Marius Ois dedicated his working life to the landscapes of the urban realm.
Ois obtained his training in landscape construction and horticulture in Germany where he was born. He completed a four-year practicum prior to being admitted to the renowned Lehr und Forschungsanstalt für Gartenbau, Technical University Berlin, graduating in 1962 as Diplom Ingenieur, Landscape Planning. His first job was with the City of Berlin Parks.
In Canada, after four years working with Leslie Solty Ltd. Landscape Contractors, he became a Parks Planner for the City of Toronto (1967), where his mastery of the landscape design and construction practices were equally valuable design tools. He excelled in landscape construction detail design, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and advanced construction techniques, equipment and materials.
In 1970, Ois moved to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing where he remained for 14 years, focusing primarily on urban renovation and planning for livable cities. He became the Ministry’s Chief Landscape Architect in 1974, establishing landscape design and maintenance requirements for the Ministry, and specializing in the rehabilitation of multiple housing sites.
In 1984, he launched Marius Ois & Associates Inc., where he continued to work closely with engineers, architects, and property managers. His approach was consistently collaborative, and both at the Ministry and after the launch of his consulting service, Ois was instrumental in laying the foundation for a wider acceptance of the profession within government.
For more than two decades (1982-2004), Ois was an adjunct lecturer at Ryerson University, and simultaneously active in the Landscape Ontario Trades Association, assisting in its National Certification program for Ontario’s landscape trades. In his practice and his teaching he consistently stressed design feasibility (function over form), highlighting the need for both technical expertise and viable maintenance for every design.
Ois was a founding member of the OALA in 1968 and became its first Secretary, chairing the Examining Board in 1975. He served on numerous public services committees for landscape trades, on University committees and on the Regional Conservation Authority. He also prepared a wide variety of instructive articles for the OALA Review as well as for Landscape Ontario Trades and other related publications.
Marius Ois was made an Emeritus of OALA in 2015, and after 50 years of practice, is enjoying a retirement of travel, painting and study.
Sources
Marius Ois Portrait Shot
1 + 2 Enbridge Technology Centre, Markham, Ontario, 2008
3. EMIX Commercial Development, Pickering
4 + 5. Works of art by Marius Ois
