About

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.

As Canadian Planning Principal, Paul leads the firm’s local urban design and master planning projects. Holding professional degrees in both Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Paul’s distinctive expertise lies in his ability to use design thinking to read the land, reconcile competing interests, and create design vision that captures the unique spirit of place.

Born on the east coast and raised in central Canada, Paul calls the west coast home. He approaches the disciplines of design and planning as partners in place making, seeking to foster understanding and strengthen the relationship between policy and built form, purpose and experience.

Work in Canada has increasingly required a broad spectrum of skills extending well beyond innovative design and planning to include market and financial feasibility, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure design standards, and development negotiation. Through his hands-on approach, Paul has developed a respected reputation for reconciling the competing interests underlying every project to realize change that is both sustaining and holistic.

Paul draws experience from both the private and public sectors, having worked in Community Parks on Vancouver Island and collaborated as Research Associate on the 1998 province-wide consultations and landmark report for the Provincial Review of the Agricultural Land Commission Act.

From international conference engagements to the classroom, Paul’s enjoyment of design is evident. He has lectured at the University of British Columbia’s School of Community + Regional Planning, as well as in Ottawa and Vancouver with Simon Fraser University’s City Program in Urban Design.

As Technical Director for the Canada Planning Group, Montgomery has been with EKISTICS since 2001. Rooted in digital mapping and site analysis, Monty oversees the CAD department and co-ordinates the technical team.

Montgomery approaches site planning from a unique perspective; each site a puzzle to be studied and built with solid foundations to express and communicate the design. Working in a collaborative process to bring projects to life, he is well known for his eye for detail, always striving for technical innovation, and is always eager to meet each project’s unique challenges.

Being able to experience the results of his work, and walk in communities he has had a hand in creating, continues to be the most rewarding aspect of his work.

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.

RON BAERG

PRINCIPAL – MArch, BLArch

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 a principal at EKISTICS Architecture Inc. and a licensed Member of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC), Mark manages the firm’s business development and architectural projects in BC, and leads a team of talented architects, building technologists, and designers.

Mark believes in a collaborative design and construction process, working alongside clients and municipalities throughout the approvals process. His projects range from large scale mixed-use master planned communities to boutique townhome developments and custom residences.

Holding degrees in Architectural Science and a Master’s degree in Architecture, Mark has received numerous academic awards including the Henry Adams Medal in Architecture and an honorary membership into the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Mark began his career working for both architectural and structural engineering firms in Ontario and British Columbia where he gained an appreciation for the tectonics of architecture working on institutional projects for municipal governments and First Nations clients.

Mark strives for design solutions with a sustainable approach to architectural and planning issues. His work pursues ‘green’ strategies and technologies whenever possible to reduce the environmental impact of development and examples of his projects have been published in both wood industry journals and sustainable building magazines.

Federico plays a key role in the design of hillside projects, providing innovative solutions to building in challenging terrain. Part of the EKISTICS team since its inception 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 instrumental in the company’s international growth, bringing EKISTICS’ design solutions to clients in the Americas, Asia and Africa.

As the Director of Landscape Architecture, Steven manages a team of design professionals, providing Planning and Landscape Architecture services to a wide variety of projects throughout 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 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. His many travels to cities, museums and art galleries throughout Europe and Asia continually work to stimulate his interest in art and its assimilation into progressive landscape architecture.

Joe is the Design Associate at PWL Partnership. Joe has been working in many of the high profile projects for over 15 years. He believes ideas of any types of designs are fundamentally related. He brings the complementary aspects of art, site planning, architecture and landscape architecture to his works. Specializing in placemaking, Joe brings his critical thinking, collaborative communication and artistry to urban design and master planning projects. His expertise also spans to detailed landscape design. He is continually inspired by designs that make a difference and allow others to live and work more sustainably. Joe has a unique talent for design communications through highly skilled hand drawings.

Involved in all aspects of the design process, managing projects from preliminary design through completion of construction, Ryan brings over 12 years of local experience with wood frame and concrete construction. A team-builder and strong leader, Ryan enjoys sharing his expertise and with his colleagues, through his role as Associate Partner.

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.