One of Canada’s foremost authorities on landscape architecture, Thomas Sparling has been a key figure in bringing the profession to its current lofty status. After heading up the landscape architecture program at Ryerson in the ’70s, Sparling started his own firm in the mid-’80s, specializing in the then-niche market of residential outdoor design. The demand for landscape architects has since exploded, and (not surprisingly) his client list reads like a who’s who of Canada’s elite (it includes the Eatons). Sparling’s approach is practical and client focused: what do they want, what is their taste, and how will they use the space. “Understanding the client is just as important as understanding the site conditions,” he says. His projects have included ultra-clean French gardens with elegant fountains and artfully pruned topiaries, as well as luxurious, contemporary designs featuring such extravagances as full built-in kitchens, outdoor fireplaces and posh alfresco dining areas.