The vision for Regenerative Developments started with Charlie Durrant during travels straight out of high-school back in 2009. On his travels, even while far off the beaten path he would regularly be confronted with the negatives of rapid and poorly thought out development. While he saw how development was necessary to grow the economy and bring people out of poverty, he couldn’t help but feel it could be done in ways that were better for all involved.
While in Australia he discovered the work of Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. Their work was centred around the idea that by closely observing patterns in nature and considering the wisdom of indigenous peoples, we can design, develop, and construct our homes and surroundings in ways that complement our environment and enhance our connection with it. The bonus that, in doing so, we ultimately invoke a superior quality of life; one a little closer to the lifestyles in which we are adapted to as a species.
Further Inspired by parts of the world such as the Mediterranean, Okinawa, Nicoya where people live well and live longer, likely with the help of the ocean, gardening, community, nutrition and exercise; the vision became to help design and build the types of infrastructure that make this lifestyle inevitable.
During his traveling years, he lived in The Dominican Republic for almost 3 years learning, teaching, and applying agroecology and sustainable land management at various ecotourism ventures and non-profit organizations. He also attended conferences and courses such as The International Permaculture Convergence in Cuba, and a Permaculture teacher training in Miami, and took several courses with Gaia University.
Charlie’s passion fully merged with carpentry & contracting upon arrival to British Columbia in the winter of 2014. He flew here with an opportunity to assist in the design and development of a 125 Acre Boat access Wilderness Resort in The Sechelt Inlet. There he first met and worked alongside various skilled contractors many of whom would become big names in construction & development on The Sunshine Coast today. By the time this project had ran its course, Coastal British Columbia had become home. He acknowledges that there may be other places as beautiful, on their day, but there is nowhere more complete, for potential to live long and prosper.
Charlie has since worked with countless skilled tradespeople and a handful of deeply passionate ecological designers. He completed his Red Seal in Carpentry through BCIT & worked for 10 years, predominantly with high-end custom home builders. In this time he learned all the intricacies of ‘Passive House Principles’ and energy efficient home building.
For several years he co-managed a dock maintenance and inspection contract held by Summerhill Fine Homes. This involved thrice annual inspection and maintenance rounds for the 9 Sunshine Coast Regional District with Jake Stanley (Now the owner and operator of Strait Timber – Portable Cedar Saw Mill). He has also spent a season at a run of the river hydro facility with his good friend Kyle Sayler of Arete Technical Services. This involved everything from collecting environmental data, to repairing roads and performing turbine and power house maintenance.
What is Regenerative Developments Today?
Regenerative Developments has become an incorporation that structures the collaboration of skilled carpenters, sub-trades and like spirited individuals passionate about West Coast Living. We are motivated to design, develop, and preserve the stunning and unique properties and surrounding ecosystems that this incredible and unique location offers.
We are big fans of the practicality as well as aesthetics of West Coast Contemporary Architecture, and enjoy building Post & Beam structures, and applying a practical synergy between modern building technologies and natural building methods. We especially like to specialize in indoor-outdoor living spaces, and installing and maintaining native and edible ecosystems.
We aren’t afraid of the challenge of remote & water access only properties, knowing the immense value that these types of properties bring to those who visit them. We enjoy creating rainwater harvesting systems, irrigation, and low maintenance food producing systems. We can also coordinate off grid power generation and storage when required.
Lastly, we provide a much needed service to protect, preserve and restore already developed properties, offering winterizing, summerizing and monthly site inspections for water access properties throughout the stormy winters.
Services
Previous Consulting & Installation Projects
PDF’s
Charlie Durrant- Taino Permaculture Design
These First 2 Videos Summarise Charlie’s work in the Tropics
Testimonials
“Charlie has been doing some consulting for me on my 100-acre farm in the Dominican Republic. He is thoughtful, thorough and responsive. I am a neophyte in the permaculture world and his support has given me confidence in the endeavour. Recommend him highly.” – Jonathon Tomato – Rancho La Americana, previously ‘Finca Cerdo Magico. https://fincacerdomagico.wordpress.com
Regenerative Developments - Habitats For Thriving 