These Burnaby home designs were named best of their kind - see them before and after

We've all fantasized about knocking down a wall or two for that walk-in closet or to just "free up" a room, but these Burnaby home improvement designs go far, far beyond that.

The Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) announced the finalists of the 2021 HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence on March 11 via an online trivia game. Presented by FortisBC, the awards are intended to highlight the accomplishments of Metro Vancouver’s homebuilding industry. With categories like new-home construction, renovation and design projects in Metro Vancouver, the awards showcase custom-built homes, laneway homes, townhomes, and condo renovations.

This year, 80 builders have secured 184 finalist awards, and are now vying for the 56 category wins. Now in its 12th year, the awards program selects finalists through a tough judging process by a peer-reviewed panel of award-winning builders, renovators and designers from outside of the region.  

Out of those finalists are four Burnaby-based projects carried out by four separate design teams.

• Best Kitchen Renovation: Under $75,000
  • All In Simple, Llano Developments Inc. 

Before:

These are the Burnaby finalists for the Homebuilders Association Vancouver 2021 Awards for Housing Excellence. By Llano Developments Inc.

After: 

These are the Burnaby finalists for the Homebuilders Association Vancouver 2021 Awards for Housing Excellence. By Llano Developments Inc.

• Best Townhouse/Condominium Renovation: $250,000 and over
  • Bright Bliss, My House Design/Build Team Ltd. 

Before:

These are the Burnaby finalists for the Homebuilders Association Vancouver 2021 Awards for Housing Excellence. By My House Design/Build Team Ltd.

After: 

These are the Burnaby finalists for the Homebuilders Association Vancouver 2021 Awards for Housing Excellence. By My House Design/Build Team Ltd.

• Best Multi-family Lowrise/Highrise Development
  • Triomphe, Millennium Development 

These are the Burnaby finalists for the Homebuilders Association Vancouver 2021 Awards for Housing Excellence. By Millennium Development

• Best Custom Home: Under $1 million
  • Ranelagh, Hara Homes

These are the Burnaby finalists for the Homebuilders Association Vancouver 2021 Awards for Housing Excellence. By Hara Homes

These are the Burnaby finalists for the Homebuilders Association Vancouver 2021 Awards for Housing Excellence. By Hara Homes

Presented by FortisBC, the game entrants were connected with the program’s sponsors and played the chance to win a Natural Gas BBQ, a SKY Helicopters Tour, hosted by Silver Sponsor Trail Appliances, plus gift cards and more. 

A full list of finalists and photos of the projects are available on HAVAN's website. Winners will be announced live online, Friday, April 30.