Post and Beam - Timber Frame Blog

AIA Design Awards - Last Day to Vote Online for Your Favorite Project!

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:05:00 +0000

Voting ends today for the AIA NH Excellence in Design People's Choice Awards!

Bonin Architects submitted a custom home on Lake Sunapee to be considered for the Awards. Help us get the People's Choice Award two years in a row by voting online!

Our project, # 1, The Landing, located in Blodgettt Landing, Lake Sunapee in Newbury, NH replaced an old uninsulated family summer cottage on the property. Design goals were to maximize living space, lakefront views, and capture as much natural daylight as possible while maintaining privacy between close neighboring homes. With four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, the design addresses all of the client needs. Recreation areas and a home theatre provide options for children and adults alike.

An open stair anchors the home and creates a focal point, celebrating the four story design. The basement provides direct lake access, ample storage, and a full bathroom for showering after enjoying the lake.

Site placement and interior programming / design conform to property setbacks, neighboring homes less than 7 feet away, and CSPA guidelines. A 5% decrease in the impermeable impact of the site (53% to 48%) was achieved with an overall smaller building footprint and reduction in paved/hardscaped areas.

Please take time to vote for Project #1, The Landing!

Vote on the AIA site: http://www.aianh.org/design_awards_vote2012.asp

Can You Design Your Home Before You Find Property?

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:09:00 +0000

Once you decide to build a home, it’s hard not to think about it. There are many design elements to consider. Some of these you can decide on before you find the perfect piece of property; however, there are some decisions that will be influenced by the characteristics of your land.

Design elements to think about before you find property:

Specialty rooms for hobbies or activities;
The number of bedrooms and bathrooms you will need;
Storage space requirements;
Design details such as a gas fireplace vs. wood;
The theme of your interior design (colors, light, textures)

These things should wait until you find your land:

The home’s size and number of stories: site or local restrictions may limit the size, height, or even the placement of the home on your property.
Type of foundation: the type of foundation system you choose may be dependent upon local or state codes, the lot size, slope, and soil type.
Walkout basement: a sloping lot can allow for a walk-out basement, providing more usable square footage for recreation areas or additional guest bedrooms.

If you’re excited to get started on planning your home design, we suggest you create a binder of clippings and samples you are collecting. Include design elements and details you do not like: sometimes these are more valuable to your architect than features that you do like.

Reposted from Green Home Design Architect

Home Energy Credits

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:35:00 +0000

There's still time to qualify for home energy credits for 2011!

Make energy-saving and green-energy home improvements to your home and enjoy substantial tax savings - but only if you act before midnight on December 31, 2011!

• The 2011 credit rate is 10 percent of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements. Energy efficiency improvements include adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows and doors and certain roofs. The cost of installing these items does not count.

• The credit can also be claimed for the cost of residential energy property, including labor costs for installation. Residential energy property includes certain high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and stoves that burn biomass fuel.

• The credit has a lifetime limit of $500, of which only $200 may be used for windows. If the total of nonbusiness energy property credits taken in prior years since 2005 is more than $500, the credit may not be claimed in 2011.

Use IRS Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits to claim the credit on your tax return.

Factors Impacting Home Design:

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:16:00 +0000

There are two basic factors in home design: fundamental and elemental.

Fundamental considerations are tangible. For example, how many people will be living in your home? How much do you wish to invest, both financially and emotionally? Is it a home you’ll use after retirement, which might dictate single-level living? Only you can determine the emotional investment you’ll have in the house. This varies from person to person and typically affects how much day-to-day input you’ll have in the home’s development.

Elemental considerations are less tangible. The three I find most important are light, views and permanence. Light makes visible the spaces we inhabit. Light also has its own characteristics such as intensity, color, texture and depth, so light and its absence must be considered when designing. For example, if you have two identical rooms—one on the east side of a house and one on the west—each space will be perceived differently, even if they have the same colors, furnishings, textures, volume and design. Yes, it all comes down to sunlight. For example, if you’re not a morning person, it might not be a wise move to place your bedroom on the east side of the house.

Views come next. One of the advantages of timber homes is the ability of timbers to frame views of different spaces. A pair of posts might define the entrance from the dining to the living room; and a floor girder might delineate the dining from the living room in the same manner, acting as a soffit between different ceiling heights. Our experiences in a space often are based upon what we see or feel from it even before we enter a room.

The last is permanence. Obviously, a home is more than shelter. It can be a place of retreat and serenity, and when we can see and understand the structure that protects us—the posts, beams and braces—we gain a primal understanding of security. Again, many timber homes built long ago are still around today. We might not understand the comfort and security these structures provide, but we all perceive and feel those qualities the minute we set foot in one of these homes.

~Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Licensed in NH, VT, ME, MA, RI, and CT

Two Ways to Save Water in a Timber Home

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:57:00 +0000

Water management is a responsible action to take, especially when you’re planning to build a timber home.

Two money and energy-saving strategies which can be easily incorporated into a timber frame design are:

Reducing overall water usage in the home by specifying low-flow water fixtures, low-flush or composting toilets, installing aerators on all taps, and installing low-flow shower head nozzles.
Specifying a plumbing system that reuses grey water (wastewater from domestic usage such as dish washing, laundry and bathing) for flushing toilets, watering lawns, etc. (note: some grey water systems require approval by most local building jurisdictions, your architect will verify this prior to design).

Implement a few simple actions to use water more efficiently and you can reduce your water and sewer bills by one third, a significant savings! According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, “If all U.S. households installed water-efficient appliances, the country would save more than 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $18 billion dollars per year.”

It’s easy to incorporate energy efficiency in your timber home design. Talk to Bonin Architects about your goals and ask questions about what strategies will work for your climate, budget, and home design.

Wood Species for Your Timber Home

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Several wood species are accepted in the timber frame and post and beam home industry. Each species carries its own characteristics and beauty.


Douglas fir timber frame

Douglas fir: Known for its structural strength, Douglas fir’s color ranges from a yellow to orange-brown to deep reddish brown and has a limited number of knots. Douglas fir checks and cracks minimally compared to other wood species. Large Douglas fir timbers may be designated FOHC (free of heart center) which means that the usual 'bulls eye' heart wood found in the center of most beams is absent. Free of heart timber also checks less and is more stable than timber which does have heart wood.

Eastern White Pine: A blond wood with knots of various sizes and occasional red streaks, EWP is a stable, soft wood that is a favorite choice in the Northeast. Not as strong as Hemlock or Douglas fir, Eastern White Pine is a light wood which cracks and checks as it dries over time giving a more rustic look.

Western Red Cedar: This species ranges from medium to dark brown in color. It is saturated with a natural preservative, which allows it to repel water naturally. This keeps shrinking and swelling to a minimum and limits warping and twisting. Its close, even, straight grain makes it easy to work and finish to a smooth, silky finish. Western Red Cedar is generally free from pitch and holds stains and paints beautifully.

Eastern Hemlock: Hemlock is strong and less expensive than Douglas fir; however it carries a defect called “ring shake”. Ring shake is a lengthwise separation that occurs between and parallel to growth rings which usually appears after a year or so. Colors range from a pale brown to faintish reddish brown, which darken over time.

Red Oak: Red Oak is light brown with red undertones which gives an antique look. Oak is a relatively heavy and strong hardwood, but tends to twist, crack, and check more than most softwoods.

Southern Yellow Pine: Southern Yellow Pine is a very popular wood species for a timber frame or post and beam home. Available in long lengths and with consistent high quality, it has a bold grain pattern and color ranging from golden brown to reddish brown which darkens with age. When dried properly, Southern Yellow Pine twists and checks very little and stains very well. Most Southern Yellow Pine used in timber frames is now from salvaged or reclaimed structures.

Whatever your selection in wood species, you can be assured your timber home will be beautiful!

Meet our Staff: Intern Architect Christopher Timberlake

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:29:00 +0000

Bonin Architects’ Intern Architect Christopher Timberlake obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies and his Masters degree in Architecture from Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont.

Prior to joining Bonin Architects, Chris was an architectural designer for a national timber frame company for five years and was head of the design department during his last year there. His knowledge in sustainable design, green building materials, and energy efficient homes, high level of creativity, devotion to quality design, and professionalism benefits all of our projects. His professional experience, coupled with his enthusiasm for architecture and strong work ethic is a great asset to our company.

More about Intern Architects:

An intern architect, or sometimes an architectural intern, is a person who has successfully completed a professional degree in architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch) and is studying for the professional licensure/ registration exam. In order to be licensed, candidates prepare for and take the Architect Registration Examination^® (ARE^®), which assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the practice of architecture. Seven divisions make up the Architect Registration Examination:

Programming, Planning & Practice: The application of project development knowledge and skills relating to architectural programming; environmental, social, and economic issues; codes and regulations; and project and practice management.

Site Planning & Design: The application of knowledge and skills of site planning and design including environmental, social, and economic issues, project and practice management.

Building Design & Construction Systems: The application of knowledge and skills of building design and construction, including environmental, social, and economic issues, project and practice management.

Schematic Design: The application of knowledge and skills required for the schematic design of buildings and interior space planning.

Structural Systems: Identification and incorporation of general structural and lateral force principles in the design and construction of buildings.

Building Systems: The evaluation, selection, and integration of mechanical, electrical, and specialty systems in building design and construction.

Construction Documents & Services: Application of project management and professional practice knowledge and skills, including the preparation of contract documents and contract administration.

Timber Home Living article

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:02:00 +0000

Check out one of our newly built timber homes in the latest issue of Timber Home Living (October 2011).

Afraid you won’t be able to the features you want in your timber home? In the Pro Pointers article titled “Design Details”, New London, NH Architect Jeremy Bonin describes design elements that work well in timber frame houses.

Bonin gives trends and pointers for incorporating these into your home design:

Wine cellars

Open floor plans

Lofts

Clean line

Timber frame homes are very similar to conventional homes as far as the systems and features that can be integrated into the design.

Looking for a timber frame architect? Call Bonin Architects or stop by our office on Main Street in New London today!

Timber Homes: More than a House

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:24:00 +0000

A timber home is much more than a house providing shelter; it is an expression of the owners’ way of life, a representation of their families and personalities.

At first glance, a timber frame home may look like any other home in the neighborhood (especially if it does not feature a timber entry, a timber porch, or timber accents on the exterior). Upon entering a timber home, though, most guests are rendered speechless. Some do try to speak or manage to exclaim a whispered “wow!” under their breaths, but the emotion is always the same: admiration.

Timber homes are

Undeniably beautiful
Traditional, nostalgic

They offer

A sense of permanence
Versatile, open floor plan

They also

Describe interior space
Create ceiling planes

Timber homes appeal to our sense of tradition and desire to understand structure, but perhaps the more obvious features are their warmth and comfort.

If you are planning to build a timber frame home, consider using an architect for the home design. See some of our timber homes and architectural services on our website!

Building a new timber home

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:05:00 +0000

You’ve made the decision to build an energy efficient timber home but may be no further in the process than that initial decision. Bonin Architects & Associates is ready to help you design and build a home that not only matches your needs and fulfills your desires, but also meets your budget. Throughout the architectural design and construction administration process, we will help you give consideration to the impact to both the site environment and to the building itself in terms of stewardship and environmental quality.

Here are five factors Bonin Architects & Associates will urge you to contemplate when building a sustainable, energy efficient timber frame home:

Site consideration
Water efficiency
Energy and atmosphere
Materials and resources
Indoor environmental quality

There are many material choices and alternative energy solutions available in building a timber home that is considered truly green. Our architects will present many of these to you during the design phase of the project, keeping in mind your project goals and budget. Some considerations are:

Recycled and reclaimed materials: Wood species, Roofing material, Decking
Insulation systems: Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
Renewable Energy Systems

By mapping your objectives and goals during the design process, Bonin Architects will then work with you to exceed your expectations in building your green home. The end result fulfills more than the basic need for shelter – your sustainable home will provide maximum return on your investment, require minimal maintenance, and satisfy the innate desire to create a nurturing environment in which your family can flourish.

Call us to discuss your project at 603-526-6200 or email info@boninarchitects.com

Giving Back to the Community: Update

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:32:00 +0000

R.P. Johnson’s event, We Build It Forward, brought community members and local businesses together to give back to neighbors, schools, parks, and landmarks in the local area. In fact, ten projects in seven towns were completed on June 25, 2011, and included fundraisers, yard cleanups, fixing park shelters, and painting an entire house.

Bonin Architects led a team to build a community bulletin board at the Andover NH transfer station, and had help from our employees, kids, and even our clients! Architect Jeremy Bonin designed the bulletin board - not a timber frame, but an attractive design nonetheless!

Other community projects completed were painting and repairing a picket fence at East Andover Preschool, replacing the roof on a mobile home in Sunapee, NH, building a handicap ramp, installing two storm doors and doing a yard cleanup in Sutton Mills, and cleaning up Wadleigh State Park in North Sutton.

The day was documented by The Kearsarge Chronicle. Watch the community come together on this day of giving back, and watch for details on next year’s We Build It Forward!

A Timber House Fits Any Architectural Style

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:20:00 +0000

Whatever architectural style you want to achieve, timber frames can fit the design, as shown by this very contemporary timber home our architects designed for clients in the Dartmouth Lake Sunapee region.

In order to design an open floor plan structurally, the timber frame design includes Douglas fir “keyed beams” shown here being lifted into place and after the home was built. The “keys” are hardwood wedges joined transversely to the adjacent timbers to transfer shear and limit interlayer slip.

The interior combines the beauty of wood with steel to create a contemporary look. Built ins with sleek lines and furniture with a modern influence are found throughout the home.

The kitchen cabinets are recessed, making the kitchen look larger. A Butler’s pantry is located behind the oven wall. White contemporary doors hide a small office off the kitchen. A curved counter with armless chairs and hanging lights complete the look.

A lavatory continues the contemporary design with a fashionable mirror, stainless sink bowl and fixture, and an angled cabinet and countertop.

A second office upstairs uses track lighting and modern art to complete the look.

A beautiful timber home starts with a timber frame design! Read why you should hire an architect for your home design.

R.P. Johnson & Son has called for community support and New Hampshire has answered

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:02:00 +0000

Andover, NH (PRWEB) June 24, 2011

Seeing the rush of volunteers, sponsors and donated materials show up, at 8am on Saturday June 25th at R.P. Johnson and Son in Andover, NH for the We Build it Forward Outreach event will be a powerful testament to the unity and giving nature of this NH community, but no more than the outpouring of support they have already seen from area businesses and citizens in the form of thousands in event sponsorships and material donations and dozens and dozens of volunteers. Notable team leaders include special support from Bonin Architects of New London. Sponsors who went well over the call of duty include: Marvin Windows and Doors, A.W. Hastings, Co, Inc., Old Hampshire Designs and The Lions Club of Sunapee.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/346662#ixzz1QDYYluw9

Intern Architect – Christopher Presutti

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:40:00 +0000

Meet Chris, Bonin Architects' summer intern architect. Chris will begin his third year in the Bachelor of Science degree program in Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston this fall. He has an impressive portfolio and resume and is also an honorary brother and co-head of the alumni committee of Phi Sigma Pi, a National Honors Fraternity based on the three ideals of Scholarship, Fellowship, and Leadership.

Architect Jeremy Bonin sums it up for us: “We’re very happy to have Chris join Bonin Architects this summer – and personally, I’m excited to have an intern from my alma mater. He is very talented and brings outstanding communication and artistic ability to the position.”

In his spare time, Chris likes to fish anyway possible, hike, and canoe. He's also an avid snowboarder since the 4th grade and LOVES to cook and travel!

We Build It Forward – Community Event

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:46:00 +0000

ONE DAY. ONE COMMUNITY. ONE CHALLENGE.
A powerful day of giving and serving Others

Bonin Architects is proud to be a Team Leader in our local 2011 We Build It Forward campaign. Spearheaded by R.P. Johnson & Son, We Build it Forward is a way for everyone in the community to help out their neighbors in need.

On Saturday, June 25, 2011, Bonin Architects will join hundreds of individuals who will take part in serving others.

Have you been inspired by someone who made a difference in your life? It could have been an act large or small where someone went out of their way to help you with a problem, situation, or was just there when you needed them. Now is your opportunity to “pay it forward” and help someone else! From painting or yard clean-up to fundraisers that help feed the hungry or build homes, you can be involved by signing up at the We Build It Forward website. You can either join the Bonin Architects team or build a team with some of your friends and colleagues.

We need your help! This is what you can do:

First: Ask yourself who you can help - write it down
Second: Decide how you want to help! – write it down
Third: Sign up online or call us and say YES! I know how I can help!

Need Some Ideas?

Plan a fundraiser dinner and sell tickets at the door
Choose a community member in need of a deck or home repair of some kind
Choose an area of town that needs a clean up
Find a youth or recreational organization that needs a new structure
Stage a bake sale, clothes drive, food drive
Fix a door
Replace an electrical box
Clean up a public place
Repair a fence
Paint a house
Repair a window
Donate bikes to needy kids
Bring meals to seniors who need a home cooked meal
Offer to play music and entertain all these wonderful, giving people
Make a donation of materials or dollars toward materials

The event will serve the R.P. Johnson & Son service area and will commence at the Rte. 11 Andover, NH location.

Say YES to join us! Sign up at WeBuildItForward.com today! You’ll be helping your neighbors and having a great time!

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC, 209 Main Street, New London, NH. For more information call or email us! 603-526-6200, info@boninarchitects.com

Building, Remodel & Decorate: Trend Watch – Image Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:16:00 +0000

The Spring 2011 issue of Image Magazine, distributed to homeowners in 46 towns along the CT River Valley in New Hampshire and Vermont, features a unique section called Trend Watch, a homeowner’s guide to building, remodeling, and decorating. In this regard, we see the same trends in conventional homes as we do in timber homes.

When asked about current home design and building trends, NH Architect Jeremy Bonin pointed to home size. “Smaller is definitely a trend,” said Bonin, Principal Architect of Bonin Architect & Associates in New London. “The size of the custom house is coming down. We’re seeing fewer rooms and more multi-use spaces. Instead of two separate rooms with several hundred square feet each, these are combined into one slightly larger room.”

Another trend, says Bonin, is maximizing outdoor space. “We design many lakefront homes in the Sunapee region. These homes have a lot of interaction of the indoor living space and the exterior landscape or lake side of the home with views and outdoor activities.”

Energy efficiency is another front-runner in design and building trends. Bonin, a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional), uses his training in sustainable design in each and every project. “For energy efficiency and sustainability, we use guidelines from LEED and Energy Star,” adds Bonin. “The building envelopes are well-insulated, we specify durable low-maintenance materials, high-quality windows and doors, and homes are sited to take advantage of passive solar as well as views.”

Other building and remodeling trends Bonin notes:

Open kitchen, dining, and living areas
First floor Master Suites and one story living
Incorporating three-season porches with energy efficient windows to use year-round

Jeremy Bonin has contributed to many publications. Click the link to read some of his articles on green building.

Save Energy – Dim the Lights!

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:41:00 +0000

It’s that time of year again – Earth Day is right around the corner, and all over the globe people are looking for ways to save energy. If you are looking for a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, try turning the lights down with a light dimmer.

If residential and commercial sectors join force on this, the energy savings could potentially be huge. Michael W. Pessina, president of the Office of Product Development at Lutron Electronics, a light control manufacturer, says, “We estimate that installed Lutron dimmers save over 9 billion kilowatt hours of energy per year, and that prevents 17 billion pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. That’s a savings of over $1 billion in energy costs each year.”

According to the US Department of Energy, commercial buildings consume 38% of their total energy usage in lighting – more than heating, cooling, ventilation, computers, and equipment combined. By using Lutron dimmers (see photo), electricity usage can be reduced by 20%. Combine that with a Lutron Radio Powr Savr wireless occupancy sensor and you can cut lighting electricity an additional 35%!

Bottom line: Pessina says “If better light control can help people work more effectively for five minutes – which is equal to 1% of the work day – the investment in light controls will pay for itself in less than a year.”

Want to know how much work and home energy savings you’ll see just by dimming the lights? Take a minute and look at Lutron’s energy savings calculator.

NH Ski-Up at Mount Sunapee March 19, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:00:00 +0000

It's that time again! Join the crowd for great spring skiing which enjoying a BBQ on "the beach" at Mount Sunapee on Saturday, March 19, 2011! Details?

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Mount Sunapee Ski Area

Skiing, Snowboarding, Networking, Tailgating, and & BBQ!

Get an all-day ski pass for $45 per person (which includes the BBQ)! If you already have a pass or if you're not planning to ski, it's FREE - yes, FREE! Join the fun!

To register and to see pictures of last year's event, visit these websites:

http://nhskiup1.eventbrite.com/
http://www.facebook.com/NHSkiUp
http://www.sunapeeregionblog.com/2011/02/the-2nd-annual-nh-ski-up-at-sunapee-is-here/

SIP Panels: R-Values in the Real World

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:38:00 +0000

Source: Structural Insulated Panel Association, www.sips.org

Insulation is one of the key components of any energy-efficient home or commercial building. With heating and cooling accounting for 50 percent of energy use in the average home, the type of insulation you choose can save thousands of dollars in utility bills over the life of your home.

Insulation is rated by R-value, which measures a material’s thermal resistance. An insulating material with a higher R-value forms a more effective thermal barrier between the outside temperature and the conditioned space inside the home.

But R-value doesn’t tell the whole story. Laboratory tests that determine R-value have little resemblance to how insulation actually performs in a home. When real world factors such as air infiltration, extreme temperatures and thermal bridging are present, field-installed fiberglass insulation can lose more than half its R-value. Research has repeatedly shown that SIPs provide continuous insulation that will maintain its stated R-value for the life of the home and outperform fiberglass insulation every time.

Read more: http://www.sips.org

Bonin Named to New Hampshire’s 40 Under Forty

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:01:00 +0000

“Architect Jeremy Bonin sees buildings come together from the inside out.”

Jeremy Bonin, Lead Architect and Principal Partner of Bonin Architects & Associates, is included in New Hampshire Union Leader’s “40 Under Forty”, an annual honors program that highlights some of the state’s best, brightest, and youngest individuals.

“Ten years of 40 under Forty really speaks for the success of this effort,” said Union Leader President and Publisher Joseph W. McQuaid. “It was and is intended to both showcase and honor those who are contributing so much to life in New Hampshire and to encourage others to do likewise. There are only 24 hours in a day, but the young men and women we have honored in these classes manage to use them to the max. They add value to their communities and state in their daily endeavors, and many of them then somehow find the time to do more, all the while keeping family in focus.”

The 40 honorees will be recognized March 8^th by the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Union Leader in a reception sponsored by Citizens Bank.

Bonin Architects Wins Two AIANH Excellence in Architecture Design Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:48:00 +0000

We were pleasantly surprised Saturday night at the AIANH Excellence in Architecture Award ceremony when our Lakefront Cottage Renovation project won TWO Awards: The Merit Award and the People’s Choice Award in Residential Architecture!

Entries were judged on overall design excellence including aesthetics, clarity, creativity, appropriate functionality, sustainability, building performance, and appropriateness with regard to fulfilling the client's program. The entries were also previewed in the January/February 2011 issue of NH Home Magazine. Winning entries will be featured in a future issue.

Residential Architecture: Lakefront Cottage Renovation

Architect: Jeremy Bonin, Bonin Architects & Associates

Merit Award and People’s Choice Award, Residential Architecture

Project Description:

Originally one of eleven cabins on “The Point”, the recently subdivided property left this and one other cabin in close proximity to the beautiful beach and lake. Removal of the ‘point’ cabin allowed for a meandering path from renovated cottage to the dock as well as substantially opening the view to the lake from the remaining cabin.

A newly exposed cathedral ceiling is warm and inviting as are the reused and repositioned windows and doors for capturing lakeside views and breezes. Salvaged and refinished from the cottage are framing lumber, T&G boards and floors. Finishes and materials are low or no VOC products and even the woodstove is a found item making a new home in this beautiful location.

With material reuse and minimal site impact as two principal goals throughout the design and renovation process, the resultant cabin provides for three seasons of comfortable lakefront access and family gatherings.

The 2011 jury was comprised of representatives from the State of Maine’s architecture community: James A. Sterling, AIA, Portland; Ellen Belknap, AIA, SMRT Architects, Portland; and Walter Arsenault, AIA, Fraser Matson Architecture & Planning, Falmouth.

Juror Comments: “Understated, simple, cost effective renovation. Excellent use of limited space. Restrained and authentic in use of materials and details. In some ways, this is the most appealing project …. maybe it speaks to the desire for simplicity in all of us.”

See more photos of this award-winning cottage at http://www.boninarchitects.com/lakefrontcottage.html

About The American Institute of Architects: For 150 years, members of The American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge, and tools to create better design, and through such resources and access, they help clients and communities make their visions real. www.aia.org

About Jeremy Bonin and Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC: Jeremy Bonin, a principal partner of Bonin Architects & Associates, is an award-winning architect and the author of TIMBER FRAMES: Designing Your Custom Home. Jeremy has a special interest in sustainable design and green homes with a specialty in green building and renewable energy systems.

Bonin Architects & Associates, led by Kimberly Bonin and Jeremy Bonin AIA NCARB LEED AP, located in New London, NH, is a national architectural firm licensed in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. www.boninarchitects.com

source: http://greenhomedesignarchitect.blogspot.com/2011/01/award-winning-nh-lakefront-cottage.html

Carriage Houses

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:04:00 +0000

Carriage houses as very popular in all areas of the country. Typically designed with a two-car garage on the lower level and living space above, the carriage house is a home design that can stand alone or supplement a main house as a guest house.

This carriage house design will be used as a guest house on a large property on Lake Winnipesaukee. The lower level will house three cars and ¾ bathroom.

The second floor living space is large enough for two bedrooms and a shared full bath. The timber frame creates an open floor plan, and with the kitchen, dining, and living room as one space, the custom timber frame becomes the focal point instead of interior walls.

A sleeping loft is the bonus room and is accessible by a ladder near the kitchen, which eliminates the need for a stairway while increasing living space.

Construction Photos: NH Custom Luxury Home

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:50:00 +0000

Construction is continuing despite the rain in New Hampshire’s Upper Valley. Interior walls, sheet rock, and flooring is being installed. Even under construction, the timber frame is remarkable and provides an early glimpse into the beauty of the finished home.

Energy efficiency is an important goal for the home. Utilizing both active and passive solar technologies in the design along with a partial timber frame and structural insulated panels, this new home is being designed to meet Energy Star certification, keeping its carbon footprint to a minimum.

Stonework on the exterior is even more beautiful in person than on the architectural drawings!

Craftsman Style Timber Home

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:51:00 +0000

Our timber frame design for a craftsman style home is under construction in central New York.

The custom timber frame is being wrapped in energy efficient structural insulated panels, and will include green building materials such as a solar hot water system, metal roof, and high performance, energy efficient windows.

The 2642 SF home has 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths, and features an open floor plan in the kitchen, dining, and great room. The home can easily accommodate accessibility issues in later years with a first floor Master Bedroom suite and all main features of the home on the main floor.

The basement has plenty of space for storage, mechanical room, two guest bedrooms, and a family room.

For more details on this custom home, visit the On The Boards section of Bonin Architects' website.

Construction Photos: Maine Energy Efficient Home

noreply@blogger.com (Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:35:00 +0000

Construction is well under way on our clients’ energy efficient home on Hadley Lake, Machias, Maine. Located on 193 acres, their 1100 square foot home will not only be energy efficient but beautiful as well!

One of architect drawings is a "see-through" rendering of the home's interior.

Here are some construction photos from the builder.

For a more detailed description of the home design and project goals, visit www.boninarchitects.com/underconstruction.html.