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Building Science: Volume 1, Issue 4

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Building Science: Volume 1, Issue 4
SEON’s Sustainable Energy Outreach Network Newsletter
In this issue
• Message from the Executive Director
Our members in action!
• A Great Cause!
• Meetings & Conferences
• Resources
• Interesting Links
• Job Opportunities
• Welcome New Members
• Thank you, Members
From SEON’s Executive Director

And April brings….
News of SEON Members. Bob Swinburne (architect of Bluetime Collaborative) and Gero Dolfus (Mindel and Morse Builders) were the recipients of Vermont Green Building Network’s 2023 Vermont’s Greenest Residential Building Award for their Sugar Bush House in Putney, VT.

Bob and Gero worked collaboratively to push the envelope and create a very clean and simple construction methodology, utilizing best practices of Building Science, super insulation, and local wood fitting in aesthetically to the property.
Because of the simplicity of the shell, they decided to go for passive house certification. While it didn’t change much of what they were doing, they brought in a PH consultant to help with decisions including windows and equipment.
The Sugar Bush House was on SEON’s Sustainable Home Tour, and a detailed description of the process can be found on SEON’s Home Page. The Sugar Bush House is also featured in Michael Maines’ et al. book Pretty Good House, and was a focus of the presentation of the Pretty Good House session at this year’s Better Building by Design.
Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉 to Bob, Gero and the team of Mindel and Morse Builders.
Visit us on Instagram at @buildingsciencetoday
► SEON’s Water, Air and Thermal Continuous Control Layers at the Windham Regional Career Center’s Architecture and Construction classroom and shop. Contact Guy Payne, guy@buildingscience.org to register. SEON members $350, non-members $400.
Please remember, if you are interested in having a product or service reviewed, please contact me: guy@buildingscience.org.
Guy Payne
Executive Director
Our Members in Action
A Board Member in Action
Jason Van Nest’s LOGIC Building Systems has been recognized by VT Digger as a new startup that “solves a big problem for developers.”
Look what Earthshare Construction is doing. It is Aerobarrier time at their historic shallow Energy retrofit! “The crew has us down to 1.5ACH50 950CFM and still going down!”
The Why and How of a Good Production Process Map.
HELM revolutionizes construction. One of their tools is the Production Process Map that helps mission-aligned firms create good habits and ensure fewer surprises in the production process. Customizing the map for each client empowers everyone involved to weigh in effectively and define success in each role, while regular checkpoints and team support help change company owner’s habits. See how it works.
Hard Up for Topics, the Boys Turn to Concrete – UnBuild It Podcast Episode #81
From environmental footprint and slump tests to value-engineered footings and post-tension slabs, the boys do some solid coverage of concrete in buildings.
Listen/Watch now
Congrats! Excited to share Wright Builders, Inc. news. They were voted “Best Home Builder” and “Best Home Improvement Contractor” by the Advocate Best of the Valley Readers’ Poll 2023.
See the Valley Advocate
A Great Cause!

At SEON, we are proud to share the story of one of our members, Bob Swinburne, who was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma in December 2020. After undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in August 2021, he is now on the road to recovery and plans to participate in The Prouty by taking on the 51 mile gravel bike ride on July 15th. (The Prouty is an event that raises money to make a difference in the fight against cancer.) We are thrilled to support Bob in his efforts and invite you to join us in making a donation towards the cause. Thank you for your compassion and support!
Donate Here!
Meetings & Conferences
► CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL MEETINGS AND EVENTS

HELM’s Lead Carpenter Training
Explore what it means to be a Lead Carpenter – the job description, how to set a project up for success, and how to lead a team.
Date: May 9th AND May 30
Place: OnlineUnity Homes Lunch & Learn

All-Electric Homes & Induction Ranges
Date: May 4th, 12pm
Place: Online

• Visit Yestermorrow Design Build for their on-site classes
yestermorrow.org/learn/courses


• Visit Efficiency Vermont’s website for listing of their upcoming courses. efficiencyvermont.com/events
Resources

Building off an engaging presentation at this year’s BBD on Geothermal Heat Pumps and the tax incentives for nonprofits for geothermal districts, this article in November 2022 on NYC’s Leadership in Geothermal Ground Source Energy provides additional background information about the science and technology.

Building Performance Hubs: Accelerating the High-Performance Transition
Interesting Links

►Yes, we do need to emphasize the need to weatherize the home first!

►Could your next project be built with potatoes and dust? “StarCrete” is made of Martian dust has a compressive strength of 72 megapascals (MPa), which is over twice that of regular concrete.

Vermont farms are going greener thanks to 1 billion dollars being made available nationwide for farms and rural businesses to invest in renewable energy technology.

► Notre-Dame Blaze Reveals First-Of-Its-Kind Iron Skeleton Propping Up Cathedral

► Considering these new, terrifying rocks (plastiglomerates) found recently in Brazil – anyone up for making ecobricks? Plus, look what the MacArthur Foundation is up to, along with more than 1,000 other organizations: our plastic pollution – uniting a vision and 2025 targets for a circular economy for plastic.
Job Opportunities
• Experienced Estimator, Project Manager, Experienced Site Supervisors, Carpenters, Carpenter Helpers, Laborers
All Seasons Construction Corp: Springfield, Vt

• Experienced Carpenter, Weatherization Professional, Energy Auditor, Project Developer
Earthshare Construction: Lebanon, NH

Experienced Carpenter, Working Foreman/Lead Carpenter
GPI Construction, Brattleboro, VT

• Experience Carpenters and General Carpenters
House Wright Construction, Inc., Newbury, VT

• Lead Carpenter and Carpenter
Mathes Hulme Builders, Brattleboro, VT

• Homes Preconstruction Manager, Interior Design Support, Unity Associate
Unity Homes, Walpole, NH

• Insulator Installer
Farnum Insulators,  East Dummerston, VT
Welcome New Members
Green Mountain Enclosure Consulting, llc (Nate Gusakov)
Junio Anthes-Moody
Thank you, Members

All Seasons Construction, Springfield, VT
• Duane Case, Bellows Falls, VT
Efficiency Vermont, Winooski, VT
Farnum Insulators, Dummerston, VT
• Friendly Homes, Brattleboro, VT
GPI Construction, Inc, Brattleboro, VT
HELM Construction Solutions, LLC, Brattleboro, VT
Housewright Construction, Inc, Newbury, VT
Integrated Solar Applications Corp. Brattleboro, VT
JA Saccoccio Workshop PLLC, Brattleboro, VT  
Mindel & Morse Builders, Brattleboro, VT
Owl’s Head Builders, Guilford, VT
Sierra Pacific Windows, Red Bluff, CA
The Wadsworth Company LLC, Jamaica, VT
Wright Builders, Inc, Northampton, MA

Send email to Guy@BuildingScience.org if you have news, ideas or anything else to share
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