An on-going series of redevelopments allowing for creativity in building and construction, innovation in agriculture and exploration of sustainable practices
Goal and Approach:
Wishart, Saskatchewan
The work in Wishart is a passion project for SED founder Jason Nelson. Growing up, Wishart was a vibrant farming community that had been home to generations of families, including his own. In recent years, Wishart, like many rural communities, has seen a decline in population as people left to be closer to urban centres. Local businesses and services soon followed.
Where most people saw just another depressed prairie town, Jason saw an opportunity. Wishart had cheap property, a central location relative to Saskatchewan, Canada and the Northern U.S. states, and plenty of room to grow. He began to visualize a creative and agricultural community where people could come together to share their knowledge and ideas. He saw the potential for a regional hub of industry, processing and agriculture. A way to bring life back to his hometown.
The Wishart Project is an on-going series of redevelopments allowing for creativity in building and construction, innovation in agriculture and exploration of sustainable practices.
Over the years a number of properties have been re-imagined and a revitalization plan continues to develop. Among the projects are restoration of the old school, once again becoming a learning centre, the former Rural Municipality Office that will become a bed and breakfast, and several houses that will be restored and rented out for affordable housing.
The project is ongoing and continues to evolve. From tiny homes for workers, accommodations for hunters, to a large landscape development plan that will showcase gardens, orchards, and a natural swimming pond, Jason’s passion for his home is expressed through this living lab.
Methods and Materials:
Upcycled materials
Reusing materials between spaces and projects is a common practice for SED and the results are not only good for the environment but also very aesthetically pleasing. During interior demolition projects, materials are carefully removed and reused elsewhere.
Restoration of old buildings
A careful assessment is performed before each project begins to determine what its purpose could be before a design and action plan are created to begin the transformation process.
Natural and non toxic products
SED strives to use natural and non toxic materials wherever possible. This includes cork coating finishes that are both design friendly and have high thermal insulating properties. Clay plaster finishes on walls and floors, sculpting spaces with natural hydraulic lime plasters and an ancient Moroccan finishing technique called Tadelakt.
Creative Renovations
These are a series of creative renovation projects that explore a more artistic approach while also testing the performance and functionality of natural products while combining them with modern building techniques.
