Homes offer regenerative approach, sustainable lifestyle in Squamish
‘We’re trying to focus on building homes that our future world needs.’
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Published Jun 26, 2025
Last updated 6 days ago
3 minute read
By moving an hour north of inner-city Vancouver to Squamish, Dan Dale and Fiona Francis gained near-instant access to their favourite climbing areas, bike trails and the pristine waters of Howe Sound. They made the shift in 2021 when Dale, an environmental economist and Francis, a marine biologist, adopted a hybrid work model. After four years of renting a condo, the couple have committed to living in the community of 30,000 people and have purchased a home that aligns with their values and honours the sensitive environment in which they live.
Chickadee Lane by ReGen Homes is a small development of just eight townhomes on Wilson Cres. near downtown Squamish. Each three-storey unit is not technically built to net zero criteria, but to zero emission Built Green Platinum standard, the highest there is. Each home has six solar panels, a heat pump and is powered only by electricity.
“The environmental features are important to us but other things we value are location and lifestyle,” says Dale. Francis agrees, noting that their rented condo on the north end of town was isolated.
“We love living in Squamish, but we’ve missed that cosmopolitan vibe of Vancouver. Chickadee Lane puts us closer to downtown. It will be an urban lifestyle without the urban density and not having to hop in our car all time will be nice,” she says.
The builder, ReGen Homes, is local and was founded by B.C. native Cameron Cope who brings his love of the province’s ecology to every project. His childhood on Salt Spring Island, his introduction to Squamish in 2011 and employment as a carpenter informed the manner in which ReGen homes are constructed.
“In 2019 I incorporated ReGen with the belief we could build homes that have a positive impact on climate and biodiversity and also play a role in regenerating the planet. We’re trying to focus on building homes that our future world needs. It’s a large, holistic approach to building,” Cope explains.
Chickadee Lane is one of three multi-family projects that ReGen has done in the area. There is one 1,189 square foot floor plan with three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a double garage with nine-foot high ceilings and eight-foot garage doors, an important feature for Squamish homebuyers who typically need that height for trucks and ski racks.
Cope’s regenerative approach begins with site selection. Each project is an infill development in a walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented neighbourhood. If people live in the most energy efficient home possible, but are driving everywhere, that’s not a sustainable lifestyle, he says.
Each zero-emission home, which means there is zero fossil fuel used in its operation, is equipped with extra insulation, triple-pane windows, rooftop solar array and a heat pump — all the latest technology employed in net zero homes. These are the type of homes that are the way of the future but are often out of financial reach for many homebuyers.
“For a sustainable home you generally need to pay big bucks on a custom, single-family home and that’s not for everyone. We’re trying to make that technology and type of living available to more people,” he says.
Low VOC paint and materials and high-quality plywood products manufactured locally to reduce emissions created by shipping are other key features.
Cope’s philosophy is that long-lasting quality materials won’t need to be replaced, keeping waste out of the landfill.
“We’re doing all the upgrades at the beginning, so people don’t feel like they need to throw things out,” Cope says
Landscaping to increase insect or bird habitat and biodiversity in the urban environment is integral to regenerative development. Bird houses, garden boxes and a green space are part of the package.
Sales are currently by appointment only with a show home scheduled to open this weekend.
Project Scope: Chickadee Lane is a small development on Wilson Cres. in Squamish. It’s comprised of eight three-storey townhomes with garden boxes at the front door and communal green space at the back. The 1,189 square foot homes have three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and eight-foot garage doors. The homes are zero emission built to Built Green Platinum standards.
Builder: ReGen Homes
Architect/Designer: Method Design Group, Abbotsford
Prices: Starting at $999,000
Sales information: Contact ReGen for information or visit the June 28 open house from 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm..
Sales contact:[email protected]
Website: regen.homes
