Fotenn is an award-winning planning, urban design and landscape architecture firm with offices in Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto. Established in 1992, the firm is committed to a responsive and personal approach and to the honest and fair treatment of our clients and the communities in which we work.

With over sixty staff, each with unique specializations, Fotenn consistently provides successful planning and design services for a range of long-time clients. We maintain a balance of public and private work ranging from individuals and large private sector firms to all three levels of government. While our projects are all diverse in nature, they share one thing in common: a need for practical, high-quality and attractive results. With our wealth of experience in the field, knowledge of current trends and innovative vision, we have added and continue to add immense value to all the spaces we have created across Canada. As we apply our expertise in site planning, land usage, policy development, urban design and landscape architecture, we continue to guarantee high-quality, market-based results appropriate to their environmental settings. Because most of our projects involve stakeholder and community involvement, we work closely with our clients to identify ways to involve and receive feedback from residents, community groups, businesses as well as public sector stakeholders. Well-versed in running digital and social media campaigns, focus groups and community workshops, our team ensures your project receives exposure and feedback before, during and after the process. History In 1992, Ted Fobert and Robert Tennant founded Fotenn Consultants Inc. to provide urban planning services. The firm soon established a reputation for its balanced portfolio of policy formulation, project management, strategic analyses and land development approvals. This led to specializations in planning and development services in Canada’s far north and master planning at military locations across the country. At the same time, Fotenn became a leader in community planning, innovative land use plan implementation and expert evidence at the Ontario Municipal Board. Its clients grew to all levels of government and a full spectrum of private development enterprises. Fotenn staff in 2003 Fotenn staff in 2003. Fotenn opened its second office in Kingston in 2008 and its third office in Toronto in 2015. In 2013 Fotenn added a dedicated urban design team, followed by landscape architecture and geographical information systems (GIS) services. In 2018 Fotenn acquired FD Fountain Landscape Architecture, formalizing the provision of professional Landscape Architecture both independently and integrated with planning and urban design projects. The succession of ownership of Fotenn began in 2014 with leadership moved to Margo Watson, Brian Casagrande and Miguel Tremblay. Robert and Ted formally retired in 2016, remaining active in the business as strategic advisors, ambassadors and mentors. Robert and Ted set the standards of excellence, innovation and dedication to its employees that form the basis of Fotenn’s culture today and into the future.

Expertise

Planning and Policy From large-scale master plans to individual homeowners, we offer comprehensive services in planning, policy formulation, and development approvals to a range of public and private sector clients. Our planners collaborate with our clients to understand their specific needs, assets and constraints in order to provide tailor-made, innovative solutions geared toward successful implementation.

Urban Design Our urban design studio creates engaging design solutions that are underpinned by our renowned expertise in land use planning. Ranging from large, transit-oriented developments, to highest and best use analysis for individual sites, our urban design projects push the boundaries of creativity while reflecting our comprehensive experience, knowledge of current trends, and innovative vision, to keep us at the forefront of the Canadian urban design scene.

Landscape Architecture Whether it be parks, plazas or streetscapes, our Landscape Architecture team works collaboratively to identify and understand the perspectives of various stakeholders. This allows us to present design solutions that appropriately address functional and aesthetic concerns.

Services

Planning and Policy Development Approvals / Secondary Plans / Municipal Planning Services / Campus Planning (Universities, Colleges, Hospitals) / Expert Planning Witness (OMB + LPAT) / Community Improvement Plans / Environmental Assessments / Highest + Best Use Analysis / Public Consultation / Indigenous Peoples Consultation

Urban Design Master Planning / Development Concept Plans / 3D Rendering and Animation / Plans of Subdivision / Shadow Studies / Design Guidelines / Design Charrettes + Workshops / Urban Context Studies / Transit Oriented Development Design / Streetscape Design

Landscape Architecture Public Realm Planning + Design / Waterfront Development / Open Space Design / Parks, Playgrounds + Sports Fields / Concept Design / Schematic Design / Detailed Design + Construction Administration / Tree Inventories + Conservation Reports / Environmental Assessments / Landscape + Visual Impact Assessment

Awards

2023

Award of Excellence for Urban Infill, Ottawa Urban Design Awards

811 Gladstone Ave, Ottawa Community Housing (OCH)

2023

Award of Merit for Urban Infill, Ottawa Urban Design Awards

Bank + Fifth

2023

Award of Excellence, Kingston Livable City Design Awards

Napier Park

2022

Fred Nielsen Company of the Year Award, Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association

2020

Award for Planning Excellence, Canadian Institute of Planners

Town of Wolfville Comprehensive Plan Review

2020

International Making Cities Liveable (IMCL) Design Award Finalist

Tannery District Master Plan

2020

International Making Cities Liveable (IMCL) Design Award Finalist

Barrhaven Town Centre

2019

Brownie Awards Finalist

Tannery District Master Plan

2018

International Making Cities Liveable (IMCL) Design Competition Award for Designing Healthy 10-Minute Neighbourhoods

RioCan Long-Term Vision

2017

Ontario Professional Planning Institute and Heart and Stroke Foundation's Healthy Communities Award

Zibi Master Plan

2017

Ontario Professional Planners Institute Excellence in Planning Award - Urban/Community Design Category

Zibi Master Plan

2017

Award of Merit, City of Ottawa Urban Design Awards - Public Places and Civic Spaces Category

Optimiste Park

2016

Grand Prize Award for Excellence in Planning, International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP)

Zibi Master Plan

2016

Award for Planning Excellence, Canadian Institute of Planners

Zibi Master Plan

2010

Bronze Recipient, Professional Service of the Year, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce

2007

Award of Merit, City of Ottawa Urban Design Awards - Public Places and Civic Spaces Category

Esprit Square

2006

Award of Excellence, Alberta Association Canadian Institute of Planners

The Plateau: Sustainable Arctic Development (Iqaluit)

2005

edra/PLACES

Iqaluit Core Area and Capital District Redevelopment Plan

2003

Regional Honor (with DTAH), Canadian Society of Landscape Architects

RCMP Academy Regina Site Development Plan

2000

Finalist, Small Business of the Year, Ottawa Board of Trade