Don received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon in 1965 and shortly after moved to Vancouver to work.
Don founded Don Vaughan & Associates in 1971, which grew quickly and went on to handle the bulk of landscape architectural projects in the City of Vancouver including the world famous Granville Island. Additionally he designed many of the new downtown fountains and plazas, and completed the design of the Skytrain station at Discovery Square which was recognized with an ASLA Merit Award.
In 1981, the name of the firm changed to Vaughan Durante Perry Ltd to reflect the increased role of the partners. During this time, Don earned the first ASLA Historic Restoration Award in 1983 for Shannon Mews. Additional work throughout the province of BC included the design of the new town of Tumbler Ridge followed by the design of the world famous Whistler Town Centre.
Don Vaughan also completed the world famous Sun Yet Sen Garden at this time, earning a ASLA Merit Award.
In 1984 he formed and led The Landscape 86 Collaborative - a team of 35 B.C. Landscape Architects, to provide the design for site work at Expo 86.
Don received a Diploma in Fine Arts from the Emily Carr College of Art & Design shortly after, with the intent of expanding his toolset to better express art in landscape.
From 1988 until 2010 Don Vaughan founded and ran Vaughan Landscape Planning and Design.
Don was recognized for his exceptional contributions in planning and design with an Honorary Doctorate in 2007 from the University of Victoria.
Projects over this time include the world renowned Concord Pacific Master Plan, David Lam Park, the Nitobe Gardens Restoration, which won a CSLA award, and the Japanese garden at the Museum of Civilization in Quebec, the latter two projects were in collaboration with Shunmyo Masuno.
Don is a fellow of the CSLA, a fellow of the ASLA and a member of the Royal Academy of Arts. Don also holds several Canadian Weightlifting Records.
