Jean François Rolland is a graduate of the University of Montreal's School of Landscape Architecture and earned a CSLA Certificate of Merit in 1978. He served on the AAPQ Board of Directors from 1980 to 1982 and again from 1987 to 1992, and joined the CSLA Board of Governors from 1990 to 1992. He was a member of the Awards of Excellence Committee and the Fellows Jury from 2000 to 2006 and again from 2015 to 2019. In 2018, he received the Frederick Todd Award from the AAPQ in recognition of his exceptional contribution to landscape architecture in Quebec, notably through his projects.
Jean François Rolland has been in private practice for 45 years, mainly with multidisciplinary firms; he was director of the Quebec City offices of Pluram, IBI-DAA and AECOM. Throughout his career, he has communicated his expertise through conferences and numerous projects. His ability to bring people together and his participative approach to the projects he has participated in or led have enabled him to act as a mentor to many young professionals. He has earned an enviable reputation for complex projects in urban space design, urban and regional planning, and recreation and tourism. Many of his achievements have been recognized at provincial and national levels, including 15 CSLA awards. Jean François Rolland has been involved in numerous urban revitalization and road infrastructure integration projects throughout Quebec, as well as a large number of coastal and river enhancement projects.
Among his most notable CSLA award-winning projects are : Percé shoreline rehabilitation, Promenade de la Grave, Sustainable Development Award (2018), naturalization of the Saint-Charles River (2009 and 2011), renaissance of the Cartier Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada (2010), developments surrounding the Quebec parliament (2007) and the Tourny fountain (2008). Several of his projects have been awarded distinctive prizes, such as the Paquet wharf in Lévis (2017), the Pointe à Carcy in Quebec City (2008), and the Promenade de la Mer in Rimouski (2004). Three of the projects in which he participated: the Cité Verte, the naturalization of the Saint-Charles River and the Promenade de la Mer were recognized in 2013 as one of the 50 most outstanding projects in Quebec for the 50th anniversary of the Ordre des Urbanistes du Québec.
Recognized as one of Quebec's leaders for his achievements and involvement in the profession, Jean François Rolland remains passionate about creation at all scales, and remains convinced that landscape architecture is essential to the world's adaptability to the challenges of climate change.
Photo credits
Photo 1: Quai Paquet and the esplanade of the Lévis ferry, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, Ville de Lévis (2013 to 2016).
Prix aménagement, Les Arts et la Ville, municipalities with 100,000 or more inhabitants, 2017.
Silver Award, Design and Construction, Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada, 2016.
Photo 2: Rehabilitation of Percé's coastline and Anse du Sud: La promenade de la Grave, City of Percé (2015 to 2018).
National Urban Design Award and Sustainable Development Award - IFAC, ICU, CSLA, 2018.
Design Award, public projects, IDUC, 2019.
Photo 3: Renaissance of the Cartier-Brébeuf National Historic Site of Canada in Quebec City, PWGSC, (2007 to 2009)
Honourable mentions at regional and national levels from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, 2010.
Photo 4: Renaturalization of the Saint-Charles River, Ville de Québec, (2003 to 2010).
Phases 3 to 6: Honourable mention at the regional level of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, 2009.
Phase 3b and gateways: Regional Citation from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, 2011.
Named one of the 50 outstanding projects in Quebec at the 50th anniversary of the Ordre des urbanistes du Québec, 2013.
Photo 5: Surroundings of the Quebec National Assembly (phases 2 to 5 and 7) and Tourny fountain, CCNQ and Ville de Québec, (1999 to 2007).
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Regional and National Award of Merit, 2007.
Regional Citation Award, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, 2008.
Photo 6: La Promenade de la Mer, City of Rimouski, (2000 to 2003).
National Award of Merit, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, 2003.
Premier prix aménagement, Ville de 125 000 habitants et moins category, Les Arts et la Ville, 2003.
First Road Safety Award, City of 30,000 or more, Association québécoise du transport et des routes, 2004.
Named one of the 50 outstanding projects in Quebec at the 50th anniversary of the Ordre des urbanistes du Québec, 2013.
