Building Science News from New England

Building Science: Volume 3, Issue 7

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In This Issue

From SEON’s Executive Director

It’s July!

As we look ahead, the air is buzzing with innovation and opportunity! This month’s newsletter is packed with exciting updates, from vital new training programs designed to elevate your skills, to inspiring glimpses of cutting-edge projects from our members. We’re also thrilled to share some incredible media recognition for the impactful work happening in our community.

Training
We’re particularly excited about our upcoming training classes, designed to equip you and your teams with the most sought-after skills in high-performance building, as well as effective crew leadership. Investing in professional development is key to staying competitive and fostering a strong, engaged workforce.

Our Basics of High Performance Building course will delve into the essential principles that lead to energy-efficient, comfortable, and durable structures.

For those looking to strengthen their teams and cultivate a positive work environment, our Crew Leadership Classes: Mentoring Skills to Develop and Retain Your Workforce offers invaluable strategies directly from me.

And, once again, we offer our in-demand Water, Air, and Thermal Continuous Control Layers – a hands-on course that covers the theory of the 3 continuous control layers as well as the materials and installation practices involved for vertical walls. It will also cover the installation drainage plane, air barrier, and continuous exterior insulations as they are integrated into both the plane of the exterior wall and the major penetration at windows.

These two-part training sessions are scheduled throughout the fall at convenient locations across Vermont.

Early Bird Special
To help you seize these opportunities, we’re offering an exclusive Early Bird Special: Sign up before August 1st and receive $50 off your registration! Don’t miss this chance to invest in yourself and your team. You’ll find all the specific dates, times, locations, and sign-up links below.

Welcome!
I also want to welcome SEON’s newest member, Geoff Wilcox, the director of the Vermont Weatherization Assistance Program via the Office of Economic Opportunity! I attended the ribbon cutting of new Weatherization Center in Barre and was very impressed. Vermont is on the move!

Get ready to dive into a wealth of insights that underscore our collective drive to push boundaries and build a more sustainable future.

Signature image

Onward and upward until next month,

Guy Payne
Executive Director

New Training Classes

  • Basics of High Performance Building

    • September 9 & 16, 2025 (Two-part training)

      • Time: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM

      • Location: VFW, 280 Depot Street, Manchester, VT 05255

      • Instructor: Junio Anthes-Moody

      • ► Sign up here

    • October 22 & 29, 2025 (Two-part training)

      • Time: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM

      • Location: Vermont Construction Academy, 276 E Allen St., Winooski, VT 05404

      • Instructor: Jim Bradley

      • ► Sign up here

    • November 12 & 19, 2025 (Two-part training)

      • Time: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM

      • Location: WW Building Supply, 551 VT-30, Newfane, VT 05345

      • Instructor: Junio Anthes-Moody

      • ► Sign up here

  • Crew Leadership: Mentoring Skills to Develop and Retain Your Workforce

    • October 7 & 15, 2025 (Two-part training)

      • Time: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM

      • Location: VFW in Manchester Center, 280 Depot Street, Manchester, VT 05255

      • Instructor: Guy Payne – Executive Director

      • ► Sign up here

    • November 11 & 18, 2025 (Two-part training)

      • Time: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM

      • Location: Vermont Construction Academy, 276 E Allen St., Winooski, VT 05404

      • Instructor: Guy Payne – Executive Director

      • ► Sign up here

    • November 13 & 20, 2025 (Two-part training)

      • Time: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM

      • Location: WW Building Supply, 551 VT-30, Newfane, VT 05345

      • Instructor: Guy Payne – Executive Director

      • ►Sign up here

  • Water, Air, and Thermal Continuous Control Layers

    • December 9 & 16, 2025 (Two-part training)

      • Time: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM

      • Location: Windham Regional Career Center 80 Atwood St., Brattleboro, VT 05301

      • Instructor: Steve Sebastian

      • ► Sign up here

New Weatherization Training Center

Weatherization Training Center

Sneak Peak.

Up in Barre, the new Weatherization Training Center has opened.

Buildings in Progress

SEED Design Build progress 1
SEED Design Build progress 2
SEED Design Build progress 3

SEED Design Build – in progress
Some final shots of our high performance ADU design in Brattleboro! A very minimalist, Nordic aesthetic, and super cozy in the winter!
► see more here

Tim Lillis Builder progress 1
Tim Lillis Builder progress 2
Tim Lillis Builder progress 3

Tim Lillis Builder – in progress
From the inside!
► see more here

A Media Star

CNN Visits Unity Homes

CNN Visits Unity Homes
”CNN Chief Climate Correspondent, Bill Weir, recently visited our production facility to explore how prefabricated, energy-efficient homes can help address the urgent challenges of the housing shortage and construction labor crisis.⁠ Watch a perfect example of how Bensonwood’s building process delivers both speed and sustainability. Thanks to its all-electric design, the Goodsons now live completely off the grid.⁠”
► see more from Unity Homes

Using Social Media like a Boss

Our Members – In Action

Shelterwood Construction Project

Breezeway at the Black Metal House
”This beauty in Stowe.”
► see more from Shelterwood Construction.

Efficiency Vermont Project

She’s Been Steadily Tackling One Project at a Time
”The realtor was skeptical when Shams purchased an old, leaky home in Central Vermont. But Shams saw the possibilities.”
► see more from Efficiency Vermont

Northshire Living Project

Zellige Stye Tile Redux
”Zellige style tile might be having a moment but I think it’s just as classic as a subway! Hard to believe this renovation was already 5 years ago, and I still love the tile as much as the day we picked it ”
► see more at Northshire Living

475 High Performance Building Supply Project

Have You Used This Product?
”We’re loving this excellent INTELLO PLUS install by @kmforand and crew in Narragansett, RI! Note the 2×4 service cavity everywhere creating a chase for electrical without having to go in and out of the membrane. Another nice feature is the use of CONTEGA MULTIBOND doublesided adhesive strip to seal the smart vapor control membrane to the bottom plate. Have you used these features on your projects?”
► see more from 475 High Performance Building Supply

Apple Tree Builders Project

Fun Is Allowed!
”To accomplish your project, ATB leverages close relationships with top-notch subcontractors throughout Southern Vermont and New Hampshire. From complex electrical or geothermal installations, to custom cabinetry or standing-seam metal roofs, we have you covered.”
► see more at Apple Tree Builders

Wright Builders Project

Wright Builders Sponsor Music Event
”Surprise! The line up for The 7th Annual Arcadia Folk Festival is here! August 23rd – the beloved musical event that brings community together around music to celebrate and support the work of Mass Audubon in Western Mass and to model a sustainable community event.
► see more from Wright Builders

Integrated Solar Project

Riding the ‘solar coaster’: Integrated Solar Applications celebrates 50 years
“ISA has survived through “diversification and critical expertise…We specialize in Net Zero Energy, whole house solutions…our expertise in building science and combined system solutions sets us apart.” Today, Cay said, the core of renewable energy technologies is made up of solar PV, batteries, mini-splits and geothermal. “Virtually non-existent for small scale are wind, hydro and solar hot water,” he said.”
► see more from Integrated Solar

Interesting Links

Click below to read more Interesting Links & Events

Events

HELM Meet-Up

Save the date! HELM’s next Vermont Meet-Up will be Wednesday, July 23rd, at the Atkins Field Pavilion in Hardwick, VT, from 5-7pm.

This gathering for women, trans, and gender-expansive folks in the construction trades is a casual, fun place to connect, share experiences, and build a supportive community.

We’ll provide snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

RSVP here

Thank you, Members