaces for Long Term Care facilities. Vertechs Design Inc. was the first landscape architectural firm to study this relationship and establish principles of design used as a primary resource for the Firm’s work today.

Education

University of Toronto, B.L.A. Hons.
Queen’s University, Diploma in Physiotherapy

Major Projects

CAMH
ErinoakKids
Holland Bloorview
Ron Joyce
Royal Victoria Hospital
St. Joseph’s West 5th
West Park

Yan joined the Vertechs Design studio in 2005 with a professional background in urban design, planning and architecture with experience gained in both Shanghai and Toronto. Prior to her practice in landscape architecture, she was exposed to a wide range of planning projects at regional and community scales, as well as site-specific projects in China. Her local and international experiences have shaped Yan’s efficient management of complex projects.

Yan’s love of the visual arts and gardening influence her creative, user-friendly solutions.

Education

Tongji University, Shanghai, China,
Bachelor Degree of Urban Planning
Master Degree of Urban Design

Major Projects

ErinoakKids
New Toronto Courthouse
Pivot at Yonge Sheppard Centre
Regent Park Blocks 21 & 27
The Sumach by Chartwell

With over a decade of experience garnered in El Salvador and Canada, Rodrigo brings a unique perspective to the Vertechs Design studio. He has experience working on public and private projects, collaborating on commercial and institutional works from initial stages through to contract administration. With a background in architectural design, his multidisciplinary mindset and diverse skillset bring value to the large scale projects he is involved in. Through his work Rodrigo strives to develop sustainable landscapes that are accessible and user-friendly.

Education

Universidad Albert Einstein,
El Salvador,
Bachelor of Architecture
Ryerson University,
Candidate for Certificate
in Landscape Design

Major Projects

Gordie Howe Bridge Pursuit
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Regent Park Block 27
The Sumach by Chartwell
West Park

Irene holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Toronto. Throughout her education and professional background, Irene has been exposed to a wide range of design projects in Manitoba and Ontario, ranging from urban scale to detailed site design.

In her projects, Irene seeks to enhance social and physical well-being through heightened spatial experience and sustainable design solutions that foster purposeful interactions and relationships between people, culture, and land systems. Prior to joining Vertechs Design, Irene was closely involved in Winnipeg’s design community, organizing and managing a wide range of design programs, competitions, exhibitions, and events.

Education

University of Manitoba, B.Env.D.
University of Toronto, M.L.A.

Major Projects

Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre
Beverley Heights Middle School
Growing Lakeside LTC
Holland Bloorview
Peel Manor Wellness Village
West Park

Kathleen joined our studio as a landscape designer in 2020. Kathleen trained first in the sciences then as a designer. She is passionate about finding design solutions that deepen people’s connections with their surroundings. Kathleen believes in the restorative power of that connection to improve both human and ecological health. Kathleen sees every project as an opportunity to tell a story and is most excited when working on a multidisciplinary team to bring this story to life.

Kathleen graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Queen’s University and earned a Master in Landscape Architecture from the University of Toronto.

Education

Queen’s University, B.Sc.H.
University of Toronto, M.L.A.

Major Projects

Centennial College A-Block
Gichi Kendaasiwin Centre