groundcubed, One of Western Canada’s Largest Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Planning Firms, Launches U.S. Operations with Coeur d’Alene Studio

New Inland Northwest base positions company to support in-demand public realm, civic and state park infrastructure and low-impact development projects across the growing region

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--groundcubed, a leading landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm with deep roots across Western Canada, announced today the launch of its first U.S.-based studio in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

The expansion formally establishes groundcubed’s U.S. foothold, positioning the firm to support communities, municipalities and development partners with robust design expertise in master planning, civic infrastructure, transportation, streetscapes, parks, trails and more. The Inland Northwest, specifically, aligns with the firm's strong track record for balancing mobility and environmental performance in four-season, recreation-oriented regions with challenging terrain.

groundcubed brings decades of experience transforming outdoor environments of all scales into functional, sustainable public realm assets — from high-profile urban projects including Bear Street Revitalization and Nancy Pauw Pedestrian Bridge in Banff National Park, Scotia Place arena and cultural district, and Calgary Zoo exhibits, to hands-on, localized support for rural partners. The firm is also well-equipped to manage technically complex infrastructure requiring close coordination among public agencies, consultants and user groups.

“Our move into Coeur d’Alene feels like a natural next step for the firm as we carry the experience we’ve built across Western Canada into a region with so much energy and potential for thoughtful growth,” said Jonathan Sagi, managing partner of groundcubed. “We’re looking forward to helping communities across the Inland Northwest shape that growth with purpose and creativity, bringing more depth to the everyday places that define how people live, work and play.”

Through the Coeur d’Alene studio, groundcubed will connect U.S. clients with specialized expertise including intricate municipal and regulatory coordination, CAD, Revit and BIM-informed project delivery, sustainability-focused design programs, culturally sensitive Indigenous work and relationship-centered leadership.

The studio is led by Mike Light, PLA, ASLA, groundcubed principal and landscape architect who has been with the firm for nearly a decade. Light brings comprehensive experience in civic, educational and institutional infrastructure, recreation, transportation, streetscapes and master plans, with a focus on low-impact development and inclusive, pedestrian-oriented design.

Light also has direct ties to the region, having previously served as a landscape architect for the City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Division. There, he was the primary contact and lead project manager for notable recreation improvements, such as the Beacon Hill Complex and John H. Shields trailhead, and oversaw regulatory and environmental processes.

As Coeur d’Alene studio lead, Light will guide the firm’s U.S. operations while leading multidisciplinary project teams, managing client and agency relationships and advancing projects from early visioning through construction administration. His work emphasizes accessible, biodiverse landscapes with equal attention to aesthetics, comfort and ecological resilience.

“groundcubed’s approach to placemaking is a strong fit for this area because we understand that the best designs respond to both natural systems and real community needs, whether that’s a small-town playground or a major light rail corridor,” Light said. “Our Coeur d’Alene studio gives us a local presence where we can foster strong U.S. partnerships while offering our clients the same technical depth, collaborative approach and tangible creative energy we’re known for in Canada.”

Light is a professional landscape architect licensed in Idaho and Washington and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Idaho and certifications from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Learn more about groundcubed’s practice, people and expansion plans.

Interested in U.S.-based partnership opportunities with the Coeur d’Alene firm? Reach out to Light directly at [phone] or [e-mail].

About groundcubed

A fully integrated landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm with four studios across Western Canada and the U.S. Inland Northwest, groundcubed brings bold visions to life across natural and built environments. Its collaborative, full-service approach to complex public realm work for public, private and municipal partners alike drives purpose and progress in placemaking through the power of intentional design. More at groundcubed.com.