Ground Cubed Launches U.S. Operations Through Coeur d’Alene Studio
groundcubed, a prominent landscape architecture, urban design, and planning firm with long-standing roots across Western Canada, has officially announced the launch of its first United States-based studio in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. This strategic expansion marks a major milestone for the firm, establishing its formal entry into the U.S. market and strengthening its ability to serve public and private sector clients across North America.
The new Coeur d’Alene studio positions groundcubed to deliver its multidisciplinary design expertise to a broader range of communities, municipalities, and development partners in the United States. The firm specializes in master planning, civic infrastructure, transportation systems, streetscapes, parks, trails, and public realm development. With its expansion into the Inland Northwest region, groundcubed aims to contribute to the shaping of growing communities that require thoughtful, sustainable, and resilient design solutions.
The Inland Northwest, which includes Idaho and surrounding regions, presents a unique alignment with groundcubed’s design philosophy and experience. The area is characterized by varied terrain, seasonal climate conditions, and a strong emphasis on outdoor recreation and mobility. These characteristics closely mirror many of the environments in which the firm has successfully delivered projects across Western Canada. As a result, groundcubed sees the region as a natural extension of its existing portfolio and expertise, particularly in balancing environmental performance with livable, human-centered design.
Over the years, groundcubed has built a strong reputation for transforming outdoor environments of all scales into functional and sustainable public assets. Its portfolio includes several high-profile urban and civic projects that demonstrate its capacity to deliver both design excellence and technical precision. Notable examples include the Bear Street Revitalization and Nancy Pauw Pedestrian Bridge in Banff National Park, the Scotia Place arena and cultural district, and interpretive exhibits at the Calgary Zoo. In addition to these large-scale initiatives, the firm also provides localized design support for rural communities and smaller municipalities, ensuring that even modest projects benefit from high-quality planning and execution.
A key strength of groundcubed lies in its ability to manage complex infrastructure projects that require coordination among multiple stakeholders, including public agencies, engineering consultants, environmental specialists, and community groups. This collaborative approach allows the firm to deliver projects that are not only technically sound but also responsive to the needs and values of the communities they serve.
Jonathan Sagi, managing partner at groundcubed, emphasized that the expansion into the United States is a natural evolution for the firm.
“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,” Sagi said. “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 its Coeur d’Alene studio, groundcubed will provide U.S. clients with access to a comprehensive suite of specialized services. These include advanced municipal and regulatory coordination, CAD-based design development, Revit and BIM-informed project delivery, sustainability-driven planning strategies, and culturally sensitive Indigenous engagement practices. The firm also emphasizes relationship-centered leadership, ensuring that collaboration remains at the core of every project from initial concept through completion.
The Coeur d’Alene studio will be led by Mike Light, PLA, ASLA, a seasoned landscape architect and principal at groundcubed who has been with the firm for nearly a decade. Light brings extensive experience in civic, educational, institutional, recreational, transportation, and streetscape projects, as well as long-range master planning. His design approach focuses on low-impact development strategies and inclusive, pedestrian-oriented environments that prioritize accessibility, ecological health, and long-term resilience.
Light also brings valuable regional experience to his leadership role. Prior to joining groundcubed, he worked as a landscape architect for the City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Division, where he played a key role in the development and delivery of several major public projects. In that capacity, he served as the primary contact and project manager for initiatives such as the Beacon Hill Complex and the John H. Shields trailhead. His responsibilities included overseeing regulatory compliance, environmental review processes, and coordination with multiple public agencies and stakeholders.
In his role as Coeur d’Alene studio lead, Light will oversee the firm’s U.S. operations, guide multidisciplinary project teams, and manage relationships with clients, agencies, and community partners. He will also lead projects through all phases of development, from early-stage visioning and conceptual design to construction documentation and administration. His leadership approach prioritizes the creation of accessible, biodiverse landscapes that carefully balance aesthetic quality, user comfort, and ecological performance.
Commenting on the new studio, Light highlighted the firm’s design philosophy and its relevance to the region.
“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 licensed professional landscape architect in both Idaho and Washington and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Idaho, along with additional certifications from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
With the launch of its Coeur d’Alene studio, groundcubed is positioning itself for long-term growth in the United States while maintaining its core values of sustainability, collaboration, and design excellence. The expansion reflects the firm’s commitment to creating meaningful public spaces that respond to environmental conditions, support community identity, and enhance everyday life across diverse landscapes in both Canada and the United States.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
