Restoration Over Rebuilding: Preserving Design, Reducing Impact on the West Coast – 2026.09.26

Meme Brooks is the founder of Meme Brooks Design, a Vancouver-based studio known for thoughtful restoration work, staging and styling. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in transforming mid-century modern homes through design-led renovations that preserve character while introducing modern function and warmth. Meme is passionate about restoration over rebuild, helping clients reimagine existing spaces in ways that are both beautiful and deeply livable.

Laura Carey has worked in the arts and culture non profit sector since 2009. Their professional experiences include the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Gallery of BCCeramics, Potters Guild of BC, Circle Craft market, Terminal City Glass Co-op, and PoMoArts. Arriving in Vancouver in 2012, Laura began working on Granville Island, and her interest began to focus on the intersection between arts & culture and urban design. Prior to starting as the Executive Director of Vancouver Heritage Foundation in spring 2023, Laura served on the Vancouver City Planning Commission and the Project for Public Spaces Placemaking Leadership Council. Laura has volunteered on the board of directors for the Granville Island Business and Community Association, theJames Black Gallery and the Potters Guild of BC.

Steve Gairns is a Vancouver-based architect and cultural facilitator. He is a co-founder and principal of euoi studio | architecture + design and chair of the West Coast Modern League. Raised on the West Coast and inspired by a modern design ethos, Steve brings a thoughtful, collaborative, and optimistic approach to his work. Together with his partner Chelsea Louise Grant, euoi studio creates homes that blend relaxed modernism and holistic, sustainable design with Canada’s stunning landscapes. Rooted in the principles of West Coast Modernism, their work embraces natural light, celebrates weather, and integrates regional materials in response to the rhythm of the PacificNorthwest’s climate and topography. Their work includes renovations to mid-century modern homes, residential and commercial interiors, single-family custom homes, and multi-family residential projects.

Since 2016, Steve has chaired the West Coast Modern League, an independent non-profit society that advocates for the awareness and appreciation of modern West Coast architecture and the allied arts.

Glyn Lewis is the founder and CEO of Renewal Development, a BC-based companyspecializing in rescuing, relocating and repurposing good homes from growing urbanareas to non-urban communities in need. In the process Renewal seeks to disrupt thedemoltion industry towards highest best use and to prove the possibilities of moresustainable development.