In Memoriam - Don Vaughan, LMBCSLA (#31), FCSLA, FASLA
June 21, 1937 – January 19, 2026
With great sadness, Mark and Jeff Vaughan announce the passing of their father, Don Vaughan, a pioneering figure widely regarded as the Father of Landscape Architecture in British Columbia.
Don was born and raised in Coos Bay, Oregon. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he enrolled at the University of Oregon, where his passion for design and the built environment took root. He graduated in 1965 with a degree in Landscape Architecture, beginning a career that would help redefine the profession in Canada.
Shortly after graduation, Don moved to Vancouver with his wife, Patty, his partner of 55 years, to begin his professional career with John Lantzius & Associates. After becoming a partner, he spent a brief period as a director at Lombard North Planning Ltd. before founding Don Vaughan & Associates in 1971.
From the outset, Don pushed the boundaries of what landscape architecture could be. At a time when the profession was often limited to planting design, he insisted that landscape architects belong at the center of city-building. His work helped shape Vancouver, Granville Island, False Creek, Whistler Village, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Victoria, among countless other places. He played pivotal roles in both Expo 67 and Expo 86, including leading the Landscape ’86 Collaborative, which brought together dozens of firms to deliver the public realm for Expo 86 on time and under budget.
As The Globe and Mail wrote in 2007:
“If you have strolled the plazas of Expo 86… tramped the winding waterfront walkways of David Lam Park… met a friend at the fountain at the University of Victoria… clumped in ski boots through Whistler Village… meditated at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden… you have been touched by a creation of one of the nation’s most accomplished landscape architects.”
Don’s influence extended far beyond individual projects. He hired, mentored, and inspired generations of landscape architects who went on to establish influential practices of their own, including Jeffrey Philips, Ron Rule, Kim Perry, Jane Durante, Peter Kreuk, Margot Long, and Masa Ito, among many others. Colleagues often remarked that his proudest achievement was not a specific project, but the people he helped grow — architects, planners, engineers, artists, and students who considered him a trusted mentor and friend.
A master of reinvention, Don approached each new chapter with curiosity and energy. After what he jokingly called one of his “three retirements,” he returned to school at Emily Carr College of Art and Design, earning a diploma in Fine Arts. He went on to create award-winning public art installations, including Granite Assemblage in Ambleside and Low Tide Pavilions in False Creek. Later, he worked alongside his sons, Mark and Jeff, building another influential firm focused on cemetery and memorial landscapes.
Don also believed deeply in teaching and passing knowledge forward. Over the years, he taught and critiqued design studios at the University of British Columbia, serving as an Adjunct Professor (including in 2010 and 2011) and teaching UBC Studies Abroad courses in Venice, Italy (1982) and Athens, Greece (1986).
Even in later life, Don’s determination never faded. Over the past 15 years, he took up competitive weightlifting, winning numerous awards and holding the BC Masters Weightlifting record in his age category.
Don was a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects and the American Society of Landscape Architects, a Life Member of the BCSLA, a Vice-President of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts, and a recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Victoria. He was also honoured with the national CSLA Lifetime Achievement Award. He gave tirelessly to his profession and community through teaching, juries, design panels, advisory boards, and volunteer service.
Don was also a tireless advocate and leader within the profession of landscape architecture. He served as President of the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects (BCSLA) three times, helping to shape the organization during formative periods of its development. This dedication to the BCSLA continued throughout his career. At the national level, he served on the Board of Governors of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) and was deeply engaged in advancing the profession across Canada. He received numerous CSLA awards recognizing excellence in landscape architecture, urban design, and public realm projects. These honours reflected not only the quality and ambition of the work, but Don’s belief that landscape architecture plays a central role in shaping cities, campuses, and communities.
Beyond his remarkable professional legacy, Don will be remembered for his generosity, humility, sharp wit, and deep belief in people. He was a builder — of places, of professions, and of lives. His work continues to shape how millions experience the landscapes of British Columbia and beyond, and his influence lives on through those he taught, mentored, and loved.
He will be deeply missed.
A celebration of life will be held on February 15, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the West Vancouver Yacht Club.