About Us
Originally started in 2016 with a focus on South Shore residential projects, First Pen Studio became full-time for the owner, Oliver, in 2021. The company designs residential and commercial-residential landscapes predominantly in Atlantic Canada.
Great ideas start with us understanding what lifestyle and design choices are most important to you. It is our priority (and joy!) to create inspiring outdoor spaces that combine a contemporary aesthetic with a functionality to suit every client’s needs and budget.
We liaise with our clients throughout a project: agreeing conceptual designs, layout and product choices; throughout the technical architectural process, producing tender documents; recommending contractors and providing support during the construction phase. Design-build oversight and troubleshooting is not optional value: it is the added value our expert team bring to your project.
We create landscape designs that inspire your life outdoors.
Our Team
Oliver Bence
Claire-Louise Osmond
Christine Keller
Owner / Landscape Architect
Oliver Bence, APALA, CSLA, CMLI, has 20 years experience as a landscape architect. He has worked in Canada, the UK and the US with boutique and international firms on small residential to large-scale commercial projects.
He grew up in England and spent his late teens and 20’s working in the music industry: first touring with bands as a roadie then working at record labels.
He became a landscape architect after spending a year doing conservation work in the amazing landscapes of Australia's outback and wanting a career that was artistic, creative and environmental.
Oliver studied at the University of Gloucestershire (UK), worked at Novell Tullett (designers of the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University) then multi-disciplinary firm Atkins/SNC Lavalin.
After moving with his family to Lunenburg in 2010, he worked at Vollick McKee Petersmann before starting First Pen Studio. He consulted for J.Morton Planning & Landscape Architecture in Florida before starting the landscape architecture department at Upland Planning + Design. In 2021, he decided to give his full attention to First Pen Studio.
Oliver enjoys being a guest adjudicator at the undergraduate Landscape Architecture program at Dalhousie University.
Christine Keller
Claire-Louise Osmond
Christine Keller
Landscape Designer
Christine Keller has over a decade of experience in the landscape industry. She grew up on a hobby farm in Southern Ontario, where her interest and appreciation of land use and horticulture began.
Christine graduated with honours from Humber College in Toronto with a Landscape Technician Diploma before completing a Bachelor of Technology in Landscape Architecture at Dalhousie University.
She spent four years in a project management and landscape design position at a Canada-wide, multi-residential real estate company before joining First Pen Studio.
Christine has a strong interest in sustainable initiatives and how they can be implemented through landscape design. She is presently working towards obtaining her accreditation to become a certified Landscape Architect.
Claire-Louise Osmond
Claire-Louise Osmond
Claire-Louise Osmond
Business / Communications Manager
Claire-Louise Osmond has over 25 years experience in business communications specializing in socioeconomic development, business growth, strategic partnerships, and marketing communications.
Early in her career, she worked with a multi-disciplinary team of architects and contractors while project managing a major neighbourhood renewal and business start-up scheme: solidifying that great design creates pride in places, deeply enhances a person's or community's sense of belonging, impacts the way we live, as well as our levels of happiness.
Loving life in Nova Scotia, Claire-Louise is in her element collaborating with an engaged team of people bringing their many talents to the table, holding conversations to better understand, bringing stories to life, and determining all the ways we can prioritise our clients and grow our professional relationships.
Having trained with Common Purpose UK to amplify innovation and resilience in people, organizations, and societies, Claire-Louise is passionate about advancing positive workplace culture and supporting growth in business and communities.