Refined Magazine: Build Love Renovates “Heart Home” for Regina Family
On November 7, Build Love unveiled a major home renovation for the Kennedy family in Regina. The family was both thrilled and grateful — it was clear that the project was undertaken with love at every step of the way.
Build Love was formed by a group of eight Regina-based entrepreneurs in 2018, with the goal of leading reoccurring annual campaigns for similar renovation projects. The inaugural Build Love home renovation for Jared and Liana Kennedy was completed in two months — at no cost to the family — to improve accessibility for their eight-year-old daughter Vienna. Vienna lives with complex mobility challenges from Arthrogryposis, a congenital muscle syndrome she was born with. She relies on a walker to move around independently.
A University of Regina graduate, Derek Wu co-owns and operates the commercial and residential builder Collaborative Construction with Trevor Anderson. Derek co-founded Build Love with Trevor and his friend and fellow contractor, Brandon Fuchs of Superior FD Contracting.
“When we were originally approached by the Kennedy family about a bathroom renovation, we thought about doing it for free. Then we decided to take the project to the next level and the people we approached with the idea were immediately on board. Everyone involved in Build Love went over and above to create an accessible and beautiful, home for the Kennedy family,” says Derek.
The Kennedy’s existing home was a “concrete slab house with no basement,” describes Derek. Of particular concern were the logistics of Vienna getting from her bedroom to the bathroom independently, given the house’s layout and the small size of its doorways. The Kennedy family stayed with Jared’s family during the renovation.
Together, the Build Love team worked to eliminate structural barriers and improve ease of mobility for Vienna. The goal of the renovation was for the Kennedy’s home to remain functional as Vienna grows through the years. “It was key for us to create independence for Vienna and I think we achieved that. The final result felt like home for the family,” says Derek.
More than 60 tradespeople, contractors and suppliers from Regina’s construction industry provided approximately $350,000 (market value) of labour and building materials for the Build Love project. Plus, 165 individuals joined the Build Love volunteer team to help complete the renovation. The project team was also grateful to receive $15,000 in funding from the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation through an application for funding submitted by Liana Kennedy.
“We’re very eager to start our next project,” says Derek.
Saskatchewan residents are encouraged to join Build Love’s volunteer team, make a cash contribution or choose Build Love as a recipient for their company’s community investment program.
Source: Refined Magazine
