NH Architects: New Hire

Welcome to Jessica Cook, Bonin Architects' new Intern Architect!  Jessica grew up in Danbury, NH and comes back to the Lake Sunapee region from Martha's Vineyard where she worked at a prestigious architectural firm for the past four years.

Jessica received her Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies and her Masters degree in Architecture from Norwich University and has a background in graphic design and conceptual art.  She has a well rounded knowledge of architectural science and practice and takes a sustainable design approach to every project. Jessica is comfortable working independently and with the Bonin Architects team in every phase of design and construction.

NOTE:  An "intern architect" is a graduate who is working toward licensure (which includes seven exams).

The Future of Green Building

For leaders of the green building industry, standards are weaved throughout the mission of the company. The leaders in green building and sustainable construction have been incorporating green components into their designs for years, before the green building movement emerged on the scene.

Construction Digital spoke with experts from McCarthy Building Companies, GreenStreet and Bonin Architects and Associates to discover the latest trends in green building, the factors driving sustainability and the effect that green building has on the overall construction industry in an article titled "The Leaders Shaping the Expansion of Green Building".



Look for the full article at Construction Digital online.

Architect Services: Site Assessment

Site assessments by an architect are useful for many reasons: The architect:

     1. Reviews the condition and characteristics of the site;
 
     2. Analyzes the site location, driveway access, and makes notes about views;


     3. Studies and notes the solar access, prevailing winds, vegetation and natural features;


     4. Considers any special considerations (Shoreland Protection, land use, etc.)

If you own land and are planning to build a home in the Dartmouth Lake Sunapee region, contact Bonin Architects for a free one-hour consultation in our office or at your site to answer any questions your might have about the design and building process.

Or, attend our next Open House and Q&A with local green building experts on Saturday, September 18th at a Lake Sunapee custom home. For more details, look for our upcoming events.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Construction & Demolition Materials

If you are planning a construction or remodeling project, there are a number of things you can do before you start:



     1.  Contact your local builder's association, your county solid waste department, or your state environmental agency. They will provide information on recyclers and waste haulers in your area.


     2.  Consider whether deconstruction techniques can be used to prepare your site for renovation or construction. In some communities, deconstruction auctions are being effectively used to move building materials into the reuse market.


     3.  Check with local salvagers before purchasing new products. You might be surprised to find that many of them offer cabinets, doors, windows, and flooring that are in good condition for greatly reduced prices.


     4.  Reuse, and Recycling of Demolition Waste (PDF). This document can assist users in determining the most feasible methods for reducing C&D debris being disposed of in landfills.


     5.  Donate the C&D materials that you are not planning to use to a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.

     6.  Consult the Field Guide for Residential Remodelers. This field guide prepared by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center provides remodelers with information on cost-effective and voluntary construction waste management. The Remodeler's Field Guide addresses the unique aspects of remodeling, including differences in waste generation and site and work characteristics.

          Introduction (PDF)

          Remodeler's Field Guide (PDF)

  7.  To reduce lead hazards check EPA resources on Remodeling or Renovating a Home with Lead-Based Paint.

Source: www.epa.gov

ENERGY STAR Home

Any home three stories or less can earn the ENERGY STAR label if it has been verified to meet EPA's guidelines.

Energy Star Homes are typically 20-30% more energy efficient than standard homes – why?  Energy Star homes incorporate these eco friendly features:

1. Effective Insulation
2. High-Performance Windows
3. Tight Construction and Ducts
4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
5. Efficient Products
6. Third-Party Verification

The benefits of building an energy efficient home are plenty:

LOWER OWNERSHIP COST
Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings.

Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be substantial. Financing your home purchase using an energy efficient mortgage can also lead to savings.

BETTER PERFORMANCE
Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. An energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.

SMART INVESTMENT
To date, more than 8,500 home builders have partnered with EPA to construct more than 1 million ENERGY STAR qualified homes. The trend is clear. By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR label, you can be confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car? In fact, 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide.

Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.

Source:  energystar.gov

Events: Things To Do

Don't miss the 3rd Annual Lakeside Living Expo this weekend at the Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, New Hampshire.  Gilford is located on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee, less than 90 minutes away from Boston and the seacoast!

This is the largest Lifestyle Show in New England with over 250 exhibitors in lodges and tents!  Bonin Architects will be exhibiting in Booth #75 in the Lake Winnipesaukee Tent.  Be sure to stop by to say hello! 

Lakeside Living Expo

Gunstock Mountain Resort, Gilford, NH

July 16-18, 2010

Friday 11-7; Saturday 10-6; Sunday 10-4

Seminars: 1:00 PM each day

While you're there, be sure to sit in on a Seminar on Green Home Design Considerations by NH Architect Jeremy Bonin.  Seminars will be presented all three days at 1:00 PM in the Seminar Room.

The Lakeside Living Expo celebrates lake homes, adirondack furniture & decor, boats and outdoor water sports adventure.  There is something for everyone at this show!

If you are planning to build a new lakefront home or cottage, remodel your existing home on the lake, or add living space with a home addition, one of your first stops should be Bonin Architects' booth!  Kimberly and Jeremy Bonin will answer your questions regarding the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act, building costs, renewable energy (solar and geothermal), and more!

See you there!

Lake Sunapee Open House with Q&A July 10th

It's not too late to register to attend our Free Open House Tour at a custom home near Sunapee Harbor on Lake Sunapee, NH!  Here are the particulars:

Saturday, July 10, 2010

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Custom Home near Lake Sunapee

Whether you're a local or are visiting and thinking of owning a summer home on the Lake, if you are building a new home, adding square footage with an addition, or remodeling a lakefront home or cottage, get answers to your specific questions at this unique Open House! 

Q&A with Green Building Experts
Ask your questions to a local green architect, builder, and realtor!

NH Architect Jeremy Bonin, Custom Homebuilder Everett Pollard, and Local Realtor Dan O'Halloran answer your questions about the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act guidelines (CSPA) and how they may impact your anticipated home design, green building products and cost, reasonable time frames for designing and building a custom home, and more!  Your questions direct the discussion.

Directions to the Custom Home are given to registrants only!

To register, call 603-504-6009

The heat wave will take a break just in time for the weekend!  Sunapee weather for Saturday predicts a high of 79* and a 50% chance of a scattered thunderstorm or two - the perfect weather for being inside enjoying a home tour!  You'll have plenty of time to catch the fireworks in Newbury at the town's Old Home Day after the Open House!