Reinhart Petersmann’s career in Landscape Architecture began with a two-year apprenticeship in gardening in Germany from 1953-55. He would later work as a gardener/landscaper in Palma De Mallorca, Toronto, Germany and Montreal.
In 1959, Reinhart continued his studies at the College of Horticulture at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, receiving a Master in Landscaping (Master Gardener designation) and a Suitability Statement for future studies in Landscape Architecture.
He went on to study Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the State University for Formative Art in Kassel, Germany (1963-68). Learning first from H. Mattern and then G. Grzimek, he received a “Dipl. Eng. of Landscape Architecture.”
Reinhart immigrated to Montreal, Canada in 1968 hoping to find meaningful employment. He worked for a short period with Louis Peron on the Expo ‘67 Montreal site. Following that, he found work with Parks Canada (1969) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He designed the Final Master Plan for the new national park in Kouchibouguac, New Brunswick, and completed a detailed design for the roads, campground and day use area. In addition, he designed a campground for Terra Nova National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 1973, Reinhart started his own business in Halifax and became the first Landscape Architect in Atlantic Canada to make a living from his profession. The following year, the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) asked him to start an association in the Maritimes. With the help of Fellow Estyl Mooney, he founded APALA (Atlantic Provinces Association of Landscape Architects) and served as President for the first four years.
Some major projects from RL Petersmann Landscape Architecture included the Canadian Coast Guard College in Sydney; the Nova Scotia Welcome and Visitor Centre at the New Brunswick border; the IWK Children’s Playground; the Bob Bartlett National Historic site, Brigus, NL monument; Downtown Dartmouth, Streetscape Improvements including Portland Street and Harbour Walk and Ferry Terminal Park; and the initial development of the Halifax Waterfront design, including the “Tugboat Park” and “S.S. Halcyon” playground, which delighted generations of Haligonian children
Reinhart cared deeply about quality in all his projects, large and small, and was a vocal and passionate advocate for working with the natural landscape, protecting mature trees, and putting care for the Earth front and centre. He was passionate about people-centric site planning and soft landscape design that complemented architecture, as well as effective, functional integration of human usage with the urban landscape.
In 2001, he sold his business to associates Cary Vollick and James McKee, yet continued to do private design projects well into his 80s. Reinhart was a major influence on many landscape architects in the region and his legacy will live on through his many innovative site designs.
The CSLA is grateful to Malve Petersmann who worked with her father to prepare this text. Reinhart died on June 12, 2023. See his obituary here.
Images
Courtesy Malve Petersmann
