This outstanding project addressed the repurposing of demolition-bound homes and urgent housing needs in a coastal First Nation community. 57 homes were assessed and 10 underwent relocation, where they were then repurposed for the specific needs of the community. This project was not only a masterclass in environmental and community impact, but proved the capability of this build team in their collaborative efforts and adaptability through a variety of complex challenges throughout the build process.
🏆🎉 2026 #HAVANawards WINNER - Excellence in Innovative Housing Solutions: ‘shíshálh Nation 10 Home Rescue Project’ by @renewal_development with @wesgroup
📍: shíshálh Nation / Sechelt, Sunshine Coast
🌟Category Sponsor: @bcitsoce
▶ Swipe through to see the impressive progression of this build!
For the full list of winners, visit: www.havan.ca/awards.
#homedesign #vancouver #vancouverbc #vancouverhomebuilder
We were honoured to win the @havanofficial Best Environmental Initiative award last night.
Our home rescue - relocation - repurposing projects are capturing the attention and mobilizing the imagination of architects, developers, planners and decision makers not just across Canada but around the world.
The work we do takes deep partnerships and collaborations. Much appreciation to everyone who has helped us disrupt the demoltion industry and prove the possibilities of more sustainable development. It takes a village. 🏡 ♻️
h/t shíshálh Nation, @wesgroup , @adamcorneil , @mattkinvig , @kasa_design_canada and everyone else ✌️
$147/sq ft vs. $356/sq ft.
That’s not a typo. That’s the power of strategic home relocation as demonstrated by our Squamish Nation Emergency Housing Project.
Renewal rescued a structurally sound 1,200 sq ft home from demolition in North Vancouver, relocated it to the Capilano 5 Reserve, and transformed it into two fully accessible, energy-efficient units.
Five factors made this possible:
→ Urban proximity (single-evening move, no barging)
→ Quality source material (structurally sound home)
→ Nation-led efficiency (clear vision)
→ Energy rebates ($20K in CleanBC/ISC funding)
→ Duplex conversion (doubled housing yield)
At $147/sq ft for the upper unit and $245/sq ft for the complete project (including basement suite), this sets a new standard for what’s achievable in affordable housing delivery.
Prioritizing quality, sustainability, and community CAN cost less.
Full case study in bio.
🏡♻️ @squamishnation@hcma.ca
#AffordableHousing #CostInnovation
Sometimes the most important innovations come from people willing to look at a system from the outside and imagine a better way.
Without a traditional construction background, @galewis44 came into the industry asking a different question: How do we upend the demoltion industry towards highest and best use and prove the possibilities of more sustainable development?
At Renewal, that question has led to a model focused on rescuing homes, reducing demolition waste, and creating new housing opportunities for communities across BC.
Every project takes a village of partners, contractors and trades. This collaborative approach becomes all the more important as we replicate and scale 🏡 ♻️
🔗 Listen to the full conversation with @stuart.mcnish through the link in our bio.
Check out our newest journal article through the link in our bio! We explore how and why Auckland, New Zealand has become an unexpected home relocation hub - and what we can learn from their model. 🏡♻️
Across much of North America, home relocation is still treated as a niche alternative to demolition. In Auckland, it’s embedded in how the city evolves.
After sweeping upzoning through the Auckland Unitary Plan, redevelopment accelerated - along with demolitions. But instead of sending thousands of viable homes to landfill, Auckland has built a mature relocation industry that moves an estimated 500 homes per year, supported by clear regulatory pathways, market trust, and economic incentives.
With British Columbia following a similar policy direction under Bill 44, the parallels are hard to ignore.
What could a truly mature relocation market look like in British Columbia?
At Renewal, partnership is the foundation of our work.
On the Removal side, we collaborate with developers, municipalities, design professionals, and homeowners to deliver a cost-competitive, one-stop alternative to demolition.
On the Homes side, we work alongside Indigenous Nations, non-profit housing providers, private landowners, and remote communities to repurpose rescued homes into affordable, climate-resilient housing.
Scaling this work requires strong partnerships and smarter local policy.
🔗 Read how we’re working to make demolition the last resort through the link in our bio.
Ten rescued homes. Relocated from Port Moody and repurposed on the Sunshine Coast in partnership with the shíshálh Nation. Converted into 17 units of good, cost effective, climate resilient housing for Nation members.
@renewal_development conceived and executed the project from start to finish. We warmly recognize and thank all of the contractors, trades and partners who helped make this ambitious project a reality: Van Bay Builders, Marcus Wyse, Smudge Brothers, @wesgroup , and so many more.
We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished here. This bold demonstration project caught the attention and mobilized the imagination of architects, developers, and decision makers across the country and around the world.
For us this is just the beginning. We have been building our capacity to replicate and scale our innovative model here in coastal British Columbia. Our mission is to disrupt the demolition industry towards highest and best use while proving the possibilities of more sustainable development.
We are also now fielding phone calls from cities and companies across North America interested to see how we can help bring our industry-leading systems and processes to their markets. eg to help home owners in Los Angeles effected by last year’s devastating fires.
Good things happen when good people come together to solve seemingly intractable problems 🏡 ♻️
Swipe to see the power of reuse →
Completed in early 2026, this demolition-bound North Vancouver home was rescued and relocated to the Squamish Nation and now provides emergency housing for its members.
The renovated home includes a barrier-free and wheelchair accessible lower unit, all-electric systems, and energy-efficiency upgrades throughout.
🏡 ♻️ This project is possible because of our partners: @squamishnation@hcma.ca and Bob Sokol.
→ Read more about this project: link in bio
A year ago, four nearly-new homes in Coquitlam were set to be demolished. Today, they stand in the heart of Sts’ailes territory, full of life.
Through partnership with the Sts’ailes Nation and @westfraserdev , we relocated and modernized these 2016-built homes, preserving over 100 tonnes of construction waste and hundreds of tonnes of embodied carbon.
The journey spanned more than 150 kilometres by road and river, saved high-quality materials, and culminated in a community celebration last spring. Inside each home, a custom wooden plaque honours its relocation story and the partnership that made it possible.
We’re proud to support the Sts’ailes Nation’s vision for sustainable, community-driven housing.
#circulareconomy♻️ #communitypartnerships #homereuse #bchousing #stsailesnation
In November, our CEO Glyn Lewis was honoured to receive the Champion for Indigenous Reconciliation Award at the Indigenous Partnership Success Showcase (IPSS). This recognition reflects the leadership and partnership of the shishalh Nation, Squamish Nation, and Sts’ailes Nation, and the collaborators who make circular, community-led housing possible.
We are grateful to work alongside so many committed partners advancing reconciliation through action.
🔗 Click the link in bio to learn more!
🏡♻️ @shishalhnation , @squamishnation , Sts’ailes Nation, @bosaproperties , @westfraserdev , Chief Lenora Joe, Bob Sokol, and many others!
The ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation and Renewal Development, with support from @bosaproperties , are proud to announce the preservation and relocation of a 2,580 sq. ft. show home. In December, the Delta show home officially arrived in Alert Bay after its journey by truck and barge to the ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation.
In November, partners gathered in Delta to mark the move before the building began its trip north. Today, it’s on ’Na̱mg̱is land, ready to be repurposed into much-needed space for programs, offices, and community services.
Our sincere thanks to the ’Na̱mg̱is Nation, Bosa Properties, @supremestructuraltransport , @edifice.construction , and every partner who helped bring this project to life. This relocation shows what’s possible when collaboration, circularity, and community needs lead the way.
Every year, an estimated 2,700 homes are demolished across Metro Vancouver to make space for higher density development. But, what’s the true cost?
→ These demolished homes lead to roughly 281,000,000 KG of material waste each year, and make up 33% of landfill waste.
→ The demolition of a 1,500 square foot home wastes 60-80 trees.
→ Roughly 1 in 7 of these homes in good to excellent condition.
At Renewal, we believe good homes shouldn’t be torn down. Instead, we rescue, relocate, and modernize them.
High-quality homes are given a new life as affordable, sustainable housing for communities across BC.
Learn more at the link in our bio🏡♻️
