our studio
the thinc tank
Mike is both a registered professional planner and full member with seal of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. His portfolio of experience is balanced between large scale master planning, site planning, parks design, detailed design, and construction management. He has professional degrees in landscape architecture, urban planning and environmental science from the Universities of Guelph and Calgary.
As a planner, Mike has been involved in a number of main street and downtown studies looking at the development potential of sites, urban form, and opportunities for pedestrian linkages/public realm improvements.
As a landscape architect, Mike’s experience includes a wide range of urban, suburban and rural public spaces from open space master planning and environmental management plans to detailed design, tender drawing preparation and contract administration. This includes a variety of streetscape projects taking projects from concept through to construction.
Since April 2008 Mike has been an instructor at the Chang School at Ryerson University teaching landscape construction materials and techniques to students enrolled in the School’s Landscape Certificate Program both in the classroom and online. As a result Mike is well versed in the latest materials and construction trends in the industry.
Peter Heyblom is a leading practitioner in the field of landscape architecture. Throughout his over 23 year career, he has worked on a diverse selection of key and acclaimed projects in association with highly respected firms. Peter has studied industrial design, resource management, and has a professional degree in landscape architecture. Since establishing thinc design, he is committed to bringing this level of dedication and skill to both this new venture and his clients.
Although Peter approaches design from a landscape architectural vein, his interest lies in all facets of the design process. His weaving of different disciplines creates a unique and rich solution. While the results provide a strong design solution, he insists the design must stand up to the rigours of modern constraints. The solution must be creative, but implementable. Resilient but flexible. His solutions also promote the intertwining of vibrant public open spaces with healthy ecosystems, creating whole interactive systems.
Peter thrives on exploration. Whether it is walking in new parts of Toronto, or camping in the wilds of Northern Ontario, his sense of discovery provides a clear vantage point to his design of spaces. He believes in creating intricate spaces, ones which can be discovered and enjoyed, not for only the immediate experience, but also for their return value - an investment that increases with time and experience.
Misha is a landscape architect at thinc design, and holds a Master of Landscape Architecture Degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Specialization in Urban Planning from Concordia University in Montreal.
Since joining thinc design in early 2016, Misha has worked on detailed design and masterplanning for a variety of public realm projects including parks, playgrounds, schools, trails and streetscapes throughout Ontario. In addition, he has worked on a number of mixed-use and residential developments in the private realm. Misha is proficient in producing concept sketches, working drawings, construction drawings, presentation/marketing images, report writing and design.
He has been the lead staff on various projects, collaborated on multidisciplinary design teams, and has been engaged in the facilitation of public consultation. Misha has lead and participated in all stages of a given project - small, medium and large scale - from conceptual design, through to contract administration.
Nick graduated from the University of Guelph in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture. He is a full member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architecture, as well as an ISA Certified Arborist.
Prior to joining Thinc, Nick worked with Baker Turner Inc. in Brampton, where he managed projects from concept through to implementation, and was exposed to a variety of project types and scales. With over four years working for a profession firm, he has developed confidence in site inventory, design, and communication with clients and consultants.
Leandra is a Planner at thinc design. She has a Master in Environmental Studies, Planning from York University, and a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, Geography and Ecology from the University of Guelph. Her Masters research focused on green space retrofits and park planning, lending her an expertise in the policy and implementation aspects of park, trail, recreation, and environmental planning.
Prior to joining thinc design, Leandra worked in policy development in the municipal sector, and has project management experience from the public and private sectors.
Prior to joining thinc design, Leandra worked in policy development in the municipal sector, and has project management experience from the public and private sectors.
As a planner, Leandra participates in all aspects of master plan development including conceptualization, community engagement, research, policy analysis and plan writing.
Kara is a landscape designer at thinc design and holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Honours Planning, with a specialization in Urban Design from the University of Waterloo.
Upon graduation she worked in Vancouver for 5 years on a variety of projects throughout the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. Kara has led projects through all phases of design and is recognized for her ability to understand how sites function three-dimensionally prior to construction. As a project manager she has worked on the design and implementation of revitalization projects, parks, greenways and many projects at UBC.
An avid athlete, Kara spends a lot of her time on the basketball court. When not playing basketball, you can find her playing softball or enjoying a spin class. Her active background has led her on a journey exploring ways to better integrate sports and the natural environment through design.
Stacey is a landscape architect at thinc design, and holds a Master of Landscape Architecture Degree from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies Degree with Specialization in Urban and Regional Environments from York University in Toronto.
She joined thinc design after spending a year working abroad in Amsterdam at Lodewijk Baljon Landscape Architects. Decidedly familiar with the influences and voices that define Toronto, Stacey is excited to be back working in her hometown and the landscape of southern Ontario that she grew up in.
As a landscape architect, Stacey has worked on the detailed design and master planning of public parks, playgrounds, schools, streetscapes and private mixed-use and residential developments. She has collaborated on multidisciplinary design teams, and has been engaged in the facilitation of public consultation. Stacey has participated in all stages of a given project - from conceptual design, to public consultation through to contract administration.
Lauren is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program from the University of Guelph. In her final year, she focused on how to design urban contemplative spaces to improve health and social well-being by using natural landscape archetypes and noise reduction design. With complementary studies in social psychology and studio art, Lauren incorporates both her analytical and creative side into her design projects.
Prior to working at thinc, Lauren worked as a landscape designer and subconsultant for several residential properties throughout Southern Ontario.
Lauren brings both her hands on and technical knowledge of landscape design into her new role as a landscape designer at thinc design. Working as part of the team, she is involved in preparing documents and drawings for the range of projects undertaken by the studio.
Jillian is a Landscape Designer at thinc design. She has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph and a Graduate Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College. She is an ISA Certified Arborist with experience in urban forestry.
For her honours thesis Jillian reviewed conservation psychology research in order to make recommendations on how to design urban environments to better foster environmental stewardship. For her studies in ecosystem restoration, Jillian developed a restoration report for the Bruce Trail Conservancy to guide the management of a conservation easement.
Prior to joining thinc design, Jillian’s experience included designing residential planting plans, building custom landscape features and conducting ecological fieldwork. Having held positions with the TRCA and City of Toronto Urban Forestry Jillian has excellent plant identification skills and is knowledgeable about native and invasive plant ecology.
Emil is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program from the University of Guelph. During his final year he focused on utilizing various flood prevention and mitigation methods in combination with landscape design to create a functional and aesthetic solution for coastal flooding in flood prone areas. With complementary studies in communications and design problem solving skills acquired through his undergraduate degree and design competition experience, Emil brings analytical, creative, and collaborative skills with him.
Prior to graduation, Emil interned for an 8 month period with thinc design in 2019 during his third year internship semester. During this time Emil worked on various projects such as rendering masterplans for both Belle Park and Cornwall’s waterfront for the City of Kingston. He also assembled and submitted multiple design proposals and helped with multiple Master Plan documents as well.
Emil brings his hands on, creative problem solving skills and technical knowledge of landscape design into his new roll as landscape designer.
Geena is a Junior Planner at thinc design. Geena graduated from York University with a Master in Environmental Studies Planning, and has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto focused in Environmental Science, Environmental Geography, and Environmental Studies. Her Masters’ research studied the connection between planning, community-building and engagement, and placemaking through exploring the development and implementation of community gardens in public parks.
Prior to joining thinc design, Geena worked in the municipal sector contributing to environmental program development, community engagement and outreach, and planning policy research. Geena also has past experience participating in community engagement and volunteer work with local community groups and organizations.
As a Junior Planner, Geena participates in master plan development, parks and recreation planning, and community engagement.
Meghan is a Landscape Designer with two and a half years of experience in landscape architecture, urban design and generative and computational design in the landscape. She holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph.
Her diverse portfolio is comprised of institutional, large scale public realm, streetscape typologies, park, and condominium design. She has acquired a dynamic range of skills including detail design, graphic visualization and communication, conceptual / schematic design, large scale planting plans, algorithmic / 3-D modelling and contract administration.
Her diverse portfolio is comprised of institutional, large scale public realm, streetscape typologies, park, and condominium design. She has acquired a dynamic range of skills including detail design, graphic visualization and communication, conceptual / schematic design, large scale planting plans, algorithmic / 3-D modelling and contract administration.
Oriana recently joined thinc design as a planning intern. She is working towards completing her Master in Environmental Studies, Planning from York University, and has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from York University. She is currently completing her Masters research which is focused on urban design strategies for the Finch Hydro Corridor Recreational multi-use trail. She is observing the prominent design features of the trail and how they advance community access, mobility, and ecological integrity and how they can improved. She is looking forward to gaining more knowledge and skills at thinc and applying her learnings to her final major research project. In addition to urban design and planning, Oriana is also deeply interested in heritage preservation, architecture, and history.
Oriana also has past experience working with nonprofit organizations on government funded community engagement projects. She also has a strong record of volunteer engagement at the community level.
As a planning intern with thinc design, Oriana participates in research, plan writing, and community engagement, for master plan development regarding parks and recreation, trails, and waterfronts.