Building Science: Volume 1, Issue 7

SEON’s Sustainable Energy Outreach Network Newsletter

Building Science: Volume 1, Issue 7
SEON’s Sustainable Energy Outreach Network Newsletter

BUILDING SCIENCE NEWS: Important Hike*-A-Thon, Enter these Competitions, Hydrogen Rooftops and more

In this issue

Message from the Executive Director
Our Members in Action
SEON Social Media
Interesting Links:
- hydrogen generated on rooftops
- time to go all in on heat pumps
- 5 best solar companies in Vermont
- a new high-performance insulation spray polyurethane foam
- woodstove owners deserve clarity
- and more
Competitions for Architects and Construction
Resources
Meetings & Conferences
Job Opportunities
Thank you, Members

From SEON’s Executive Director

We are in the heart of July and SEON has been busy – working for you, our mighty members.

We are ramping up our efforts to ensure SEON’s is expanding its efforts to keep our cause and our professionals front and center. We continue to up our social media marketing campaign, growing our audience with mindful and informative content. I’ve started scheduling our basics of high-performance building fall classes. And next month the Board will be meeting at the Building Green offices (thank you, BG) for an annual retreat where our theme will be “How to ensure SEON’s financial stability.“

Finally, I would like to bring your attention to the important work being done by one of our members, Helm Construction Solutions. We are proud to support their second annual HELM Hike*-a-thon, an event aimed at benefiting their Solidarity Scholarship Fund. This fund enables HELM to provide free or discounted consulting and training services to underrepresented communities in the construction and design industry, specifically BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and women-owned companies. SEON will be donating $200 to the event and we would like to ask you to hike* and donate, too. Rally your friends and family to sponsor each mile of your hike*. Or consider forming a team to turn this event into a fun company activity! Prizes will be awarded to the top three fundraisers. SEON will donate an extra $10 for every SEON member/SEON company who participates (let us know). Please consider joining this great cause.

One more thing. Google searches are fluid, but with our massive marketing campaign, we’ve now managed to make the top ten spot for those doing a search for high-performance homes in Vermont.

Onward! And until August.

Guy Payne
Executive Director

Our Members in Action

475 High Performance Building Supply Video on TikTok

One of the hardest parts to properly make a house airtight is making the air control layer absolutely continuous: to go around the drawing and through every detail without picking up the red pen. This is especially true at the 3 dimensional connections of inside corners, which don’t necessarily announce themselves in 2 dimensional drawings.

At an inside corner, where three airtight components are coming together is tricky because it is awkward to get tape to adhere effectively. However simple you detail your building, these corners will occur at your windows and will need to be dealt with. See more on TikTok!

Unity Homes and a Durable Non-Toxic Wood Finish on Instagram

Who knew that whey protein, a byproduct of cheese making, could be used as a beautiful and durable non-toxic wood finish? We use a number of @vermontnaturalcoatings.
PolyWhey finishes and stains, an ingenious way of utilizing whey proteins to replace the toxic ingredients traditionally found in wood finish. The result is a naturally durable, lasting and easy-to-use finish that meets the industry’s highest performance and environmental standards—without the disadvantages of a water-based finish. It is also safe for people and pets! See more on Instagram

SEON Social Media

Mechanical pencils and high-performance builders

Betcha didn’t know! Mechanical pencils and high-performance builders are quite alike. Intrigued? Stay tuned as we draw the lines of this unexpected analogy!

Instagram
TikTok

Architectural Sketch Friday

Quick Thoughts and Genius Sketches by Robert Swinburne

Instagram
TikTok

Interesting Links

Vermont AG says woodstove owners deserve clarity from EPA on emissions
No surprise here: Cities with the most expensive homes in Vermont
AND the least expensive county to build a house in Vermont
This Old House’s 5 Best Solar Companies in Vermont (2023)
This major agency has reached a major milestone in one of the most ambitious low-carbon concrete programs – allowing for the inclusion of ground glass and Portland-limestone cement.
A modular timber cabin with sliding walls that open its interior up to the elements.
A new analysis shows that it’s time to go all in on heat pumps.
Driving the adoption of SIPs in both residential and commercial construction.
Researchers move toward energy transition with hydrogen generated on rooftops
This newest insulation spray polyurethane foam insulation, aims to meet the insulation needs of high-performance homes, as well as strict building and energy efficiency codes.

Competitions for Architects and Construction

Global Future Design Awards
Architecture (Built & Concept)
Interior Design (Built & Concept)
Register by August 31
Re-Draw – Nakagin Capsule Tower
Develop one drawing to ‘represent’ an iconic architecture piece.
Register/Submit by August 31
The annual Architecture MasterPrize (AMP)
Register by August 31
BLT Built Design Awards
Recognizes and honors the expertise of all professionals involved in the realization of outstanding projects, on a global basis:
architecture firms
interior design experts
construction products
Register/ Submit by September 2
The Passive House Network 2023 Design Awards
Completed New Passive House Buildings
Completed EnerPHit retrofits.
Unbuilt or incomplete new build or EnerPHit
Passive House Assembly or Installation Detail (must be part of a submitted project.
Register by September 4
LA+ EXOTIQUE design ideas competition
Design the forecourt of the Museum of Natural History in Paris
Register/ Submit by October 30
The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial
Resister by November 5

Resources

► If you know someone who is interested in becoming an architect – or is in college working on their degree – pass this on: Tips for Recent Graduates Navigating Architectural Employment

Meetings & Conferences

► CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Event: BIPOC Coaching Circle – a free group coaching circle to provide a supportive space for building community and advocacy.
Date: Jul. 27 & Oct. 26
Place: Online
Event: Hempcrete Basics @ Yestermorrow
Date: Aug. 19-20Place: Waitsfield, VT
Event: Building Healthy Culture in Construction: Men Dismantling Patriarchy
Date: Sept. 14
Place: Online
Event: HELM Webinar: Sales Process. Bring up budget and schedule at the first meeting. No budget or schedule surprises after the first meeting. No third meeting without a signature on something.
Date: Sept. 12
Place: Online
Event: HELM’s Hike*-a-thon
Date: Sept. 23 (Rain date: Sept. 24)
Place: T.B.D.
Event: Greenbuild 2023: Building Transformation
Date: Sept. 26-29
Place: Washington, DC
Event: Greenbuild 2023: Women in Green – we unapologetically celebrate, sharing our experiences and honoring our impact as professionals. This year’s theme is “self-titled.”
Date: Sept. 28
Place: Washington, DC
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

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
GPI Construction, Brattleboro, VT
Experience Carpenters, Working Foreman/Lead Carpenter
House Wright Construction, Inc., Newbury, VT
Experienced and General CarpentersMathes Hulme Builders, Brattleboro, VT
For more jobs, check out Helm’s Job Board