Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON), CDS Senator Sanders & Welsh, Vermont Residential Homebuilding Coalition and member news

Building Science: Volume 4, Issue 6

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From SEON’s Executive Director

It’s June,

This issue is a celebration of what happens when high-performance building science meets pure artistry.

Our members are true artists, not just builders. When you look at the recent work happening across Vermont right now, it is clear that our community is shaping spaces with the same discipline, spatial intelligence, and precision you would expect to find in a fine art gallery. From breathtaking spatial transformations to steel frames rising like geometric sculptures against the Vermont sky, the craft on display right now is nothing short of inspiring.

But as any master builder knows, you cannot create great art without a great studio—and for us, that studio is our community. This month, we saw the vital art of community in action. When SEON members like HELM and Mathes Hulme meetup, they bring massive energy to foster inclusive, diverse spaces for folks in the trades. When we cultivate a network where everyone has a seat at the table, we don’t just build stronger structures—we build a resilient workforce that elevates our entire industry.

Speaking of elevating the industry, I want to extend a massive congratulations to SEON Board Member David Justice and Vermont Adult Learning (where he serves as the Associate Director)! They were recently honored by Efficiency Vermont with the 2026 Better Building by Design “Innovation in Workforce Development” Award for the Energy Works Program. This incredible statewide model combines technical training and deep student support to open up meaningful careers in the clean energy and building trades. David, your vision embodies exactly what we mean when we talk about workforce transformation.

Whether we are refining our three vital pillars—Recruitment, Training, and Retention—or marveling at the sheer artistry of our members’ current projects, the future of Vermont’s housing stock is in incredibly skilled hands.

I encourage you to dive into this issue, look closely at the stunning craftsmanship of your peers, and celebrate the collective power of this network.

Onward and upward until next month,

Guy Payne
Executive Director

If the The Museum of Modern Art came to Vermont

The Painting

Look at this perfection on a recent tiny renovation by Mindel & Morse Builders. Talk about a surprising transformation that feels like the Smithsonian came to Vermont! Lo and behold:

  • 1. The View Optimization: They replaced an old, obstructive 2-over-2 window setup with a stunning, expansive picture window. The natural wood casing frames the outdoor landscape like a live piece of art.
  • 2. The Spatial Intelligence: Look at how that gorgeous new wooden floor acts as a crisp, deliberate boundary line, perfectly dividing the entry walkway from the elevated sitting area without a single bulky wall.
  • 3. The Warmth and Minimalism: By combining clean, gallery-white walls with integrated low-profile wood benching and a beautifully grained floor, they’ve managed to bring massive architectural warmth to a highly disciplined, minimalist space.

It’s proof that high-performance thinking isn’t just about the building shell—it’s about executing interior spaces with absolute precision.

The Sculpture

We are thrilled to share some striking progress from our Brattleboro-based member, Black Mountain Builders LLC, as they advance on their latest project, the Valley Villa. With the foundation now complete, the team has raised the steel frame, creating a geometric silhouette against the Vermont sky that feels less like a construction site and more like a curated sculpture in a fine art gallery. It is a fantastic reminder of the precision and artistry that goes into high-performance building before the walls even begin to take shape. We look forward to watching this vision come to life!

The Art of Community in the Trades

MHB + HELM Trades Meetup. Lots of fun connecting with Women, Trans & non Binary folx last night. Mathes Hulme Builders and HELM Build

HELM Build and Mathes Hulme Builders joined forces for a fantastic Trades Meetup. Lo and behold, this vibrant gathering reminds us that high-performance building is about so much more than just the art of physical construction; it’s about the vital art of coming together. This was a joyous testament to that spirit, bringing massive energy to connecting, sharing laughs, and fostering an inclusive space for Women, Trans, and Non-Binary folx in the trades. When we cultivate a community where everyone has a seat at the table, we don’t just build stronger structures—we build a resilient, diverse workforce that elevates the entire industry.

Congratulations to our Board Member: David Justice and Vermont Adult Learning!

Congratulations to SEON Board Member David Justice and Vermont Adult Learning on receiving the 2026 Better Building by Design “Innovation in Workforce Development” Award for the Energy Works Program. Presented by Efficiency Vermont at its annual Better Building by Design Conference, the award recognizes the program’s outstanding success in preparing Vermonters for careers in the clean energy and building trades while reducing barriers to employment. Since its launch in Rutland four years ago, Energy Works has grown into a statewide workforce development model, combining technical training, career readiness, language support, and personalized coaching to help adult learners access meaningful employment opportunities. This recognition highlights the power of collaboration among educators, employers, and workforce partners in building a stronger, more sustainable Vermont economy.

Policy and Market Driven News

  • Legislative Push: H.718 Advances Building-Efficiency Reforms
    H.718, a major building-efficiency bill under consideration in Vermont, proposes significant changes to building-code administration and contractor oversight. Among its provisions, the bill would grant municipalities authority to administer and enforce the Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES) and Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES), potentially strengthening local compliance efforts. The legislation also establishes a task force to review and improve Vermont’s residential contractor registry, including consideration of voluntary certification programs related to energy-code knowledge and high-performance building practices. Supporters argue these changes could improve code compliance, increase consumer confidence, and strengthen workforce development in the building sector.

Interesting Links

Events

  • Glazing and Fenestration Applications and Requirements in the VT RBES and the International Residential CodeThis training outlines the application rules and fenestration requirements established under the Vermont Residential Building Energy Standards and the International Residential Code.
    Date: June 23, 2026
    Location: Online
  • Significant Changes to the Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code
    This overview covers the critical reference code transitions from 2015 to 2021 editions that Vermont designers and contractors utilize most often, including NFPA and IBC updates.
    Date: June 24, 2026
    Location: White River Junction, VT
  • Manual DDDD: Don’t Do Dumb DuctsThis webinar focuses on avoiding common HVAC-related airflow killers, noisemakers, and poor ductwork fittings by exploring the complexities of industry-standard duct design.
    Date: June 30, 2026
    Location: Online
  • Practical Principles for Dehumidification System DesignThis session equips design professionals, engineers, and contractors with the essential knowledge needed to design, control, and troubleshoot HVAC dehumidification systems across a wide range of standard and specialized commercial settings.
    Date: August 6, 2026
    Location: Online
  • Affordable Passive House Development — Dorchester, MA
    • June 26, 2026
    • Focus on affordability + Passive House multifamily design.
  • Net-Zero Nonprofit Headquarters — Southern NH
    • August 21, 2026
    • All-electric, low-carbon commercial construction strategies.
  • All-Electric LEED High School & Tech Center — Burlington, VT
    • September 4, 2026
      • Large-scale institutional electrification and high-performance design.
  • June 26, 2026
  • Focus on affordability + Passive House multifamily design.
  • August 21, 2026
  • All-electric, low-carbon commercial construction strategies.
  • September 4, 2026
    • Large-scale institutional electrification and high-performance design.
  • Large-scale institutional electrification and high-performance design.

Thank you, Members