MDI Landscape Architects

06/04/2026

Last week we popped into the recently finished South Langford Elementary School project! The native and naturalized planting in the rain gardens is starting to fill in and flourish 🌸 The rain gardens will clean and manage the stormwater runoff from the adjacent parking lot. Rain gardens can remove the pollutant 6-PPD-Q which is toxic to Coho Salmon and Cutthroat Trout. Given time to grow, the many newly planted tree will shade and cool many play areas on the school grounds.

The logs you can see on the slope of the rain gardens are one way we like to deal with grade change on site in a naturalized way! It is much more economical than concrete and it provides nutrients and habitat for a variety of beneficial plants, insects, and animals.

06/01/2026

We’re so thrilled to have been a part of the design team for Caledonia!

🔹Province announces completion of Fernwood housing project, and updates public on two additional housing investments🔹

More from the Province:

More people and families will have access to a total of 478 affordable, family-oriented rental homes with the opening of Caledonia in Victoria, and with construction starting on two other developments in the region.

“People need more affordable housing options, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering through our Community Housing Fund,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These homes are built through strong partnerships and give people more choice and stability. They help families, seniors and individuals stay close to work, school and the communities they’re part of.”

The opening of Caledonia in Victoria adds 158 new affordable homes. Construction is underway on two additional developments in Saanich and Central Saanich that will deliver another 320 homes. These projects are part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has more than 95,000 homes delivered or underway, including more than 8,400 homes in the Capital Regional District.

All of the homes are funded through the Province’s Community Housing Fund (CHF) and are being built in partnership with Capital Region Housing Corporation, which will own and operate the homes. Under the CHF program, most rents for these homes are set at no more than 30% of a household’s income, helping people keep housing costs affordable.

“Caledonia is a shining example of what we can achieve through collaboration with local and provincial partners, creating much-needed housing opportunities in our region,” said Zac de Vries, chair, Capital Region Housing Corporation. “Together, we delivered 158 safe, quality homes, turning housing insecurity into hope for individuals and families in Victoria. We are also excited to have 320 more homes on the way through the Verdier and Cedar Hill affordable housing projects.”

Opening of Caledonia in Victoria

Located at 1211 Gladstone Ave., Caledonia includes 158 affordable homes, made up of 97 apartments and 61 townhomes. More than half of the homes have two, three or four bedrooms, helping meet the need for larger rental homes for families.

Residents and the community will benefit from large, landscaped areas, rain gardens and spaces for urban gardening. There is also an outdoor playground and a 135-square-metre (1,450 square foot) amenity space.

People began moving into their new homes in March 2026.

More homes on the way

Two more affordable housing projects are now underway in Greater Victoria:

Verdier, 1183 Verdier Ave., Brentwood Bay (Central Saanich): This project will provide 110 rental homes for people with low and moderate incomes in the heart of Brentwood Bay. More than half of the homes will have two or more bedrooms. The building will also include a child care space for up to 16 children on the ground floor. The project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Cedar Hill Library and Affordable Housing, 3950 Cedar Hill Road, Saanich: This mixed-use project will include a new, 2,700-square-metre (29,315 square foot) public library on the ground floor, along with two residential towers providing 210 rental homes. Nearly half of the rental homes will have two or more bedrooms. The project is expected to be completed in 2030.

05/25/2026

Welcome to the first installment of our ‘Planning and Designing for Healthy Watersheds’ video series! In this series we want to share information about BC’s urban watersheds, how they have changed over time from development, and why many no longer support healthy streams and salmon populations.

Check out the whole video on YouTube at the link in our bio!

05/15/2026

At Glenyon Norfolk School, the landscape design provides opportunities for students to engage and connect with the beach, nature, and the ocean on this stunning waterfront site. Playground areas, amphitheaters, a grassy mound, and an oceanfront walkway are oriented to maximize the ability of students to get outside and engage in meaningful play. Rain gardens and permeable brick pavers treat runoff from the site before it is released to the ocean.

The materials selected for the landscape feature natural, durable materials that tie into the historic architecture of the Junior School Campus. Refined granite and brick juxtapose with natural plantings and open views towards the water, tying the historical elements of the site together with a new, contemporary design that celebrates nature!

05/12/2026

Almost 10 years later, we're happy to see the Courthouse Green project still thriving!

In 2016, MDI was retained to help the Provincial Government – owners of the Victoria Courthouse Green site - to rapidly design this landscape, that went from schematic design through to completion within 6 months. This project features a robust playground, an Afghan War Memorial, and lots of native and pollinator planting.

Our role as the principal designers was to integrate the proposed playground and Afghan War Memorial in a manner that was respectful, and at the same time playful. Given that the site's soils were found to be contaminated, we also helped to coordinate the soil remediation process with engineers and the soil remediation contractor.

05/08/2026

This is the Summit at Quadra Village, finished in 2020. This complex has 320-units of residential and dementia care facilities that will replace other aging facilities in the region, and where residents will receive 24-hour care and support. The Capital Region Hospital District (CRHD), built the Summit on behalf of Island Health. The landscape design features courtyards that will play an integral role in patient care through exposure to high quality green spaces. Edges of the site are lined with trees, and community amenities are integrated throughout to help the facility compliment and enhance the Quadra Village neighbourhood.

05/05/2026

This year at Design Victoria, a tour was held by Merrick Architecture at St. Micheals University School (SMUS), where we got to see an MDI design that was recently completed! This project, which was an addition to an existing building on SMUS campus, features a series of carefully detailed tiered planters and seating areas which respond to the changing grade on site. These areas are accented by paving patterns, planting, and an assortment of new trees. 🌳

05/04/2026

We recently conducted a one-year landscape review of Paragon Parc, a 33-unit townhome project. The design features layered planting, natural stone retaining walls, and thoughtfully placed pathways that guide movement through the space while softening elevation changes. At the core of this project are nature-based solutions, including nearly 500 square meters of rain gardens designed to manage rainwater both onsite and within the streetscape. The project boasts 198 trees, of which 40% are native species, and 60% of the shrub planting area consists of native shrub understory.

The success of this project can be attributed to several key factors. First, we prioritized understanding and working with the land, taking into account the site’s position in the Gabo Creek watershed. This knowledge allowed us to create a plan that preserved beautiful Garry Oak trees and respected the site's natural hydrology. Second, the ex*****on of the landscape was exceptional. We collaborated closely with White Wolf Homes and Michell's Excavating to bring our landscape plan to fruition. Finally, ongoing maintenance of the landscape over the past year has allowed the plants to establish themselves, and the site is truly beginning to shine!

04/27/2026

Here is an example of how even urban, high-traffic environments can contribute to local ecosystems when designed intentionally and with Nature-based solutions! We recently revisited our designs at the Victoria International Airport parking lot (2005 and 2024 designs) and are happy to see that the parking lot landscape manages parking lot runoff and supports biodiversity.

The rain gardens capture and filter runoff from the surrounding pavement, managing pollutants like 6-PPD-Q, to help sustain downstream aquatic habitat and local fish populations. Native and site adaptive planting provides habitat for birds, bringing natural systems and urban design together. On our visit, we spotted red-winged blackbirds making themselves at home 🐦 Another MDI landscape shaped by land, designed for life.