Stearns Design-Build

To Build or Not to Build

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:28:49 +0000

That is an important question. For many years we at Stearns Design Build (Stearns Construction at the time) insisted on only remodeling, or, as we like to put it, recycling homes. We have since justified designing and building new homes. The justification is that new building stock is necessary. The fact is that we [...]

Vote For This Amazing Family Farm

admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:03:10 +0000

I have posted in the past about Sawmill Hollow Farm. This is more than just a family farm, though these days that in and of itself is pretty cool. This farm is owned and managed by the Pittz family who are agricultural pioneers. They have returned the aronia berry, a native, super high antioxidant fruit to production in America. In addition to growing aronia berries they have also worked tirelessly to develop honest, high quality supplements and other happy health products that do not seek to deceive the consumer. Turns out that is a pretty rare commodity.

Employee Spotlight: Rod

Elizabeth — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:58:42 +0000

We’re proud of Stearns Design-Build for any number of reasons-- But, everything we do is only made possible because of our outstanding company team! Today, we're turning the spotlight on one of our crew. Read on to find out more about him!

Should You Replace Your Windows?

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:45:50 +0000

In February the Federal Trade Commission handed down a complaint against five window manufactures for making wildly false claims in their marketing material about expected energy savings from their replacement windows. This is not to say that you should not pay attention to your windows with an eye toward energy savings and possibly even consider replacing them. But on average most window replacements will reduce overall energy bills less than 5%, not the 50% claimed by some manufactures. But there are other reasons than return on investment that may encourage you to replace your windows. One of those reasons is comfort. Good windows will make your home more comfortable. The other reason is aesthetics. Windows frame the world beyond and should be just as beautiful as your best framed work of art. Indeed, a properly placed window may be your best piece of art. A high quality window will encourage you to open it on a nice day, unlike poor quality windows that must be fought to get them opened and closed. These are good reasons to replace windows, but most people are sold new windows on the idea that they will have a short return on investment, which is seldom the case.

Recent Project: Private Courtyard

Elizabeth — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:22:40 +0000

Take a look at one of our recently completed projects!

Mission Haiku

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:19:04 +0000

As you may know, April is National Poetry Month. And this is National Architecture Week. To celebrate this greenbuilding.com is holding a haiku contest. When I formed Stearns Design Build, I read business books that suggested creating a “mission statement.” This sort of sterile distillation of a complex system seemed antithetical to much of what I sought to do. Creating a company was about more than crude causal statements intended only to direct action at driving profit. I sought nuance and relationship. So, rather than a mission statement, I wrote a mission Haiku that applies equally to our theories of business and design.

What Does Building Science Have To Do With You?

Elizabeth — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:47:43 +0000

Building science looks at a house as a system, recognizing that it consists of parts that work together to make up the building enclosure. All of these parts, their connections, and their relations affect the envelope of the building, which in turn dictates performance, efficiency, and comfort. One part of a building that people don’t [...]

Way to Go

admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:11:54 +0000

We have a tradition at Stearns Design Build called the “Way To Go”, which is recognition for a team member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. In fact this is a tradition that I have a hard time following. That is not for a lack of great effort on the part [...]

I love our Blog

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:22:48 +0000

Elizabeth Hard at Work I really like the Stearns Design Build Blog. You may think that I am bragging on myself, but I am not. For the last several months the excellent work on our blog has been done by Elizabeth, who also happens to be our design manager and all around great person. [...]

The Design-Build Process

Elizabeth — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:44:11 +0000

What is the Design-Build Process? How does it work? And what are its advantages? Find out in this weeks blog.