NH Lakefront Cottage Renovation

One of our recently completed projects is the renovation of a lakefront cottage on Pleasant Lake, New London, New Hampshire.

The property was subdivided and had originally had two cabins on it. A cabin on “The Point” was torn down to open up the lake view from the other cottage. Some of its materials were salvaged for use in the main cottage renovation.

The new cottage serves as a three-season entertainment area for family and friends with lakeside access and wonderful seasonal views.

Master Planning of the lot for a future primary residence was also completed, accounting for CSPA lot coverage, setbacks and storm water management.

Photos by Great Island Photography, LLC

Lake Sunapee Home

One of our latest designs is a Lake Sunapee home  for an older couple, their children, and grandchildren.  The cottage style home fits in nicely with the architecture around the lake.

Goals of the home are energy efficiency, one floor living for the parents, and well-designed common and private areas for each family.

The project is in the design development stage, where we determine spatial requirements and accurate dimensions for rooms and areas, as well as outdoor space for entertaining.  Broad material choices are being made in this stage of the home design.  One or more meetings will be dedicated solely to the kitchen design to choose appliances and their location, cabinets, flooring, counters, and special requirements for the owners.

Kim Bonin, Bonin Architects, Receives BNI Award

September 16, 2010:

Kimberly Bonin, of Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC, New London, was named the Member of the Year of the Lake Sunapee Region Business Network International Chapter.



The Member of the Year Award recognizes a BNI member for their attitude, attendance, quality of referrals, and contribution to the growth of the chapter. Bonin was presented with the award at the BNI Regional Conference awards dinner in Portsmouth. Almost 200 members were present to honor directors and members from New Hampshire, Maine, and Western Massachusetts at the Regional Conference.


"Kim was selected unanimously by the members for this recognition and we congratulate her on this most deserved honor. By developing meaningful relationships with our local quality business professionals, she has earned the distinction of passing the most referrals which generated much valuable business to chapter members in a stalled economy. These relationships have proven to be a real asset to us all as she has successfully matched the wants and needs of her clients and friends with skilled professional vendors who have excellent reputations in the community,” said Deane Geddes, of Country Houses Real Estate and President of the Lake Sunapee Region BNI Chapter.


About Kimberly Bonin:


Kimberly Bonin is a Principal Partner and Project Manager of Bonin Architects & Associates, a national architectural firm licensed in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. In addition to the Lake Sunapee Region BNI where she serves as a Visitor Host, Kim is a member of the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce, the Timber Framers Guild, and ParentLinks, a support group for parents who have children with Autism or Social Cognitive Issues.


About BNI


Started in January 1985 by Dr. Ivan R. Misner, Founder & CEO of Business Network International., BNI provides a positive, supportive, and structured environment for men and women to further their business through word of mouth marketing.


Photo: Deb Johnson, Ledyard National Bank; Jeremy Bonin & Kimberly Bonin, Bonin Architects; Cathy Murray, Ledyard National Bank; Jackie Lampiasi, Bonin Architects

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