Fotenn is an award-winning planning, urban design and landscape architecture firm with offices in Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto. Established in 1992, the firm is committed to a responsive and personal approach and to the honest and fair treatment of our clients and the communities in which we work.

With over seventy staff, each with unique specializations, Fotenn consistently provides successful planning and design services for a range of long-time clients. We maintain a balance of public and private work ranging from individuals and large private sector firms to all three levels of government. While our projects are all diverse in nature, they share one thing in common: a need for practical, high-quality and attractive results. With our wealth of experience in the field, knowledge of current trends and innovative vision, we have added and continue to add immense value to all the spaces we have created across Canada. As we apply our expertise in site planning, land usage, policy development, urban design and landscape architecture, we continue to guarantee high-quality, market-based results appropriate to their environmental settings.

Because most of our projects involve stakeholder and community involvement, we work closely with our clients to identify ways to involve and receive feedback from residents, community groups, businesses as well as public sector stakeholders. Well-versed in running digital and social media campaigns, focus groups and community workshops, our team ensures your project receives exposure and feedback before, during and after the process.

History

In 1992, Ted Fobert and Robert Tennant founded Fotenn Consultants Inc. to provide urban planning services. The firm soon established a reputation for its balanced portfolio of policy formulation, project management, strategic analyses and land development approvals. This led to specializations in planning and development services in Canada’s far north and master planning at military locations across the country. At the same time, Fotenn became a leader in community planning, innovative land use plan implementation and expert evidence at the Ontario Municipal Board. Its clients grew to all levels of government and a full spectrum of private development enterprises.

Fotenn opened its second office in Kingston in 2008 and its third office in Toronto in 2015. In 2013 Fotenn added a dedicated urban design team, followed by landscape architecture and geographical information systems (GIS) services. In 2018 Fotenn acquired FD Fountain Landscape Architecture, formalizing the provision of professional Landscape Architecture both independently and integrated with planning and urban design projects.

The succession of ownership of Fotenn began in 2014 with leadership moved to Margo Watson, Brian Casagrande and Miguel Tremblay. Robert and Ted formally retired in 2016, remaining active in the business as strategic advisors, ambassadors and mentors. Robert and Ted set the standards of excellence, innovation and dedication to its employees that form the basis of Fotenn’s culture today and into the future.

In 2024, following the retirement of Managing Partner Margo Watson, Fotenn’s succession continued with new shareholders joining Brian Casagrande and Miguel Tremblay. Representing Principals from all three offices, and across all disciplines, Fotenn’s new shareholder group includes Mike Keene, Matt Reid, Paul Black, Ashley Bedard, Matt McElligott, Doug Fountain, Jen Wood, and Rejane Padaratz. Margo’s retirement also sees the transition of her duties to a newly established Executive Committee, which serves as the central body responsible for shaping Fotenn’s strategic direction, policies and operational decisions.

We embrace these changes moving forward and are excited to continue to grow and innovate and to further establish Fotenn as an industry-leading planning, urban design and landscape architecture firm and an excellent place to work.