Sue Sirrs, Founder & Principal of Outside! Landscape Architects, received her Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) degree from the University of Waterloo in 1990 and her MLA from the University of Guelph in 1995. Outside! is an international award-winning firm dedicated to innovative work in landscape architecture with a focus on creating amazing outdoor spaces. Founded in 2006, the firm works with clients on a range of diverse and creative projects. The company's portfolio includes commercial, residential and institutional projects in urban and remote areas. Projects are infused with a sense of character that respect the site, creating contemporary outdoor environments, often with a playful twist on traditional design.
Sue's projects have won multiple awards from international, national and regional organizations. Her projects have attracted media coverage including the CTV Morning Show, Canada House and Home magazine's 2022 A-List Designers Issue, as well as industry publications and coverage of her living wall projects in Nova Scotia school science textbooks. Nova Scotia Tourism promotional images often feature her iconic landmarks like the hammocks & the submarine playground on the Halifax waterfront. Sue’s work in living architecture remains ground-breaking in cold-climate environments with installations thriving decades later.
Sue’s work with community organizations has been life changing as she’s shared her landscape architecture skills with dedicated community members in organizations like Hospice Halifax, the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association, North Grove, the Daffodil Garden for Cancer Survivors and many others. Her collaboration with Halifax Public Libraries led to the establishment of six outdoor libraries across the region extending library programming opportunities and giving people another reason to love their local library.
Sue has volunteered with several APALA committees including Landscape/Paysages, the 2022 CSLA Congress Planning Committee and is currently President-Elect.
Photo credits
- Cape Breton Retreat
- Exterior Living Wall
- Hospice Halifax
- Submarine Playground
- Waterfront Development Hammocks
