Firm Profile & Design Philosophy

Ms Ackaoui is a principal of WAA – Williams Asselin Ackaoui & associates inc.  She graduated as a bachelor in Landscape Architecture in 1978 (University of Montreal) and as a Master of Urban Planning in 1986 (McGill University).  As a Landscape Architect and Urban Planner, Ms Ackaoui has led several complex and challenging projects.  She was the project design leader for Sun Island, Harbin as well as for Mount Royal Cemetery Master Plan, a recipient of the award of excellence in sustainable development.  Throughout the years, Ms Ackaoui has developed an expertise in numerous areas of her profession, namely: sustainable development, healing landscape, educational landscape and integration of art in urban environments. 

Combining planning and landscape design allows Ms Ackaoui to work on land development projects in an innovative manner.  She currently collaborates with the City of Montreal as project planner and designer for an eco-neighborhood of 351 hectares in the west end of the Island. 

Besides her professional work at WAA, Ms Ackaoui is a permanent member of the Urbanism Review Committee of the largest borough on Montreal Island (Côte-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough) and sits on several professional committees for project reviews.  She is also a visiting professor and lecturer at the school of Architecture, University of Montreal.

Vincent Asselin is a graduate of the University of Montreal (1978 Bachelor of Landscape Architecture; 1995 Master in Applied Sciences-Landscape Architecture).  He is a principal of WAA - Williams, Asselin, Ackaoui & Associates inc.  

 

Vincenthas a vast experience as project director of WAA'slarge-scale projects. These projects, having many stakeholders, are complex and require management skills and technical expertise.  His knowledge of natural environments as well as of cultural and historic contexts permits him to bring effective and imaginative solutions to theseprojects.

 

He received national recognition both in Canada and in China for the design of two outstanding parks in Shanghai: Yan’an Zhong Lu Park and Xujiahui Park.  He has also received, following the design of Yan’an Zhong Lu Park, the Magnolia Silver Medal, the highest distinction given by the city of Shanghai to foreigners for their contribution to the development of the city. Numerous projects have received national honor awards from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects.

 

Mr. Asselin has been the President of AAPQ (Association des Architectes Paysagistes du Québec) as well as the President of the CSLA (Canadian Society of Landscape Architects). He is currently the Vice-president of Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation (LACF).