Our Studio

Keith Nyhof

MBCSLA, CSLA
Principal

Keith Nyhof grew up in southern Alberta watching his father’s nursery and landscape contracting company bring landscapes to life. He often joined his father at the office, drawing landscapes and using the photocopier to make youthful creations. Evidently these were formative experiences, as Keith went on to study landscape architecture at the University of Guelph as an adult, obtaining his professional designation in BC in 2007, and co-founding BENCH in 2012.

Since 2004, Keith has been involved in the design and implementation of public and private projects throughout BC, Alberta and Ontario. He has extensive field experience, specializing in MMCD project contract administration, and has managed high-profile projects throughout the Okanagan, including the Kelowna Police Services Building, Enderby’s Cliff Avenue Streetscape Revitalization, and the Giant’s Head Trails Re-Development Plan in Summerland.

Keith spends his free time with his young family, and at every opportunity participates in the activities that the Okanagan Valley is famous for.

Xenia Semeniuk

MBCSLA, CSLA, LEED AP
Principal

Xenia Semeniuk has been involved in the design of landscape architectural projects in the Okanagan and Vancouver since 2007, and co-founded BENCH in 2012. After completing an undergraduate degree in environmental politics and policy, Xenia worked for an environmental law organization and a sustainable transportation NGO before returning to study landscape architecture at UBC, drawn to the idea of the physical manifestation of policy through design. Her professional interests lie particularly in the field of green infrastructure and regenerative design, and she is a past co-chair of the Thompson-Okanagan branch of the Cascadia Green Building Council.

Xenia has overseen the landscape architectural scope of projects throughout the Interior of British Columbia, recently including the Okanagan College Vernon Trades Training Facility and Bus Loop, the UBCO Transit Exchange, Phantom Creek Estates Winery in Oliver, and the City of Kelowna’s Ellis Street Design Guidelines. If she’s not in the office, Xenia is likely to be found on skis, on a bike, or at the farmers’ market.

Valerie Manica

MBCSLA
Landscape Architect

Valerie has ten years of professional experience in the field of landscape architecture, and over six years of successfully managing, coordinating and delivering complex landscape design and planning projects, ranging from feasibility studies to construction projects at a broad range of scales. Valerie has experience in diverse facets of landscape architecture, including research, engagement, master planning, detailed landscape design, procurement, and construction administration.

Ann Jackson

BA, MLA
Senior Designer

Ann Jackson has practiced landscape design in Vancouver and the Okanagan since 2006 in both private and regional government settings. Following undergraduate studies in geography and fine art, Ann completed her Master of Landscape Architecture degree at UBC. She is inspired by a range of natural and constructed landscapes, and is influenced by both her childhood on an Okanagan orchard and her travels in North and South America. Her professional interests include sustainable infrastructure, public space, ecological restoration, and agricultural landscapes. She has extensive experience in bringing projects from conceptual design through construction documentation and contract administration.

Ann’s recent work includes the Grouse Grind Trail Closure Systems Study, as well as the RDCO Regional Parks Design Guidelines, a comprehensive document for planners, consultants and contractors planning and constructing new and retrofit projects within RDCO parks. She was also the design lead for the City of Enderby Cliff Avenue Streetscape Revitalization, the construction of which was completed in 2017. Ann owned and operated Happy Valley Organics, an organic peach orchard in Summerland, BC from 2013 – 2023.

Lesley Harty

MBCSLA, CSLA
Landscape Architect

Growing up just outside of Winnipeg, Lesley spent much of her time outdoors either cross-country skiing, running, or hiking, immersed in the expansive prairie landscape of farm fields, picturesque sunsets, and granite outcrops of the boreal shield. These experiences informed her desire to pursue a career that would allow her to contribute to protecting wild and natural spaces, which led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design at the University of Manitoba, and then a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture.

After graduating in 2017, Lesley joined BENCH. She loves the challenge of designing in the complex environment of the Okanagan – with its sensitive, drought- and wildfire-prone landscapes. She has a keen eye for detail and excels at balancing diverse design considerations such as topographic complexity, strict policy parameters, and the needs of stakeholders. For Lesley, one of the most rewarding aspects of the profession of landscape architecture is being able to see projects in which she was involved come to life through construction and in use by the community.

James Lamb

BLA, BCSLA Intern
Landscape Designer

James joined the BENCH team in 2023, and holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph and possesses nearly 5 years of experience in the profession. Prior to studying landscape architecture, James had a career in the arts as a touring and session musician and worked in landscape construction for a decade, which guides a pragmatic approach to his professional work. He also believes that design through public engagement is at the heart of creating equitable communities, which inspires him to be an agent for positive change.

Will Xiao

BSID, MLA, BCSLA Intern
Landscape Designer

Will began his design journey at Western Michigan University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. While attending a graphic workshop in Las Vegas during his studies, he was introduced to a wide array of design professionals, which led him to discover the realm of landscape architecture. It was the connections made during this experience that ultimately inspired him to pursue a master’s degree in landscape architecture at UBC, from which he graduated in the spring of 2023.

Will grew up in the serene mountainous landscapes of Shiyan in central China. His childhood years were predominantly spent alongside his grandparents in the countryside, amongst rugged peaks and meandering rivers which inspired a life-long bond with the natural world. He brings this inspiration to Kelowna, where he is excited to acquaint himself with the tapestry of the landscape and lifestyles of the Okanagan Valley.

Will is particularly delighted of the special magic that happens when people animate a space he’s been involved in designing, and use it in unexpected ways. Away from work, Will’s favourite place to recharge and connect with nature is on the shores of Okanagan Lake, where he enjoys the tactile experiences of the water, sand and breeze.

Vy Vu

MLA
Landscape Designer

After completing her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh, and subsequently completing her Master of Landscape Architecture at the University of Calgary, Vy joined the BENCH team in the summer of 2024. Vy is inspired by how landscapes have the power to evoke strong emotion, which is what ultimately drives her passion for the profession, as she believes a well-designed landscape has the power to improve our mental and physical health.

Katharine Luo

BA, MLA
Landscape Designer

After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Architectural Studies from the University of Toronto, and subsequently a Master of Landscape degree from the University of British Columbia, Katharine joined the team at BENCH in 2024. Katharine has excellent technical skills and attention to detail, and plays a key role in the production of complex presentation and technical drawing packages at BENCH.

Chelsea Pihach

BA
Studio Manager

As Studio Manager, Chelsea is responsible for daily operations, communications, and proposal preparation at BENCH. She joined the team in January 2022, bringing with her a background in marketing, administration, and logistics. She holds a degree in Psychology from Queen’s University and spent years traveling and working abroad before moving to BC in 2019.

Upon her arrival in the Okanagan, Chelsea was struck by the familiarity of the lakes, topography and agricultural landscapes; to her, they resembled the region of Southern Ontario where she spent her youth. She identifies the Niagara Escarpment as an extremely influential landscape in her life, playing a large role in her upbringing along the shore of the Great Lakes and the Welland Canal.

Chelsea is passionate about spending time outdoors for the benefit of both physical and mental well-being and is inspired to be a part of a team that endeavours to create places that encourage communities to connect with their natural environments.