John Lantzius

 

In 1961, the Vancouver-based Muirhead and Justice were engaged as local landscape consultants, and in 1963 John Lantzius (who had formerly been with Muirhead and Justice as well as an apprentice at Halprin's) was brought on as "executive landscape consultant," still working under Halprin's overall guidance.

A 1968 document entitled Landscape Concept—University of Victoria articulates the guiding principles of the campus architecture:

It has been our intent from the beginning to reflect the native plant material of Vancouver Island on the campus, and to create an imaginative environment using such plants as Gary Oak, Arbutus, Dogwood and other conifers. The major tree framework—which binds the buildings and open areas into a unified composition—is the most important and must receive the most emphasis. This tree framework of evergreen trees (broadleaf and conifers) will be used primarily, in mass, to frame vistas, soften the architectural elements, as backgrounds, and as extensions of the forest areas . . . The open areas will be contoured lawns which merge into the native forest.

Most Vancouver-area gardens were heavily influenced by English styles (and to a lesser extent, German) mainly because the climate was similar. Information in British and German how-to books easily adapted to West Coast conditions.

John Lantzius's firm also played a major role, working with architects Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey on such projects as Simon Fraser University. Other Lantzius projects included the University of Victoria's Gordon Head campus, housing on the former Langara golf course and massive expansion at UBC.