Engaging Design

landscape architecture,

urban design & planning

regenerative ecological solutions with social impact

People + Nature

Imagine communities designed as resilient landscapes that bring joy to peoples’ lives.

2020 ruin gardens.jpg — Creating places with nature-based solutions results in cooler urban environments, helps protect and restore ecosystems, manages stormwater, improves health and wellbeing, and results in wiser long-term investments.

In The News

Green Cities: How Green Infrastructure Helps Urban Cities Thrive, By Sheila Bourdreau

10 Women-Owned Architecture and Design Firms

2025 Earth Tending First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples' Green Infrastructure Training and Tour

When it comes to climate change, Canada needs more resilient outdoor spaces. Indigenous landscape architecture can help

Awards

The Runway at YZD - Design Competition Shortlist

Calgary RiverWalk West - Design Competition Shortlist

Keating Channel Pedestrian Bridge - Design Competition Shortlist

Indigenous-Focused

SpruceLab Inc. prioritizes Indigenous Peoples in our work wherever possible, and collaborates with Indigenous partners and communities.

Learn more

Collaborator & Client Testimonials:

“I appreciate collaborating with the SpruceLab team, because they understand how to work meaningfully with Indigenous people and communities, as well as their high level of experiences and diverse expertise. For example, stormwater management with green infrastructure, knowledge from working with the City of Toronto and Toronto Region Conservation Authority, and the depth of research and thought they bring to every project.”

— Terence Radford, Principal, Landscape Architect, Trophic Design
“SpruceLab has provided the Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University, with exceptional planning and landscape architecture advice for almost 4 years, guiding us through the process and phases of an Indigenous healing garden. We are deeply grateful for Sheila and her team’s professionalism and guidance, relational approach and respect in all areas of this initiative.”

— Michael Mihalicz, Indigenous Advisor, Office of the Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University
“The team at SpruceLab have a strong sense of purpose in the creation of beautiful, functional and ecologically responsible spaces. They are a pleasure to collaborate with and bring a unique sensitivity to community and user engagement.”

— Willems Ransom, Principal, Architect, mcCallumSather Architects
“The reason that I reach out to SpruceLab is the unique combination of talents that they offer, which is very hard to find. Sheila’s experience as a seasoned landscape architect and planner with experience in green infrastructure is perfect for the projects that I am involved with. Her team's appreciation and ethic for the big picture of stormwater management mimics ours, and we complement each other very well. Their involvement and deep commitment to First Nations consultation also offers a perfect combination of services to complement the projects that we partner on.”

— Jay Mi chels, Partner, Project Manager, Emmons and Olivier Resources Inc .
“I appreciate being a part of an experienced and collaborative design team that is working to build strong and healthy relationships with Indigenous and community groups, as well as maintaining good working relationships with many urban planners, landscape architects, architects, community developers, and other designers. The team seeks out, listens for, and is interested in a wide range of perspectives, critical conversations, and learning. The team is well grounded in plant and land knowledge, and engages in design approaches to meet both immediate goals and to improve the health of social and ecological communities wherever possible.”

— Jane Hayes, Principal, Garden Jane & Hoffman Haye s
“SpruceLab has been a pleasure to work with. They responded to our requests with an open mind and applied a fine sense of detail when concluding projects. Their drive to create opportunity as a core business philosophy is truly commendable and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

— Jeremy Wright, Business Development & Project Manager, ZinCo
“Smoke Architecture has worked collaboratively with SpruceLab Inc. since 2020 on multiple institutional projects. Sheila’s experience as a Landscape Architect and Planner who focuses on Indigenous Projects and projects integrating Indigenous Knowledge (Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee) allows her to bring a unique perspective to every project. Sheila is a pleasure to work with, detail oriented and budget conscious, she provides quality services ranging from advising / designing to detailed design as needed...”

— Eladia Smoke, Partner, Principal Architect, Smoke Architecture
"I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Sheila on numerous initiatives over the past 15 years including co-leading a Jane’s Walk about Toronto’s urban design and urban forests. She brings to every project years of technical experience, critical understanding of the issues, a collaborative spirit and deep respect for the perspectives of all stakeholders."

— Todd Irvine, Principal at City Forest
“There are people that dream and then there are people that dream and do. The latter is Sheila Boudreau. She envisions a concept, creates a team from a ray of diverse experts, to then produce something extraordinary. We have crossed paths on a few projects over the years. St. Andrew Child Care was one of my first fully naturalized child care playgrounds to develop, and she created a vision and a place where currently The Learning Enrichment Foundation provides nature based outdoor play for ages 0 to 6. Sheila and I also sat on the City of Toronto Public Health sponsored “UVR Shade Committee” as part of the Cancer Coalition. A dynamic committee, fueled by Sheila’s ideas, by promoting & harnessing shade as a tool to enhance street design, schoolyards, child care playgrounds, park design thereby making them healthier environments to use. Her work is innovative & collaborative by using imagination and expertise – a refreshing combination.”

— Gail D. O’Donnell, Project Manager, Capital Projects, Children’s Services Division, City of Toronto