Canadian Company Recognized at Prestigious Architectural Exposition in Venice, Italy for Demonstrating Sustainability in Housing Construction
Vancouver, BC – Renewal Development, the Vancouver-based company that has been a leader in relocating and repurposing homes, has been selected to appear at the prestigious 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.
The Pavilion of France selected Renewal Development because of its project that demonstrates sustainability in prefabricated housing construction. That project will be featured throughout the French pavilion in Venice from May 10 to November 23rd.
“This international recognition would not have been possible without the leadership of the shíshálh Nation and Wesgroup. It was through deep partnerships, creative thinking, and steadfast commitment that this ambitious and innovative housing solution was realized at this scale,” says Renewal Development CEO Glyn Lewis.
In 2024, Renewal Development partnered with developer Wesgroup and the shíshálh Nation to relocate ten high value Port Moody homes set for demolition to the shíshálh Nation on the Sunshine Coast. The Nation has been experiencing an acute housing shortage with 900 Nation members currently on a waitlist for housing.
“First Nations have long sought community-led solutions that foster resource management and circular initiatives that reduce waste,” says Yalxwemult, Lenora Joe, shíshálh Nation’s elected lhe hiwus (Chief). “Renewal Development had the foresight to recognize our traditional values and help us provide good homes for the first time in 10 years.”
“At Wesgroup, we believe that building successful communities requires both innovation and collaboration. Renewal Development’s model exemplifies what’s possible when sustainability, circularity, and community needs come together. We were proud to support this partnership with the shíshálh Nation, and we’re very happy to see it recognized on the global stage,” says Dean Johnson, Senior Vice President of Development at Wesgroup. “Our hope is that international audiences will be inspired by this approach – and that it sparks broader conversations about how we deliver housing more sustainably.”
From May 5 to May 10, a team representing Renewal Development, shíshálh Nation, and Wesgroup will be attending the official opening of La Biennale in Venice, Italy.
The Venice Biennale (La Biennale di Venezia) is one of the longest-running cultural festivals in the world. It now attracts up to 600,000 international visitors each year. The world’s top curators organize ambitious exhibitions that are often considered to be highly political, provocative or groundbreaking.
“Every year 2,700 single family homes are torn down across Metro Vancouver to make space for higher density development. We estimate four hundred of these homes are in very good condition. Instead of being sent to the landfill these homes should be lifted, relocated and repurposed as affordable housing for non-urban communities in need. This international recognition validates that there are innovative housing solutions that are both climate responsible and economically beneficial. We look forward to replicating this housing solution hundreds of times per year here in British Columbia,” Lewis added.
Here is a link to the Video and Photos.
About Renewal Development
Renewal Development was established in 2020 with a unique vision: to rescue, relocate, and repurpose good single-family homes from growing urban areas to non-urban communities. Breaking new ground with our innovative approach, Renewal has introduced a revolutionary business model to the housing industry.
Media Contact:
Robin Gill
Communications Consultant
About shíshálh Nation
The shíshálh Nation is a governing entity dedicated to stewarding and protecting the relationship between our shíshálh people and the lands and resources of our swiya (birthplace, land, “territory”). We carry out this work in ways that enhance our way of life, promote self-sufficiency, and uphold our customary laws, Rights and Titles, international legal standards and common law. The swiya of the shíshálh people lies between Queens Reach in lekw’emin (Jervis Inlet) and Howe Sound on the south coast of British Columbia. The shíshálh people come from four main tribes: sxixus (with main village at kalpilin), ts’unay (with main village at ts’unay), xenichen (with main village at the head of lekw’emin), and tewankw (with main village at slhalt).
Media Contact:
Nancy Shields
Communications Manager
shishalhcommunications@shishalh.com
About Wesgroup
Wesgroup is one of Western Canada’s largest home builders. From master-planned communities to commercial spaces and town centres, we develop, build, own and manage premier commercial and residential properties that set new standards in quality, user experience and environmental responsibility. We are a vertically integrated company that encompasses construction, land acquisition, finance, design, leasing, marketing, sales and property management. Our mission is to connect people with genuine opportunities that enrich their daily lives. Since our founding almost 70 years ago, we have created more than 100 communities across the Lower Mainland. www.wesgroup.ca
Media Contact:
Georgie Couling
Communications Manager