Don Vaughan
- Years –Present
- Landscape Architect
- WCML Feature Masters of West Coast Modernism – 2018.10.04
While I was in High School I became familiar with the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. So when I was ready for College I went to U of O and enrolled in Architecture.
Although I received strong support from the Faculty. I did not find the program stimulating. When an interruption in my studies occurred and an opportunity to go to work for a large architectural firm in Melbourne, I took it, and while there I had the opportunity to become involved in the site planning of some of the projects. I now had a new interest. Planning and landscape architecture seemed to be what I was meant to be doing. I came back to U of O and finished the Landscape Architecture Program.
Here in Vancouver, John Lantizius & Associates was looking for an individual to work with Arthur on Simon Fraser University. I took the job. Working with Arthur I better understood the importance of a concept and role of landscape in creating place.
After Simon Fraser, I went on to take on the role of Landscape Architect for U of Vic’s new campus at Gordon Head. The Campus Plan had been established and the first two building had been built. Here, I began to deal with our West Coast landscape in both the natural forest and the traditional campus open space.
With the urban landscape I referenced our North Shore forest and streams. In the natural, residential projects where the opportunity was there I worked maintaining the existing forest and native plants fitting in the architecture with the least disturbance. The most satisfactory were two projects with Bob Hassell.