David Vandermay

About

Landscape Architectural Designer & Park Planner.

I hold a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours, 2020) from the University of Guelph and am an Associate Member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects.

My work balances social, environmental, and aesthetic considerations across parks, public spaces, and mixed-use developments. I'm proficient in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and a variety of design tools across MacOS and Windows.

Outside of work, I enjoy skiing, fitness and nutrition, the automotive industry, and travel, I've spent time in 30+ countries.

Education

  • University of Guelph, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours), 2020
  • Heritage Woods Secondary School, Port Moody, BC, Honour student (2011 to 2016)
  • Leman Manhattan Preparatory School, NYC, IB Honour student (2014 to 2015)
Coastal mountains and harbour, photographed by David Vandermay
Photo by David Vandermay

Experience

  1. Park Planner / Designer

    District of Saanich, BC · April 2025 to Present

    • Lead implementation of the municipal People, Pets and Parks Strategy through design, planning, and public engagement.
    • Plan and design modifications to existing parks per Council direction, including PKOLS (Mount Douglas), currently in construction, and Cuthbert Holmes Park.
    • Respond to high volumes of public inquiries and collaborate with internal departments, consultants, and stakeholders.

  2. Landscape Architectural Designer

    VDZ+A, Fort Langley, BC · Mar 2024 to Sept 2024

    • Managed construction administration for projects across the Langley area, site visits, reports, and site instructions.
    • Contributed to design of FIFA World Cup training facility concepts, multi-residential developments, and town centres across the Lower Mainland.
    • Cost estimation and design for high-end artificial turf sports fields using AutoCAD and Infinity Software.

  3. Landscape Architectural Designer

    Hill Design Studio, Kitchener, ON · Jan 2021 to Jan 2024

    • Core member of a three-person team taking on 85+ new contracts per year.
    • Led industrial, commercial, and multi-residential/mixed-use projects through site plan approval, cost estimation, AutoCAD drafting, bid/tender preparation, site meetings and inspections.
    • Designed multi-million dollar public parks with full recreational facilities, sport courts, and splash pads.

  4. Landscape Architect Intern

    GSP Group, Kitchener, ON · Jan to Sept 2019

    • Concept development, detailed design, and working drawing production through to full cost reporting.
    • Contract administration, site instructions, change orders, and as-built drawings.
    • Projects included Hamilton Central Park, Valley View and Hunt Club Estates subdivisions, Wilfrid Laurier University entrance plaza, and the Volkswagen Corporate office.