In this issue

• Message from the Executive Director
• New Classes available
• Member Awards!
• Introducing our Newest Dog Member
• Spotlight: Member Project
• In Search Of
• 10 Step Hiring Process
• Our members – in action
• Offsite Dirt: interview with Mel Baiser of HELM
• Interesting Links
• Training
• Events
• Thank You, Members

From SEON’s Executive Director

We’re in the middle of July, folks, and we’ve got….

New Classes Available!
Look below or visit
our website to see our newest training

We want to thank our member, WW Building Supply in Newfane and RK Miles in Manchester, for allowing us to hold classes at their venues. Look for further classes at LaValleys in West Lebanon and Bethel Mills.
P.S. We are still seeking a building supply company in the northern part of the state that has a suitable classroom facility.

Update on SEON’s CDS Project 2025

Sadly, our Congressional Delegation did not accept the CDS application. While this outcome is disappointing, it serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and staying focused on our core mission.

New Project: Weatherization Training Center
SEON will partner with ReSource for the Weatherization Training Center, with ReSource taking the lead. ReSource’s expertise in delivering entry-level training, along with their robust grant management and tracking capabilities, makes them an ideal partner. SEON will be responsible for delivering advanced levels of weatherization training and leadership training.

Update on the Vermont Homebuilding Coalition

SEON remains committed to collaborating with other residential nonprofits to propose three certifications for acceptance by the Office of Professional Regulations. This initiative aligns with our goal to enhance professional standards within the industry.

Last But Certainly Not Least!

I am proud to share that two of our members, Sustainable Design, VT, and Shelterwood, received awards from the Vermont Green Building Network for their excellence in retrofit design and new residential construction, respectively.

Onward and upward until next month!

Guy Payne
Executive Director

Spread the Word – New Classes are Here!

High-Performance Building
Date: Sept.17 and 24: 3:30 – 7:30PM

High-Performance Building
Date: Oct. 1 and 8: noon-4:00PM

Crew Leadership Training: Mentoring Skills to Retain Your Workforce
Date: Sept. 18 and 25: 3:30 – 7:30PM

Crew Leadership Training: Mentoring Skills to Retain Your Workforce
Date: Oct. 17 and 24: noon-4:00PM

Member Awards
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, LLC. Vermont Green Building Award and Juror’s Choice | Residential Renovation/Retrofit: 1860 Farmhouse Rebirth This 1860s farmhouse, submitted by Sustainable Design, LLC, was left vacant for several years. As part of this project, the house was moved and placed on a new insulated foundation. The house was gutted, air sealed, and insulated, including exterior insulation, exceeding current new construction Energy Code requirements. Windows and siding were also replaced. The existing slate roofing on the farmhouse was left in place, and the house is clad with white corrugated aluminum, mimicking narrow clapboards. The two small additions are clad in slate siding and have metal roofs. The propane tank, boiler, and two chimneys were removed; a ground source heat pump and ERV were installed. The farmhouse framing, roof, sloping floors, and structure remain intact.Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 14.7 kBtu/sf/yrTeam included: Sustainable Design, LLC Deconstruction Works Turned-Up Woodworx
SHELTERWOOD CONSTRUCTION Vermont Green Building Award and Net Zero Award | Residential: Barnes Hill Net Zero Home This high-performance home, submitted by Shelterwood Construction, is located in the hills of Waterbury Center. This collaborative project was designed by the homeowner’s brother and father, with interior design done by the homeowner’s mother. This net zero home is intended to be compact, quiet, and comfortable, with space for kids, pets, and working from home. The two-story house has an open plan, while upstairs has a traditional layout of bedrooms, baths, and laundry. SIPs panels were used for the shell and roof. In winter, the home is heated by a ground source heat pump. Other features include a 12 kW solar system, a wood-burning stove for backup heat, two heat pump water heaters, a heat pump dryer, and EV charging. Locally sourced, durable materials include polished concrete floors, paperstone countertops, and a standing seam metal roof.Energy Use Intensity (EUI): -5.7 kBtu/sf/yrTeam included: Architect: Robert Flaherty Interior Design: Christine Flaherty Builder: Shelterwood Construction HVAC: Montpelier Plumbing and Heating Structural Engineer: Ingenium

Introducing our Newest Dog Member

MerlinThis is Merlin. He’s a rescue dog from South Carolina and the owner of Drew Clark (our newest member: SEED Design/Build, LLC). Says Drew, “Merlin is a great job site dog. He loves to make little bowls, with coiled up rope or extension cords. He just needs some nesty-bowly things to curl up into and hang out.” Merlin’s philosophy is “be chill.” Be like Merlin!

Spotlight: Member Project A Renovated Timber Framed Goat Barn “When Drew (writing this) and Maggie purchased this property in 2020, it was in pretty rough shape. There were 5 buildings including an old home that needed to be demolished due to health & safety issues. There was a small unfinished and neglected structure behind the main house that had a good foundation, a well and a septic attached. But that was about all it had going for it. Drew and Maggie embarked on a process of renovation called a deep energy retrofit while also attempting to greatly improve the functionality and aesthetics of the building. The process of retrofitting the house involved the following steps: Waterproofed, insulated and redid drainage around the foundation Buried electric and internet lines Poured 2 new sections of foundation wall Installed new windows Replaced missing insulation and air sealed the entire building to improve durability and reduce heat loss Replaced rotten sheathing Wrapped building in airtight weather resistant barrier Added 3″ rigid insulation to the entire exterior of the building Installed 5 low energy heat recovery ventilators that run 24/7 Installed a vented wall and roof assembly Resided the house with local hemlock shiplap Installed a timber frame mudroom/porch Completed renovated the inside of the structure including sheetrock and paint, installed wide pine flooring, lime plastered the upstairs bedroom, all new pine trim everywhere Installed custom handblown glass pendant light courtesy of @refoundworks Installed tiny wood stove that fully heats our home with less than a cord of wood each winter Installed a new standing seam roof Installed a 7K solar array ► Read more at SEED Design | Build

Is Search Of…..

We’d love to feature your job site animal and your projects: Just send us an email at: sarah@buildingscience.org

10 Step Hiring Process Finding and hiring new staff can be a real challenge. Despite record high unemployment nationally, there continues to be a lack of skilled workers in the trades. HELM Construction Solutions has put together this checklist of ten steps to making a great hire: HELM Construction Solutions

Members in Action

Hello Gorgeous!“Cozy loft hangout space with a view! Design & Build: Wadsworth Design Build & @vermont_barns Interior Design: Wadsworth Design Build Roofing & Siding: @802.roofing” ► Read more at Wadsworth Design Build

Idea Design Tools“#morpholiotrace is great for running through a pile of ideas at high speed…” ► Read more at Bluetime Collaborative

When they say…. “‘Fun is allowed’ on their website.” ► Read more at Apple Tree Builders

Restoration Preservation “Window sill/facade, Rockingham Roasters, Bellows Falls, Vt. Restorative preservation we’ll call it.” ► Read more at Tim Lillis Builder

Watch The Next Chapter Unity client Matt Ferrell hosts a YouTube channel called “Undecided with Matt Ferrell” that has over one million subscribers. Matt is creating a series of videos about the design/build process for his new home. The first video focuses on the options Matt explores for building his home, the second video is about the panel prefabrication process, and the third shows the assembly of the shell on site. Here’s how Matt sums up the process: “After seeing this in person, my main thought was, why aren’t we doing this everywhere?” ► Read more at Unity Homes

What’s the Best Insulation Option? “Did you know insulation has been used to keep homes warm for thousands of years? The ancient Greeks and Romans used materials like wool and straw to insulate their homes. Today, we have more advanced options like cellulose and foam insulation. Wondering what type of insulation is right for your home? We offer both cellulose and foam insulation options, each with its unique benefits.” ► Read more at Farnum Insulators