April 15, 2012
Seferian Design Group completely transformed Joseph Brant Hospital courtyard.
LO members support community
Seferian Design Group gives to many projects
Seferian Design Group (SDG) in Burlington has provided volunteer time in a number of community and Landscape Ontario events.The Landscape Ontario Green for Life garden at Canada Blooms 2011 was designed by Haig Seferian and his team, while the construction was coordinated by SDG through 35 different trades within the industry.
This feature garden exemplified the use of green roof design and vertical gardens. The breathing walls, as they are commonly known, demonstrated the shape of things to come as the industry pushes forward with new design ideas and technology.
SDG carried the Joseph Brant Hospital project in Burlington from concept through to implementation. The project provided an opportunity to mentor Humber College Landscape Design program students. Seferian worked closely with the president of Humber College and the college instructors to give students hands-on experience, while implementing the firm’s elaborate design. The transformation was an instant success, as residents populated the site immediately after construction. The project was also filmed for an HGTV episode of Green Force.
When it came time to revitalize the centre courtyard garden space at the Burlington Art Centre, SDG stepped forward. A public focal point on the waterfront since 1978, the time had arrived to remove overgrown plants and a water feature that did not work. As with all non-profit groups, the Burlington Art Centre was challenged with limited funds.
Landscape architect Haig Seferian was asked to redesign the garden. He says, “It is always an honour to contribute to enhancing the community. The opportunity to update the courtyard garden and bring it into the 21st century, including updates to ensure accessibility for all people’s needs and ages, was rewarding for me and my team. Everyone that worked on creating this great garden demonstrated a commitment to giving back to the community. I’ve always enjoyed inspiring my peers in the landscape architecture industry to do so. Fortunately our firm is connected with trades and suppliers that share our passion for the development of community enhancement.”
The Cutting Garden
The Cutting Garden in Grafton regularly donates its consultation and design time, information support and advice to local volunteer groups, such as Cobourg Rotary, Northumberland Big Sisters and Big Brothers, Northumberland Hills Hospital, Grafton Community Centre and various silent auctions in support of community activities.The company volunteers its services at the local women’s shelter by providing garden maintenance. Over the past winter, The Cutting Garden worked on a redesign for the gardens. Sian Pritchard of The Cutting Garden says that the new design will be implemented by its crews along with other community volunteers as part of Cobourg’s annual ‘Day of Caring.’
“It’s so important to give back to the community that supports us, personally and commercially,” says Pritchard.
LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni CLT recently asked members to share the great causes and projects their company has been involved with over the past year or two.
Each month Landscape Ontario magazine will feature a number of projects our members have performed in their community. Any members, who have a project that helped their community, may do so to by emailing adennis@landscapeontario.com.