Mark Lewis celebrates 20 Years

Mark's diverse training and experience in multi-disciplinary projects provide him with expertise in water sensitive design (WSD), catchment management, nature-based solutions (NbS), and ecological restoration.

Mark Lewis returned to New Zealand and joined Boffa Miskell after working as a landscape architect and restoration ecologist in the United States, China and the Pacific.

John Goodwin, FNZILA interviewed Mark at the time, and recalls: “I was very impressed by Mark’s cross-discipline skills between landscape architecture and environmental engineering, gained through his experience with the Bioengineering Group in Massachusetts.

“They specialise in the field of ecological restoration, and it was through his time there, and knowledge gained, that Mark developed skills in Low Impact Design, Riparian Restoration, Ecological Design and Stream Daylighting; and those skills were immediately put to good use on a project that I had just been asked to do - the Wairakei Pastoral Conversion Management Plan.”

This involved the conversion of 20,000 hectares of central plateau pine forest fronting the Waikato River to pastoral farming and producing a Landscape and Ecology Planning report – a comprehensive framework for land management and restoration.

Over the past two decades, Mark has developed a unique portfolio of work and clients across a wide range of projects which have pushed the boundaries of landscape architecture to deliver outstanding environmental, social and cultural outcomes.

Mark has worked with councils, industry groups, and central government to establish guidelines and standards for sustainable design. These include Guideline GD_01, Stormwater Devices, and as principal author of the technical documents Landscape and Ecology Values within Stormwater Management, and Guideline GD_04, Water Sensitive Design for Stormwater.

“Mark is passionate about the environment and always seeks the best outcomes for projects,” says Pete Whiting. “He’s developed strong relationships with people and organisations who are able to effect the large-scale landscape changes that help make those outcomes happen; and pushing fellow landscape architects into sometimes-uncomfortable places about how we are responding to the environment has been an endearing aspect of working with him.

“I had the pleasure of working with Mark and understanding his passion for water when we were on the Waterview Connection, with the first stage of the Te Auaunga rehabilitation project. He picked up the ball and ran with it; and the recognition the project has received and the results on the ground, speak for themselves.”

“Mark’s work on Te Auaunga was one of the main reasons that I came to Boffa Miskell,” says Jonathon Chan. “Previously living around the corner, the kids and I would frequently visit the stream and Mara Hūpara playground.

Working with Mark, it became clear to me that his knowledge and capabilities extend far beyond the typical realms of landscape architecture. He is a real asset to Boffa Miskell and the industry more broadly.”

Mark is known for his ability to generate innovative appropriate solutions to complex problems, alongside clients, communities, project partners, and stakeholders with a range of interests. His projects have received national and international awards from the landscape architecture profession and the wider design community, as well as from engineering and infrastructure associations.

In addition to the multi-award-winning Te Auaunga | Oakley Creek restoration, Mark’s work has been recognised and awarded for design and sustainability across a number of projects including the Ararimu wetland, Croftfield Lane Stormwater Wetland, La Rosa Stream Daylighting, Brownhill Sub-station, Bayside Reserve Stormwater Management; and the Auckland Council Landscape and Ecology Values within Stormwater Management publication.

Now a full partner in the company, Mark’s on-going involvement in Boffa Miskell’s commitment to sustainable outcomes contributed to the company hiring a Climate Change Specialist in 2022.

Sam Parsons says, “I was very lucky to be interviewed and recommended by Mark a couple of years ago now, and to be provided with his full support and enthusiasm to jump into whatever climate opportunity seemed right. Mark has been a strong advocate for the development of our climate change capabilities within Boffa Miskell, and has never shied away from anything new, novel, or challenging.”