EKISTICS is a multi-disciplinary design and consulting studio, specializing in sustainable planning, architecture, landscape architecture and land development.
The word ‘EKISTICS’ derives from the Greek word oikos meaning ‘home’ and is defined as, “the science of understanding and making human communities.” This idea is deeply rooted in everything we do, no matter how sophisticated or complex their requirements.
Our core values define our brand, shape our culture, and drive our business. They also remind us of what’s important and keep us on the right path as we grow.
We stake our personal and professional reputations on the excellence of our work.
We are a diverse and skilled group of innovative individuals unified by a clear common purpose. Our studio environment fosters collaboration and creativity.
We believe that play and enjoyment at work are vital to our creativity, innovation, and overall health and success as a team.
We feed off and grow from each other’s energy, ideas, inspiration, and enthusiasm. We recognize, support, and celebrate each other’s achievements. We listen, mentor, and motivate.
We enjoy the process of discovery and exploration and are unafraid to step outside of our comfort zone.
We embrace change and see it as an opportunity to grow and innovate. By staying flexible and open-minded, we can navigate challenges and seize new opportunities, ensuring we remain resilient and forward-thinking in all that we do.
Paul Rosenau founded EKISTICS Town Planning in 1992, in Vancouver, Canada. He was later joined by principals, Ron Baerg and Leah Yan, expanding the company’s depth and growing its ability to service both local and international markets. In 2006 Mark Blackwood joined the team to expand our architectural services and was later joined by Ryan Wionzek, both principals of EKISTICS Architecture.
Our studio is currently supported by over thirty highly skilled design professionals with expertise in planning, architecture, urban design, resort planning, stakeholder consultation, graphic design, 3D modelling, landscape architecture and integrated golf design.
Paul is the principal owner and founder of EKISTICS. He brings an in depth knowledge of land development, planning and urban design to EKISTICS’ projects, allowing the firm to engage early and significantly in a variety of large-scale work. As President, he leads the firm’s three offices in Vancouver, Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh.
Paul has an intuitive design sensibility, and has gained an international reputation for innovative, site sensitive and ecologically sustainable design in the field of urban design, site planning and resort architecture. Through his team at EKISTICS, he has undertaken the design of over 500 urban planning, residential and resort community projects in Canada, the Caribbean and Asia.
Holding undergraduate degrees in Urban Geography and Landscape Architecture and a master’s degree in Urban Design, Paul moved to the forefront of urban planning in Canada in the 1990’s with a vision of ‘humanizing the suburbs’. Through EKISTICS, he spearheaded a rethinking of standard land development models and their underlying assumptions and was able to achieve the successful approval and construction of some of Canada’s largest ‘new urbanism’ communities.
A published writer and adjunct professor, Paul lectures internationally on the subject of new urbanism, site planning, golf course community design, and sustainable urban design. He has received numerous awards including the PIBC Award of Merit for Outstanding Accomplishments in the Field of Planning, the Dr. John Wesley Neill Medal in Landscape Architecture and the University of British Columbia’s Outstanding Young Alumnus award for outstanding achievements in urban design and planning.
Paul was also named one of Business in Vancouver’s 40 Under 40 award recipients for Outstanding Achievements in Business. Paul continues to reform contemporary design and planning theory based on the need to re-establish a renewed ‘sense of place’ and build ‘complete sustainable communities’ that are unique and endearing.
Mark is a Principal at EKISTICS Architecture Inc. and a licensed Member of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) and the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) , He holds degrees from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) and the University of British Columbia.
Mark manages the firm’s business development and architectural projects in British Columbia and Alberta. For the past 20 years he has worked with a team of talented architects, building technologists, and designers at EKISTICS and many notable development companies across BC.
Mark believes in a collaborative approach, working alongside clients, municipalities and builders throughout the design, approvals and construction process. His project experience ranges from large scale mixed-use master planned communities, complex institutional projects and boutique townhome developments.
Ron is a principal at EKISTICS Architecture, leading a creative team of architects and designers participating in a wide range of architectural, urban design and planning projects both locally and internationally. With a primary focus on architecture, Ron integrates the disciplines of urban design, planning, landscape architecture and architecture into EKISTICS’ design process and solutions.
Designing buildings in context is a driving force behind his approach, exploring innovative solutions to complex programs at a variety of scales, while consistently bringing a thoughtful consideration of form, space and material.
Ron pushes the boundaries of convention bringing life and excitement to each new project. Ron understands the realities of the many forces that shape a successful project, be it physical, financial, marketing or technical, Ron has the ability to turn constraints into opportunities for his clients.
With a professional degree in Landscape Architecture and a Masters in Architecture, his comprehensive approach to design has resulted in successful projects in Canada, China, Africa and Vietnam with a focus on resort, hotel, community center and clubhouse buildings. With an interest in wood design and technology Ron lead a team to design one of the first modern glulam buildings in China.
As the General Manager of our China Operation, Leah manages the administration; coordination and communication of EKISTICS work in China. She plays a pivotal role, ensuring critical synchronization between clients, consultants and design teams in the Vancouver studio.
Leah possesses a unique and diverse skill set, with an understanding of architecture, planning and landscape design, combined with fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, that places her at the nexus of EKISTICS work in China. With a diverse background of growing up in China, and a professional Architectural education in Canada, Leah possesses a special insight in bridging the unique aspects of Western and Asian cultures, ensuring a seamless execution of EKISTICS international work.
Leah’s full time presence in EKISTICS Shanghai office as a Principal ensures effective and timely coordination with Asian based clients on a daily basis. Leah lives in Shanghai and travels extensively throughout the country in support of EKISTICS international projects.
Involved in all aspects of the design process, managing projects from preliminary design through completion of construction, Ryan brings over 20 years of local experience with wood frame and concrete construction. A team-builder and strong leader, Ryan enjoys sharing his expertise with his colleagues and through his role as Principal Architect.
Ryan began his career in Calgary in 2002, after graduating from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. After spending some time with a custom home builder, he moved to Vancouver where he began to develop his experience in multi-family residential design working with several well-known developers.
Through his work at EKISTICS and previous chapters in his career, Ryan has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional quality and service. His significant experience in project management, his solutions-oriented approach to design and construction, as well as his high level of technical know-how benefits EKISTICS clients, projects and makes him a great resource to others.
As Director of Technical Design of EKISTICS, Federico plays a key role in the design of hillside projects, providing innovative solutions to building in challenging terrain. A founding member of the EKISTICS team in 1992, he has gained a reputation for his ability to implement optimal road and building solutions in a way that is sensitive to the preservation of the unique natural attributes of a development site. Federico applies this specialized skill-set to the design and management of EKISTICS golf and resort projects, both in Canada and internationally.
With an academic background in architecture, Federico brings over 25 years of professional experience as an urban designer and site planner. His expertise lies in architectural design as it relates to urban form, addressing large-scale design issues in the context of livability at a human scale.
Federico has been a key team member in the growth of EKISTICS’ international portfolio of projects, by participating in the design of projects in the Americas, Asia and Africa. In the last three years, he has focused his attention on bringing EKISTICS’ design solutions to Cuba’s emerging market of new tourist and real-estate projects promoted by the 2014 Foreign Investment Law.
As Chief Designer, Steven manages a team of design professionals, providing Planning and Landscape Architecture services to a wide variety of projects throughout Canada and China. With over 25 years of experience in the field of Landscape Architecture, Steven’s principal expertise lies in his ability to transform client needs into practical and beautiful solutions, creating truly spectacular places.
Steven brings a broad understanding and diverse set of skills to his work at EKISTICS. While highly skilled in technical and computer design software, Steven truly excels as an artist, creating beautiful designs by hand. Drawing since childhood, Steven is an award-winning artist, exhibiting his paintings in multiple galleries and shows.
Since joining EKISTICS, Steven has been a key designer for tourism resorts, urban mixed use projects, new communities and cities across Canada and China. He excels with conceptual design, from planning new communities to designing boutique resorts, and enjoys translating big ideas into real solutions from detailed landscape architectural design through construction.
Holding a degree in Landscape Architecture from Kansas State University, Steven began his career in Florida, becoming licensed in the state in 1999, and leading the creative direction in prestigious international design firms for luxury resorts, prominent communities and new towns. Joining EKISTICS in 2011, Steven draws upon his diverse experience to guide his design of new projects.
Steven travels extensively in support of EKISTICS numerous international projects, applying his passion for innovation and his ability to create design solutions that are both functional and aesthetically inspiring.
EKISTICS is a multi-disciplinary design and consulting studio specializing in sustainable planning, architecture, landscape architecture and land development. We bring together an energetic team of talented design professionals with expertise in planning, architecture, urban design, stakeholder consultation, resort planning, landscape architecture and golf design to pursue the Art of Place-Making. We’re looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic Junior Landscape Designer to join our Vancouver studio.
You’ll work closely with an assigned lead designer on a broad range of projects, assisting with design preparation and production. This will include but not be limited to:
- Organizing and preparing base information and studies
- Concept development under supervision and mentorship
- Subdivision CAD design under supervision and mentorship
- Producing conceptual 3D models
- Producing illustrations and diagrams for design communication
- Packaging design reports and presentations
- Holding a degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Urban Design.
- Fluent in critical thinking, with interest in land development and private sector consulting.
- Quick-learner and competent across multiple creative software platforms. Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp and AutoCAD is required, while skills with Civil3D, GIS, and/or 3D modeling, rendering and animation is considered an asset.
- Collaborative and self-motivated, being adaptable to shifting project demands.
- Organized and detail-oriented, confident in taking on new challenges and capable of tracking complex projects and strategic relationships.
- Committed to excellent written, graphic, and verbal communication that emphasizes professionalism and team support.