Small Living Company

04/06/2026

Esprit de Corps attended the Netherlands Embassy's Hail & Farewell reception in Ottawa, celebrating the retirement of Captain (Ret'd) Wendy Sewell and welcoming Maaike Kriellaars. The evening's highlight was Sewell receiving the Order of the King of the Netherlands for her exceptional service to

13/05/2026

This is the warehouse where we build our homes.

With the space behind us, we’re capable of producing one unit per day.

It’s incredible how much output can come from this building.

13/05/2026

Canada’s housing industry is starting to shift.

For a long time, alternative housing was looked at as some niche idea. Something temporary. Something unrealistic.

Now we’re seeing municipalities, developers, veterans groups, and everyday Canadians all looking at the same issue:

Traditional housing is becoming harder and harder to access.

Not because people don’t work hard enough.
Because the costs, timelines, and infrastructure requirements keep climbing.

That’s why you’re starting to hear more conversations around:
- modular housing,
- backyard suites,
- deployable housing,
- and self-sustaining systems.

Not as a trend.
As an actual solution.

The interesting part is that the conversation is moving beyond “tiny homes.”

It’s becoming about creating housing systems that can realistically be deployed faster, adapted to different environments, and made more accessible for Canadians.

There’s still a long way to go with zoning, financing, and infrastructure, but the conversation today looks very different than it did even a few years ago.

And personally, I think that’s a good thing.

09/05/2026

Small Living Co was recently mentioned in a piece by Esprit de Corps Magazine discussing one of the most overlooked challenges in Canada’s Arctic and northern strategy: housing.

As Canada continues investing in Arctic sovereignty, NORAD modernization, northern infrastructure, and operational readiness, one critical issue continues to sit underneath all of it — the ability to sustainably support the people operating there.

At Small Living Co, our focus has always been larger than “tiny homes.” We focus on deployable, self-sustaining housing systems designed for rapid deployment, harsh climates, and long-term operational flexibility.

The reality is that infrastructure is only as effective as the people who can live and work around it. Whether supporting military personnel, infrastructure crews, emergency response teams, RCMP, or remote operations, housing cannot be treated as a secondary issue.

It’s encouraging to see this conversation beginning to happen more openly at a national level. Canada’s northern future will require new ways of thinking about infrastructure, deployment, and sustainment.

https://youtu.be/dNMXyL3hpuc?si=lO9Fpwqzq--k36Lh

Over the next decades the Canadian military is set to spend a boatload of money to increase our defence presence in the high Arctic. The question begs where ...

01/04/2026

Would you add a tiny home to your property?

Call it an in-law suite, a guest house, whatever you want—but adding one doesn’t just give you more space…

It gives you the opportunity to generate income right from your own backyard.

23/03/2026

08/03/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up for yesterday’s presentation.

What began as a presentation quickly turned into a powerful conversation. The room was filled with people from different backgrounds, each bringing ideas, experience, and perspective to the table.

One thing became clear: this is a housing affordability issue.

Indigenous communities need it. Seniors need it. Our kids will need it. Veterans face the same reality.

We also spoke openly about the challenges and rising costs of traditional construction, and how rethinking how housing is built and delivered could remove many of those barriers.

Thank you to everyone who came not just to listen, but to contribute

04/03/2026

Small homes are accelerating.

I came across an article earlier today by Kiri Blakeley on Realtor.com outlining how small-format homes in Texas are selling rapidly — some as compact as 350 square feet.

What stood out wasn’t the size.

It was the pattern.

The same affordability pressure reshaping product size there is happening here. When builders begin compressing square footage at scale, it’s rarely cosmetic. It’s economic.

Canada is facing similar — and in many regions greater — structural housing constraints.

This isn’t about trend cycles. It’s about market response.

Worth paying attention to.

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/tiny-homes-san-antonio-texas-affordability/

Most things might be bigger in Texas, but buyers prioritizing affordability for their starter homes are homing in on a tiny trend.

16/02/2026

Housing is one of the defining challenges facing Canada right now.

Affordability is strained. Supply is constrained. Municipal processes are complex. Delivery timelines are long.

But inside that broader crisis, there are specific groups who deserve focused attention — including the men and women who have served this country.

Veterans should not be navigating housing instability after having provided national stability.

Supporting Veterans does not begin with announcements. It begins with structure — land access, regulatory clarity, funding alignment, operational oversight.

As builders, we understand the constraints. Housing is not a slogan. It is sequencing, capital, approvals, timelines, and accountability.

If properly supported and coordinated, deployable housing systems can play a role in bridging gaps.

But it has to be done correctly.

The conversation is larger than one company or one event. It’s about how we, collectively, design solutions that are durable and respectful

16/02/2026

On Saturday (Feb 7th), Aaron Markel attended the National Flag of Canada Day Dinner at Ottawa City Hall.

The evening was led by Jay Sanko and Natalie Sanko, alongside a fully volunteer-driven team. Sustaining an event of this caliber year after year requires real coordination and care.

The program was thoughtful. The room was full. The tone was respectful.

More than $15,000 was raised in support of Veterans’ House Canada — with every ticket fully covered through sponsorships. That level of backing speaks to the strength of the community behind it.

Events like this matter.

They reinforce connection.
They honour service.
They remind us that support for Veterans does not end when the uniform comes off.

As a company working in housing, we understand that what comes after service matters deeply. Stability, dignity, and long-term support require more than words — they require structure and partnership.

We were proud to be present.

Well done to Jay, Natalie, and the entire organizing team.

We look forward to supporting this effort again next year.