WAYWORD: Vermont Integrated Architecture's Newsletter

News from Vermont Integrated Architecture, PC

We are grateful for the many ways life is full, both in and out of the office.
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Practicing Gratitude

by Andrea Murray

On the day after Thanksgiving, Andrea reflected on what is most important about what we do and all the people who work together to make positive change. Click below for the full blog post.

Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday. The usually brown November landscape makes me feel okay about being in the kitchen, and the foodie in me appreciates the excuse to cook and eat some of my very favorite dishes without feeling guilty. Bar none, however, I love Thanksgiving because it is not about “stuff,” maybe just “stuffing.” To me Thanksgiving is an opportunity to share the kitchen and food mentioned above with the people I love, with people who may be less fortunate, and to practice the act and art of gratitude. (continued...)

Congratulations Sam and Christy!

In October, Sam Ostrow passed the last of his architectural licensing exams and is in process for licensure as a registered architect. This huge accomplishment pales in comparison to what happened a few weeks later: he and his wife Christy Lynn welcomed their first baby, Elwood Weston Ostrow-Lynn, on November 12. We are delighted that the VIA family is growing. Congratulations Sam and Christy!

Shelburne Library Begins to Grow

At a time of year when not much seems to be emerging (growing) from the earth, we are delighted to see the Shelburne Community Center and Pierson Public Library coming out of the ground. Foundations are poured, restoration of the historic Town Hall is underway, and steel arrives at the end of November. This is a very exciting time for the Town of Shelburne, and we are delighted to be partnering with Neagley and Chase as our construction managers. Projects like these are complex, integrated efforts that extend beyond the architect and constructor. For this project, our committed client, many of whom are volunteers; our consulting engineers from Engineering Ventures, and LN Consulting, CX Associates, Zero by Degrees, Energy Balance, Barbara Doyle-Wilch (Library Consultant), S.W. Cole; and a huge array of subcontractors from almost every discipline, and Efficiency Vermont contribute to the big push making it all happen. We look forward to celebrating this effort and the opening of this facility in late Spring 2019. (Drone Photo by Neagley & Chase, Evan Douglas)

Megan Nedzinski Instrumental in AIA Ethics Code Updates

Recent updates to the AIA Code of Ethics include new, enforceable rules regarding an architect’s responsibility for the environment. Divided into six “Canons”, the Code of Ethics describes an architect’s obligations to various entities: the client, the public, and so forth. Updates to the Code regarding the environment fall under two Canons. Canon II – Obligations to the Public, now requires architects to inform clients of the potential environmental effects of their projects. Canon VI – Obligations to the Environment, stipulates that architects must consider environmental consequences as they work through design decisions with their clients. Additional standards in Canon VI outline environmental considerations that architects should take into account, including reducing greenhouse gases; conserving water; choosing materials that minimize toxins, pollutants, and waste; protecting habitats and natural ecosystems; and preparing for the adverse effects of climate change.

From the initial concept through adoption, the entire process spanned about two years. “While we weren’t successful in advancing all of the language and goals we set out to include, it was a successful and rewarding process in which I saw myself personally grow as a more mature collaborator and effective consensus builder,” says Megan. “It was a pleasure to work directly with such talented national and regional leaders and was refreshing to advance such a ‘big idea’ into codified language for our profession.” Click for more information about the new rules or to read the AIA press release.

Armory Lane Family Housing Project

Considers Exterior Elevation Options

We are moving through the design development phase for the Armory Lane Senior Housing proposed for Vergennes, Vermont. The design of this 24-unit apartment building is an important design challenge as we balance precious funding dollars with creating a building that fits the context of its historic “Little City” yet reflects its own time and future. Jean and Sam have been playing with rendering styles and options for presentation to our clients Housing Vermont and Addison County Community Trust. Which of the options below do you like?

Cornwall Retreat: Beauty in Simplicity

For nearly two years, VIA has been working with a client on the design of a family retreat in Cornwall. With beautiful views of the Green Mountains, the property consists of a main house, a new guest house, an historic barn rebuilt for events, and landscape and other facility improvements.

The new guest house builds on the practical form of the Vermont vernacular farmhouse. Retaining the compact efficiency of form found in Vermont farmhouses, the home is zoned to take advantage of inspiring long views of the mountains and the subtle near views of the meadows and hedgerows. Each zone inside the home connects directly to exterior spaces with matching function.

Drawing inspiration from the Shakers’ attention to simple forms and elegant details, the interior lets the inherent beauty of natural materials speak for themselves. A simple and open ‘great room’ serves as the social core of the house, while a variety of semi-public spaces provide a buffer to the quieter bedrooms. Dynamic natural light and sectional shifts provide cues to transitions inside the home and a sense of discovery and play guides circulation and storage. For more images, visit our website. (Images by Ryan Bent)

VIA Partners With Other Architects

Collaboration with other architects offers the opportunity to share expertise and learn about different approaches to design. Over the years, VIA has enjoyed fruitful collaborations with many architects on a variety of projects. We value these relationships and experiences as opportunities to learn from each other and share our knowledge about design, construction, and sustainability strategies. Currently, Ashar is assisting Susan Coddaire of studiob architecture with the design of Petra Cliffs’ new climbing gym in Burlington. Together they are working through project specifications and exterior wall details; and Ashar will assist in construction administration. “Working with Susan has enabled me to examine how our own specifications and details can be more refined,” Ashar commented. “It is always interesting and instructive to see how another designer tackles a particular problem or approaches the design process.”

Jean has been working with an out-of-state architect on a personal project in Middlebury. In addition to navigating local code regulations, Jean built on the architect’s schematic design and brought it through Design Development and Construction Documentation, with attention to High Performance energy goals. She is also helping oversee construction. In addition, we often collaborate with architects as client representatives or on municipal committees or boards. We have learned much from fellow architects over the years and believe the projects we have shared are better for our collective wisdom. And, we have made many friends.

VIA Employees in the Community

As mentioned in previous newsletters, VIA contributes to our community through pro bono work, monetary donations, and firm volunteering days. The community spirit that drives VIA as a firm extends from our employees, who serve their respective communities in myriad ways.

ASHAR is the co-chair of the Middlebury Town Forest Planning Grant Steering Committee, serves as Treasurer of the Addison County Bike Club, offers on-call architectural support to the Charter House Coalition, is a trained and certified sawyer through the USFS Sawyer Program, and enthusiastically participates in Green Up Day every year. He recently stepped down from the Town Hall Theater Board of Directors and the Agricultural Practices Committee of the Middlebury Climate Economy Initiative.

ANDREA is a past board member and newsletter writer for AIA Vermont. She also participated for several years on the Board of the Acorn Renewable Energy Cooperative. Currently Andrea is serving as Board Chair of the Bridge School in Middlebury and is excited to be leading the board as it opens a Pre-School program in early 2019. She is also Co-Chair of the Middlebury Climate Economy Capacity Task Force.

JEAN is a former member of the Cornwall Planning Commission, has donated design services for multiple Addison County Habitat for Humanity houses, and guided the construction of the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society building as chair of the building committee from 2003-2009.

MEGAN serves as the AIA Vermont President and is Co-Chair of the Committee on the Environment (COTE). She is also the Vermont state advocacy leader and the liaison to AIA National COTE. She is a member of the Starksboro Energy Committee and the Jerusalem Community Center Committee. In addition to teaching a course at Yestermorrow Design/Build School, Megan routinely volunteers as a reviewer or critiquing/jury member as well. This year, she is part of the NESEA Building Energy Boston Conference Content Committee.

SAM serves on the Middlebury Planning Commission.

NICK volunteers with the Bristol Trails Network and the Addison County Bike Club.

JESSE serves on the Lions Club Board of Directors and is Chair of Marketing and Communications. He is also on the Middlebury Underground Board of Directors and offers design critique for architecture students at Norwich University and Middlebury College. He designed a house for Habitat for Humanity and looks forward to mentoring at the Hannaford Career Center Maker Space.

JOHN is head selectman for the town of Landgrove and serves on the Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad and Technical Rescue Department. He sits on the board of the New England Nordic Ski Association and the Northshire Area Trails System. John also coaches the West River Nordic ski program in Londonderry and varsity Mountain Biking at Burr and Burton.

GWEN is a founding member of the Weybridge Energy Committee and the Editor of the Weybridge town newsletter, By The Wey. She frequently volunteers at the elementary school and recycling center in Weybridge and participates in numerous service opportunities with the Middlebury Congregational Church.

Film Screening Draws a Crowd

Earlier this month, VIA hosted a screening of the film Burned: Are Trees the New Coal?, a sobering documentary about the biomass industry. More than fifty people gathered in Unity Hall at Middlebury Congregational Church to watch the film and participate in a discussion with the film's associate producer, Chris Hardee.

8th Annual Holiday Open House - December 6th!