thinkBright Homes: A lighter touch on the planet

These builders use the simplest, most effective technologies to deliver the best home for the best cost

Paul Denchuk and Meredith Hamstead build homes “where we live and play, in the Columbia Valley.” — Tracy Connery Photography photo

Two Invermere entrepreneurs nailed it with their memorable business name—thinkBright Homes. The words conjure up pleasant images of a beautifully designed home with sunshine streaming into windows, warming the owners and the glossy wood surfaces.

But the name thinkBright Homes is also a clear homage to the high environmental standards of these buildings. Owners Paul Denchuk and Meredith Hamstead started their business in 2004 with a clear-cut focus on creating residential and commercial buildings to the highest environmentally responsible construction standards.

“For us, being ‘green’ is the only option,” said Denchuk, a journeyman carpenter for over 20 years. “Everybody deserves to live in a quality home. And we only have one planet. All new construction simply has to leave a gentler legacy for our planet, our communities and our clients’ pocketbooks.”

Year-round thermal comfort, energy efficiency and good indoor air quality are provided by thinkBright Homes. “We achieve this with a super-insulated, air-tight building envelope; extremely energy-efficient heating, cooling and fresh-air systems; and European-quality windows and doors,” Denchuk said.

“For a very modest building premium, thoughtful design and construction improve each home’s multi-generational legacy with measurably lower energy costs, higher comfort and lower environmental impact.”

All of their buildings include third-party testing, auditing and certification, including Net Zero, Passive House and/or BC Energy Step Code levels 4 and 5.

With a dedicated crew of seven who shares the owners’ passion, thinkBright Homes also undertakes major renovations.

“As hands-on owners of a consciously progressive company, we are on site to attend to the details that make the difference in service and product,” Hamstead said. “We avoid the use of plastics and toxic materials, deferring to sustainable materials that deliver high quality, performance and esthetics.”

The company is committed to staying up to date on green building technologies by taking trainings and by networking both locally and internationally. Hamstead, who has a master’s degree in Environmental Design, recently returned from a Passive House conference in Germany.

“We stay at the front of the curve on the simplest, most effective strategies and emerging technologies to deliver the best home for the best cost,” said Hamstead.