Donohoe Living Landscapes builds gardens that tap into elemental emotions.

Ryan Donohoe believes landscape design can articulate something profound about people, and connect us to the living moment.

These human stories are at the nucleus of Donohoe’s approach to every project. Through a collaborative discovery of personal details – from childhood dreams to favourite artists – Donohoe unfolds a process that leads to more meaningful landscapes.

Along with our passionate team of professionals, Donohoe is fiercely committed to elevating design, in gardens that are both regionally rooted and globally resonant. A clear West Coast ethos – a fresh natural aesthetic, and a progressive simplicity – certainly informs our work. At the same time, Ryan’s training, at London’s prestigious Inchbald School of Design, ensures that every Donohoe project is measured against emerging international movements in landscape design.

Jessica Oakes received her Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture (MLA) at the University of Edinburgh— one of Britain’s most distinguished landscape architecture programs.

Oakes brings a host of international influences to her work, synthesizing wide-ranging traditions into her own unique landscape vernacular. Since her graduation in 2009, she has been honing her skills in the field and has achieved a profound understanding of the planning and applications process of landscape architecture through working directly with municipalities and communities.

As a partner at Donohoe Living Landscapes, Oakes is a key decision maker, and manages client relationships. She sees projects from construction to completion through effective management of contractors and consultants. She is grateful to take part in a continuous creative process that generates spaces for communities and families to come together.

Blair has a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from University College London’s, Bartlett School of Architecture and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies from the University of Toronto. She has also completed the Royal Horticultural Society’s Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development.

Blair was born and raised in Vancouver and developed a deep interest in the city’s intimate connection to nature. After moving to London, where the urban landscapes of various scales have developed over centuries, she became fascinated with how small, intentional design decisions can create lasting pride in spaces and places.

In her professional years, Blair has contributed to a range of projects, including the design and implementation of park restorations, public realm strategies, and intricate high-end residential work. She enjoys working in the construction stages of projects, where she can apply her attention-to-detail and enthusiasm for field work.

Brendan is an interdisciplinary designer whose interests span the fields of landscape, architecture, and geography. He works with qualitative and quantitative methods to engage with sites and subjects across multiple scales, from the individual organism to ecological networks. At Donohoe he practices the art and science of planting design, seeking to elicit enchanting and tranquil compositions through careful consideration for context and environmental conditions.

Born and raised in Vancouver, his upbringing exposed him to diverse landscapes and cultures across Canada and throughout the world. He is a graduate of University of British Columbia’s dual degree Master of Architecture (MArch) and Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program, and subsequently received a Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture (MASA). He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Geography and Geographic Information Systems from McGill University. He has lived, studied, and worked in Vancouver, Montréal, Melbourne, Zürich, and Rotterdam.

Carson has a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mount Allison University, Majoring in Sculpture and Painting.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, he moved to Vancouver in 2014 to explore the various landscapes the city has to offer to expand his knowledge in his fields.

Carson’s sculptural background and desire for material exploration allows him to conceptualize and execute his designs at a sophisticated level. His prior work experience has built upon an array of complex projects locally, as well as in Québec and California. These noteworthy projects have created a strong foundation to expedite his overall project efficiency and problem solving.

Originally from the UK, Chloé moved to Ontario where she was raised in a small town. This is where she spent all of her free time outside enjoying nature, sparking her never-ending passion for the outdoors and the environment. Chloé received a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) from the University of Guelph in 2020, merging her love for design and the environment. Shortly following graduation, Chloé made the move to B.C. to experience the stunning western landscapes.

Chloé’s love for the outdoors drives her enthusiasm for naturalistic design, creating spaces where the viewer can be immersed in the natural environment with as little environmental impact as possible. In the studio, she specializes in intricate details and horticulture designs. On her days away from the studio, her active lifestyle takes her into the mountains for photography, hiking, climbing, or snowboarding.

As a lifelong BC resident, and the son of a financial-planner-turned-organic-farmer, Jacob grew up with a head for numbers – and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Donohoe provides the ideal environment for Jacob to blend this passion for organizational efficiency with Jacob’s profound love of design and green growing things. A true renaissance man, Jacob also serves on the Board of the Vancouver Book and Magazine Fair Society, a not-for-profit organization that develops and produces the annual “Word Vancouver” literary festival.

Born in Slavonski Brod, Croatia, Josip moved to Zagreb to pursue music. Following his music diploma that focused on guitar, he began his university studies in Landscape Architecture at the University of Zagreb. Concurrently to his studies, he contributed to projects at the Croatian Urbanistic Institute, specializing in landscape and urban planning.

Upon attaining his Master of Landscape Architecture, he relocated to Berlin. There, he worked as a Landscape Architect and more recently as a team lead for a progressive firm that focused on the hospitality and residential landscapes sectors. In 2023, he ventured to Vancouver and embraced a role at Donohoe.

His passion lies in striking a balance between the built and natural environments, envisioning a world where both thrive. Through his work, he aims to contribute to a more sustainable and interconnected world.

After years of sitting in on design meetings and offering unsolicited opinions, Violet has developed a highly refined approach to landscape architecture.

She is particularly passionate about flowering groundcovers within bite range, believes every garden bed benefits from a little extra aeration, and remains a strong advocate for frequent irrigation testing.

As Donohoe's official Greeter, Violet welcomes clients, couriers, and anyone carrying snacks. While her typing speed is disappointing and her filing system nonexistent, her commitment to greeting guests and supervising afternoon naps is second to none.