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Partner Linda LaCroix presented “Sustainable Building – Our Building Future” to attendees of the 2012 HBRA-SV Home Show, held March 24th at Rutland’s Spartan Arena. The seminar explores our understanding of sustainability, and what it means to consumers.

As the percentage of people interested in sustainability when considering building or renovation/restoration projects grows, so does the confusion surrounding the meaning, methods, and science behind sustainable practice. When asked the question, “What does sustainability mean to you?”, respondents give myriad answers that tend to focus on specific aspects of the sustainable concept that are related to their unique worldview, motivations, and preconceptions. This seminar looks at what sustainability really means, in both the global sense, and specifically with respect to sustainable building.

Click here for a full text version of “Sustainable Building – Our Building Future” seminar materials. Check back soon for a Powerpoint video version to be posted on Aspen’s website in the coming month.

Taught by noted building science guru Peter Yost, participants in the course were presented with critical building science approaches to managing the four critical areas to successful building envelope design: water, air, thermal, and vapor profile. Each came with a set of unique challenges from individual projects that were examined by the class.

Participants in this course, and one before it presented this past winter, will continue their inquiry as part of a Southern Vermont “Energy Cluster”, the purpose of which is to advance green building in the Southern Vermont region. The Energy Cluster is an extension of the SWITCH program advancing sustainable building science across nations. The group will meet throughout the year to continue discussions on best practices in construction sustainability.

The unexpected can happen, as we all learned up here in the beautiful green mountains of Vermont. Our rivers overflowed and came tumbling down the steeps to inundate our land and homes, and wreak havoc for residents, some of whom lost everything. Vermonters came together as they always do, and made the best of a tragic situation for many. Roads and bridges were rebuilt in record time, and we set about the task of helping neighbors recover what they could of their homes and businesses affected, and in some cases swept entirely away, but the raging floods from tropical storm Irene.

Linda writes about a workshop she attended in the aftermath of all the devastation, where she learned of new efforts in river management and building engineering that can, if heeded, go a long way in protecting Vermonters from the wrath of the next 100 year flood.

Read about what can be done, and look to find information from the experts who can help us prepare for the impossible. Click here for the full story.

Built in 1998-1999 after a fire destroyed the original building, the LaCroix family home and separate offices for Aspen Construction Services was designed in the tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright. The offices are based on the front of the Ward Willits House in Oak Park – a much larger home that nonetheless provided the inspiration for the 1,200 square foot structure with large overhangs, hip roof, and vertical windows found in the Oak Park residence.

The main house, which mimics the office structure, was sited on the north-south access to afford access to all points of light through a series of 85 vertical windows. Inside, both structures boast native Vermont materials, high ceilings, and design details pulled from Wright’s work, as well as art deco and Victorian elements of the period.

Click here for the full text of the article.

Each entry was viewed anonymously by a panel of judges who were given a set of criteria with which to make their decisions. Judges were: Mary Cohen, Berkley Veller & Greene and NeighborWorks of Western Vermont; Mike Coppinger, Downtown Rutland Partnership; Tom Donahue, Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce; Ron Ryan, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont.

We are proud to announce that: Aspen Construction Services of Bondville won in the categories of:
Best Bath;
Best Landscaping;
Best Feature;
and Best Marketing Piece.

The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Southern Vermont is an organization of builders, suppliers, and associated businesses whose main purpose is to support and educate the building industry, the community and itʼs members. Monthly membership dinner meetings are held with featured speakers on the second Wednesday of each month, and those interested in the presentation or those who would like to learn more about the association are encouraged to attend.

Also available to the public is a FREE Membership Directory & Buyerʼs Guide which lists members by category for ease of finding a business to help with building a new home, remodeling, finding an appliance or building materials, locating a fuel company, insurance needs, and more. Mark your calendars for our 15th Annual Home & Recreation Show from 9am to 3pm on March 24th at the Spartan Arena, behind the Diamond Run Mall in Rutland, VT. Website is www.cvthomebuilders.com For more information about the association, upcoming meetings, to request a directory, or to find about how to apply and participate in events and programs, please call the HBRA-SV office at (802)773-0672 or email cvthomebuilders@yahoo.com.

Sherri Birkheimer Rooker (802)775-8836

Please visit Carolyn Bates Photography website to learn about this unique and extremely talented photographer. Carolyn’s work and expertise covers a multitude of fields from photo journalism to portrait photography.

Click to read the full press release and to learn more about Version 3 Energy Star Homes.

In this article, Linda outlines what it means to be a good project manager, utilizing the acrostic device in answer to the question “How do you spell good project management?” … Answer? D-E-T-A-I-L-S!

Click here for a full reprint of the article as it appears in the December 2011 edition of Vermont B/A. We welcome your comments and feedback!