Building Science: Volume 3, Issue 6

In this issue

• Message from the Executive Director
• Future-Proof Your Building Company
• Värm Home Tour
• Historic Renovation
• Our Members – In Action
• Interesting Links
• Events
• Thank You, Members

From SEON’s Executive Director

It’s June!

This month, you’ll find my thoughts on cultivating a more dynamic and growth-oriented company culture in my article about Learning Organizations: Future-Proof Your Building Company. I believe these insights offer practical strategies for tackling our current workforce challenges, and I’ll be developing more blog posts on these concepts in the hopes of fostering a more resilient and thriving building community in Vermont. (Read more below.)

A Milestone for a SEON Member
I couldn’t be prouder to share some truly remarkable news about one of SEON’s bedrock members: Integrated Solar Applications (ISA) in Brattleboro is celebrating its 50th anniversary! Imagine that – fifty years of dedicated innovation in sustainable energy. From Alain Ratheau’s pioneering vision in 1975 to Andrew Cay’s leadership, ISA has not just survived but thrived, adapting to immense technological shifts and consistently delivering cutting-edge solutions. They’ve built a team with critical expertise and a relentless customer focus, undertaking massive commercial projects that truly exemplify what’s possible here in Vermont. ISA’s journey is a powerful testament to the enduring impact of local businesses driving our clean energy future. They are the epitome of the sustainable building we champion, constantly evolving and setting the bar high. Join us in celebrating their incredible legacy and taking advantage of their special anniversary offer! Read more in our blog post.

Welcoming Northshire Living to SEON

Welcome to Northshire Living! We’re excited to have you join SEON. Your full-service approach to design, build, and interiors, specializing in beautiful, high-performance kitchens and baths, makes you a fantastic addition to our community. We look forward to collaborating and advancing sustainable building together.

Future-Proof Your Building Company

Tired of the skilled labor shortage? Feel like the old ways aren’t cutting it?

Vermont’s building industry faces real challenges: a shrinking applicant pool, a shift in workforce perception, and resistance to embracing new methods. But what if you could cultivate a team that’s not just skilled, but hungry to learn and grow? Peter Senge’s “Learning Organizations” offer a powerful path forward – a way to unlock your team’s innate desire for purpose and development. Imagine a company where innovation thrives and your people are your greatest asset. Ready to discover the secret to attracting and retaining top talent, and building a truly resilient business? Read on to explore how the principles of a Learning Organization can transform your company from the ground up.

► Read more here!

Historic Renovation

Historic Restoration
Tim Lillis is busy renovating the historic and dilapidated old Hersh garage for the Westminster West community.

► See more by Tim Lillis, Builder

Värm Home Tour

Time to experience a Värm home plan firsthand

Mark June 21st for a home tour in Center Barnstead, New Hampshire and explore this 2,292-square-foot Unity home featuring 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a walk-out basement, and a beautiful, screened porch overlooking Halfmoon Lake.

► Register Here!

Our Members – In Action

Our Members – In Action: Videos

Interesting Links

• ► Buildings That Change Color! Joe Doucet’s Climate Paint Explained
• ► A 85,000 sq ft lodge will replace two existing ski lodges – the project team is navigating strict state regulations and difficult site grading on one of the largest developments in Vermont history

• ► This company will build Vermont’s largest battery energy storage system (BESS) project..

Click below to read more Interesting Links & Events

• ► How energy modeling can set you up for success. Energy modeling uses algorithms, material science, and anticipated climate conditions to provide an accurate and manipulatable picture of a building’s expected performance.

• ► It is the bicentennial of a building that has been the centerpiece of life at UVM for generations—Old Mill.

• ► Leahy BTV, ranked fifth best small airport by USA Today, is Vermont’s Green Gateway, prioritizing both travel enjoyment and environmental care.

• ► Podcast: Energy and Efficiency is all about building science, architecture, and good technology – but it’s even bigger than you think.

• ► Vermont’s housing crisis – why housing and transportation must be addressed together. Here’s how Vermont can move forward:

Events

Beyond R-Value

June 19: Dive into everything you need to know about working with TimberBatt. From performance attributes to applications across residential, light commercial, and multifamily construction, this webinar covers the performance and versatility of our wood fiber batt insulation—especially its thermal and acoustic advantages. And see TimberBatt in action during a live installation demo, complete with best practices, knife demos, cutting and detailing and tips from the field. Stick around for live Q&A—we’re here to help you get the most out of your next install.
Location: ZOOM: Register here to secure your spot

2025 Vermont Forest Industry Summit

June 19 – Bolton Valley Resort, Bolton Vermont

Summit! Keynote speaker Alan Organschi, a global thought leader on sustainable building and mass timber.

HELM Meet-Up
Collaborate with colleagues across the country to host casual, fun, and free meet-ups for women, trans, & non-binary folks in construction and the trades. Join HELM to connect, share experiences, and build a supportive community.

June 24 – Waitsfield, VT

Time: 5:00-7:00pm

Should Passive House be a New Multifamily Reach Goal for Vermont?
VT Passive House (VTPH), Webinar presented by Karen Bushey – Efficiency Vermont
June 26 – ZOOM
(Meeting ID: 889 0452 0850, Passcode: 710361)

Time: 12pm – 1pm

Thank you, Members

• 475 High Performance Building Supply – Nationwide

• All Seasons Construction Corp – Springfield, VT

• Andrew Dey (individual owner) – Walpole, NH

• Apple Tree Builders – Southern, VT

• Bluetime Collaborative – Brattleboro, VT

• Bob Rueter Foundation (individual owner) – Turners Falls, MA

• Building-Wright – Northhampton, MA

• Delta Energy Works (DEW) – Heat Pump Systems – Brattleboro, VT

• Duane Case (individual owner) – Bellows Falls, VT

• Earthshare Construction – Lebanon, NH

• Efficiency Vermont – Winooski, VT

• Farnum Insulators – Dummerston, VT

• Friends of the Sun – Brattleboro, VT

• GPI Construction – Brattleboro, VT

• HELM Construction Solutions – Brattleboro and Montpelier, VT

• HempStone, LLC – Hatfield, MA

• Integrated Solar Applications Corporation (“ISA”) – Brattleboro, VT

• JA Saccoccio Workshop, PLLC – Brattleboro, VT

• Junio Anthes-Moody (individual owner) – Vermont

• Mathes Hulme Builders – Brattleboro, VT

• Mindel & Morse Builders – Brattleboro, VT

• Nate Gusakov (individual owner) – Vermont

• Northshire Living – Manchester City, VT

• Owl’s Head Builders – Guilford, VT

• SEED Design / Build – West Townshend, VT

• Shelterwood – Waitsfield, VT

• Sierra Pacific Windows – Nationwide

• Snowdog Construction – Norwich, VT

• Steve Sebastian (individual owner) – Vermont

• Sustainable Design – Dorset, VT

• Tim Lillis Builder – Bellows Falls, VT

• Tom McLoughlin (individual owner) – Brattleboro, VT

• Unity Homes – Walpole, NH

• VSECU – Brattleboro, VT

• Wadsworth Design | Build – Stratton, Mount Snow & Okemo, VT

• Windham Regional Career Center – Brattleboro, VT

• Wright Builders – Durham, NH

• WW Building Supply – Newfane, VT