MDI Landscape Architects

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.

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!