We at CTQ Consultants are excited to share that construction is underway at Dickson Manor in downtown Summerland, BC, where we’re providing landscape architecture services. Projects such as this reflect our belief that good design should respond not only to a site, but also to the people and communities it serves.
The vision for Dickson Manor is a five-storey, mixed-use development bringing 60 affordable rental homes to the community. It will also provide a permanent ground-floor home for the Summerland Food Bank & Resource Centre.
Led by Turning Points Collaborative Society in partnership with the Food Bank, the development demonstrates how affordable housing and thoughtful landscape design can work together to create a more inclusive, resilient, and people-focused community.
Landscape Architecture That Supports Community
The landscape architecture plays an important role in making the development feel welcoming, comfortable, and connected to its neighbourhood.
New trees and layered planting will soften the building and parking areas, provide seasonal interest and shade, and create an attractive green edge along the surrounding streets.
Carefully considered pedestrian routes, gathering spaces, and building entrances support safe, accessible movement throughout the site.
An efficient irrigation system will also help to establish and sustain the landscape over time, considering long-term maintenance and water use.
Affordable Housing With a People-Focused Approach
Dickson Manor represents an important investment in affordable housing in Summerland. It demonstrates the value of considering landscape architecture as part of the wider social and community goals of a development.
By combining 60 affordable rental homes with a permanent location for the Summerland Food Bank & Resource Centre, the project will effectively bring housing and community support together.
Creating affordable housing is about more than providing a place to live. It’s also about creating welcoming communities where people can feel at home. We’re looking forward to seeing this taking shape at Dickson Manor!
Thoughtful landscape design adds another layer to that vision. Trees, planting, pedestrian connections and welcoming outdoor spaces can help a higher-density development feel more human, comfortable and connected to its surroundings.
Through thoughtful, practical landscape architecture, we are proud to contribute to a development focused on creating a more inclusive, resilient and people-centred community in Summerland.
