The Team
Henry Kortekaas and Associates Inc. (HKLA) was established in 1983 and has grown into a thirteen (13) person multidisciplinary firm comprised of experienced, efficient, and dedicated professionals. HKLA consistently delivers high-quality design and consulting services while meeting budget, schedule, and client expectations. The firm provides professional services across Ontario in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Environmental Planning, Recreational Planning, Park and Open Space Design, Site Planning, and Arboricultural Consulting. Our approach is collaborative, technically rigorous, and responsive to client needs.
Kyle Foch
President & Principal Landscape Architect
Kyle Foch is the President and Principal Landscape Architect for HKLA, a registered member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA). Kyle’s a graduate with Honours from the University of Guelph where he was a member of the Landscape Architecture Student Society, a founding member of the Landscape Architectural Mentorship Program. He has been awarded the North American Honours Society for Landscape Architects (Sigma Lambda Alpha) prize for his achievements and leadership among other accomplishments.
Kyle leads projects from inventory, analysis, and conceptual stages, through to detailed design, tendering, construction administration and closeout while working closely with clients, stakeholders and his team to ensure quality deliverables.
Ziheng Liang
Senior Landscape Designer
Since joining HKLA, Ziheng has contributed to a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple sectors. Leveraging strong professional design capabilities and hand-rendering skills, he is able to generate multiple design concepts within tight timelines and advance them into fully coordinated digital drawing packages. Ziheng consistently demonstrates successful execution of projects of varying scales and complexities, including municipal and residential open spaces, high-rise mixed-use developments, parks, recreation and sports fields, school playgrounds, hospital and library outdoor environments, multi-use trail systems, and commercial developments.
Ria Nair
Intermediate Landscape Designer
Since joining HKLA, Ria has worked on a broad range of projects, including subdivision developments, residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, school board landscape design and redevelopment projects, urban park designs, Heritage landscape design, boulevard planting initiatives, and zoo redevelopment project. She has gained extensive experience in preparing hand-sketched concept designs, detailed design drawings, and preliminary cost estimates. Her responsibilities include producing tender drawings and documents such as site preparation plans, removals plans, tree preservation plans, landscape plans, grading plans, standard details, specifications, bid sheets, and supporting tender documentation. She also prepares construction drawings and contract administration documents and coordinates with conservation authorities for permit approvals.
Jared Collinson
Intermediate Landscape Designer
Soon after graduating from the University of Guelph Jared began his career at Kent Ford Design Group, in Toronto, ON where he gained valuable experience working on high end residential and commercial projects. Jared was heavily involved in all aspects of the design process and was able to successfully manage multiple projects at once while developing his skills as a professional. Afterwards, Jared migrated to EDEN Projects in Victoria, BC where he continued to work on high end residential and commercial projects. He also took on a significant role as an estimator, where he developed relationships with product reps, contractors, and clients.
Jared has since joined HKLA as a Landscape Designer and continues to bring his design and construction administration expertise to various types of Landscape Architecture throughout Southern Ontario.
Ross Williams
Intermediate Landscape Designer & Arborist
Ross is a graduate from the University of Guelph with a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture. Inspired to enter the industry by his grandfather, who was an accomplished Architect, he first joined HKLA in 2019 with his university internship program and continued with HKLA until early 2021. During this time, he proved to be an emerging associate. In early 2025, Ross re-joined HKLA and has already proven to be an asset to the firm. He has taken the lead on numerous projects such as, Loyalist Country Club Community development and TCDSB renewal projects. He has since obtained his credential as an ISA Certified Arborist and is working towards becoming a licensed Landscape Architect with the OALA.
Tamia Noel
Junior Landscape Designer & Arborist
Tamia is a graduate from the University of Guelph with a degree in Landscape Architecture. She was active in her school community, being a member of the Landscape Architecture Student Society (LASS) as well as the Varsity Track and Field team.
Tamia currently supports the HKLA team as an Arborist with landscape designer credentials. Conducting site investigation, tree surveying, providing recommendations for protecting and developing on site vegetation through Tree Protection Plans, and any other required arboriculture duties are included in her role. Tamia is also able to assist the design team with design recommendations according to on site and municipal/provincial planting requirements .
Farzaneh Lotfi
Landscape Designer
Farzaneh is a graduate from University of Tehran with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture. As a student, she worked on various projects such as urban parks, and public spaces. After graduation, she started to work as a landscape architect in Iran. She contributed to residential and commercial projects, and was involved in various stages of design, from conceptual design, to schematic design, and construction documentation.
Since joining HKLA as a Landscape Architectural Intern, Farzaneh has worked on a variety of projects ranging from residential and institutional, to industrial and commercial. She is involved in preparation of tree inventory plans, landscape plans, soil volume plans, detail plans, cost estimation, proposals, and contract/tender documentations.
Kayton Tong
Landscape Architectural Technician
Kayton holds a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, providing him with a strong international educational background in landscape design and urbanism. His academic and professional experiences have shaped him into a designer who consistently challenges the status quo and explores alternative perspectives in everyday situations.
As a recent arrival to Canada, Kayton is highly motivated to integrate into diverse work environments and contribute to a wide range of landscape design projects. Since joining HKLA, he has been involved in residential site plan development, park design, green roof design, planting design, and the preparation of project proposal materials, including tender documents and tree preservation reports. His diverse professional background has enabled him to develop into a well-rounded and adaptable landscape designer.
Brandon Kirkup
Landscape Designer & Visualization Lead
After working in professional Landscape Architecture offices and being tasked with leading WSP’s Western Canada Landscape Visualization practice, Brandon relocated to Toronto for the next phase of his professional story. Here he started a solo 3D visualization practice to continue developing a technical expertise in rendering and simulation softwares while building foundational skills as a business owner. Brandon returned to WSP to continue developing its visualization team in Toronto, and has since joined HKLA to lead visualization production and training on multiple projects spanning multi-disciplinary teams.
Carter Tullis
Junior Landscape Designer
Carter Tullis is a Junior Landscape Designer and Arborist with over five years of experience contributing to a diverse range of public and private sector projects. Since joining HKLA, he has been involved in all stages of project delivery, from concept development and detailed design to contract administration and construction review. His experience includes site planning, planting design, landscape documentation, and coordination with multidisciplinary project teams.
Carter supports the firm’s arboriculture services through tree inventories, tree preservation planning, impact assessments, and on-site evaluations. He recently earned his ISA Certified Arborist designation and is actively pursuing licensure with the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA). His combined background in landscape architecture and arboriculture allows him to bring a practical, environmentally focused perspective to project design and implementation.
In Memorium
Tyler Main
President & Principal (2020-2025)
It is with extremely heavy hearts that we announce the passing of HKLA Principal Tyler James Main in December of 2024, in beautiful Seguin. Tyler is a very loved son, brother, grandson, fiancé, nephew, cousin, son-in-law to be, and a friend to many. Tyler graduated from the University of Guelph in 2017 with a degree in Landscape Architecture and has successfully managed his HKLA since 2020.
Tyler was fearless to a fault and lived life large over his 30 years. He always sought adventure and travel with family and friends. Tyler loved the outdoors, he enjoyed skiing, camping, water sports, golf, campfires, and having a pint with friends. While Tyler left us much too early, he would encourage us all to continue learning, growing and experiencing life. He will never be forgotten and always be in our hearts.
The HKLA team strives to continue the legacy that Tyler had started building with significant projects around Southern Ontario and beyond.
Founder Emeritus
Henry Kortekaas
Founder, President & Principal (1983-2020)
After decades of dedication to the profession of landscape architecture, Henry Kortekaas retired from the firm in 2020. Throughout his career, Henry led a small and dedicated team that included members of his own family. He was often accompanied in the office by his beloved dog, Bandit, who became a familiar and welcome presence to staff, clients, and visitors alike. Henry’s commitment to quality design helped shape the foundation of the firm that continues today. His creativity and passion remain an important part of the firm’s identity.
