MDI Landscape Architects

MDI Landscape Architects MDI Landscape Architects is based in Victoria, BC, and focuses on integrated design solutions.

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!

At Glenyon Norfolk School, the landscape design provides opportunities for students to engage and connect with the beach...
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!

Almost 10 years later, we're happy to see the Courthouse Green project still thriving!In 2016, MDI was retained to help ...
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.

This is the Summit at Quadra Village, finished in 2020. This complex has 320-units of residential and dementia care fac...
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.

This year at Design Victoria, a tour was held by Merrick Architecture at St. Micheals University School (SMUS), where we...
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. 🌳

We recently conducted a one-year landscape review of Paragon Parc, a 33-unit townhome project. The design features layer...
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!

Here is an example of how even urban, high-traffic environments can contribute to local ecosystems when designed intenti...
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.

This is Greyson - an exciting new residential development with collaborators Abstract Developments and Blackbird Collect...
04/17/2026

This is Greyson - an exciting new residential development with collaborators Abstract Developments and Blackbird Collective! Located in Victoria's Uptown neighborhood, Greyson is a 23-unit townhome complex with a thoughtful design that balances function, comfort and aesthetics. The rich planting palette softens the boundaries of the complex, and brings a sense of calm and comfort, while the permeable unit paving manages stormwater runoff. Some townhome units in Greyson are still available - see Abstract Developments for more info! 🌿🏡

If you frequent downtown Victoria, chances are you've passed by the Rotunda! MDI collaborated on the redevelopment of th...
04/14/2026

If you frequent downtown Victoria, chances are you've passed by the Rotunda!

MDI collaborated on the redevelopment of the 1500 block of Douglas Street—two mixed-use buildings that anchor a key downtown corridor across from Victoria’s City Hall. The project extends the site’s LEED™ Platinum performance into the public realm through a streetscape that merges urban design excellence with ecological infrastructure. Rainwater from roofs and roadways is captured, filtered, and reused through a coordinated system of green roofs, rain gardens, and underground cisterns. Street trees line the sidewalk and contribute to the downtown canopy, while integrated bike lanes, wide sidewalks, and active plazas create a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented environment that redefines sustainability in the civic core.

We're so proud that our landscape design for Power To Be Base Camp was selected as a landADAPT case study. landADAPT see...
04/10/2026

We're so proud that our landscape design for Power To Be Base Camp was selected as a landADAPT case study. landADAPT seeks to build capacity, develop tools, and foster dialogue on climate and biodiversity within the landscape architecture community. Our project for Power To Be will help other designers learn about climate-positive solutions that also provide a deep level of accessibility and social benefit for people.

Kudos also to Christine Lintott Architects, who were instrumental in developing a regenerative design vision for the site. Thank you to Power To Be, who help create access to nature to people with cognitive, physical, financial, and social barriers.

Check out the case study on CSLA's website here: https://www.csla-aapc.ca/mission-areas/power-be-basecamp

Address

3388A Tennyson Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8Z3P6

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

250-412-2891

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