Bellewood Park
Bellewood Park is a condominium and townhome community in Victoria’s Rockland neighbourhood, set within a mature Garry oak landscape. Working with Cascadia Architects and Zebra Design, MDI treated the existing trees as the structure of the residential landscape rather than as isolated features to be worked around.
Grading, access, circulation, and servicing were coordinated to limit disturbance within root zones and support the trees’ long-term health. New planting combines native, drought-tolerant, and site-adapted species to extend the Garry oak habitat, provide food and shelter for pollinators, and bring seasonal colour and texture close to homes and paths.
Along Pentrelew Place, boulevard rain gardens slow and clean street runoff while creating a planted buffer for ground-floor residences. Across nearly two acres of shared landscape, residents move through gardens, gathering spaces, and retained canopy, experiencing nature as part of daily life.
Live Within the Existing Canopy
The Trees Defined the Plan
The mature Garry oaks and their root zones established where paths, access, grading, and servicing could fit. Starting with the trees allowed MDI to retain the site’s defining landscape and make it central to the experience of the new community.
Protect Roots, Soil, and Water Together
Tree retention depended on coordinated decisions below and above ground. MDI aligned soil, drainage, grading, utilities, circulation, and planting so the retained oaks could remain healthy while the site met the practical needs of a contemporary residential development.
Turn Rain Gardens Into Habitat Edges
Boulevard rain gardens clean runoff from Pentrelew Place and create a layered edge between the street and homes. Native and adaptive planting supports pollinators, adds seasonal interest, and connects the rainwater system to the wider Garry oak landscape.
Support a Landscape That Matures
The grading, drainage, soil, and planting strategy was developed around the long-term needs of the retained trees. As new planting establishes and the canopy matures, the landscape will provide more shade, habitat, privacy, and seasonal character for residents.
Bellewood Park demonstrates how existing trees can give a new residential community its structure and identity. By protecting the Garry oaks and integrating rainwater management and pollinator planting, MDI created a human-scale landscape where ecological function is part of everyday residential life.
Similar Projects
