NATURE-BASED DESIGN SERVICES.
At MDI, we integrate nature-based design solutions to create sustainable, eco-friendly landscapes that harmonize with the environment. Our expertise spans landscape architecture, stormwater management, and geospatial services, allowing us to deliver innovative designs informed by cutting-edge technologies like GIS, LiDAR, and drone-based analysis. By leveraging local knowledge of habitats and ecological processes—particularly along Canada’s Northwest Coast — we design adaptive, resilient spaces that enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and mitigate climate challenges. From permeable pavements and green roofs to rain gardens and ecological restoration, our holistic approach blends natural beauty, sustainability, and functionality.
We connect people with nature, creating spaces that inspire, educate, and endure for generations to come.
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Our landscape architectural services focus on integrating nature-based design solutions that harmonize with the environment. We create sustainable, eco-friendly spaces that enhance biodiversity and support natural ecosystems. Clients benefit from innovative designs that reduce environmental impact while offering aesthetic and economic value.
We are proponents of adaptive site management - a flexible, dynamic approach to managing land and planning development projects. It involves continuously monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting strategies to respond to changing conditions and unforeseen challenges. Rather than sticking to a rigid plan, it allows for modifications based on feedback and evolving site conditions, ensuring that management actions remain effective and sustainable over time.
We analyze local topography, soil conditions, and hydrology to create integrated systems that effectively manage stormwater. We design with green technologies such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, and green roofs to enhance climate resiliency and mitigate urban flooding. These techniques, which allow rainwater to infiltrate the ground rather than overwhelm traditional drainage systems. These solutions not only reduce the volume, but also filter pollutants, improving water quality.
We utilize the latest remote sensing, drone and GIS technologies to understand the land and waters in which we work, completing complex analyses and site modelling using LiDAR, photogrammetry and more. Industry leading analyses inform our designs from start to finish.
THE WAY WE WORK
Operating primarily along Canada's Northwest Coast, we are recognized as experts in local habitats, ecological restoration, site planning, and stormwater management. Our holistic approach leverages natural processes. By working with nature, rather than against it, we aim to mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, improve water management, and build community resilience. We prioritize sustainable development that benefits people, the planet, and the bottom line for land developers and other clients.
We understand the architectural and cultural mission of our work is to create novel experiences that are buttressed by human interaction with natural systems and the beauty these systems contain. By connecting people with the beauty and lessons of the natural world, we inspire curiosity and a deeper understanding of the ecosystems we rely on. The places we design highlight the importance of these ecological systems, which we strive to enhance for future generations.
Trusted by
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Highly impermeable urban surfaces create immense volumes of stormwater runoff.
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Very fast delivery of water to streams and rivers.
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Increased floods.
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Low summer flow in steams..
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Low infiltration and interflow.
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Highly polluted run-off toxic to aquatic life.
01
THE PROBLEM
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THE PRECEDENT
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Natural systems have dense biomass that intercepts rains.
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Vegetation evapotranspires a portion of rainfall.
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Spongy soils absorb stormwater.
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Natural features like low points collect water temporarily.
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Slow release of naturally filtered water into hydrological system.
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THE SOLUTION
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Mimic natural systems.
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Incorporate nature-based solutions, like green roofs, rain planters and rain gardens.
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Increase biomass and biodiversity.
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Save money on irrigation and other landscape inputs.
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Limit contribution to costly floods and natural disasters.