A project created by a three design/build team at a Middlebury architecture firm was among three projects honored at the 10th annual Vermont’s Greenest Building Awards, hosted recently by the Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN).

The projects received awards for achieving the highest standard of demonstrated building energy performance for commercial and residential buildings and documentation of green building strategies including health, transportation, water and affordability.

“It is wonderful to recognize the innovation, talent and creativity building professionals are bringing to their projects,” said VGBN Executive Director Jenna Antonino DiMare. “I am proud of the outstanding work our Vermont green building community is doing to push the market towards more sustainable building practices.”

The 2021 winners were celebrated during the Vermont Green Building Celebration webinar event hosted by VGBN on April 13, featuring keynote speaker Sue Minter. Winning buildings were showcased as inspirational, model green buildings that create a new standard for environmentally responsible building in Vermont.

The local winner was Vermont Integrated Architecture.

The 2021 Vermont’s Greenest Building Award winners are:

Vermont’s Greenest Building Award and Net Zero Award | Residential: Maple Hill Passive House

This project, submitted by Montpelier Construction, is a PHIUS certified, 1200-square-foot, one-level home with continuous heat recovery balanced ventilation resulting in extremely healthy indoor air quality. This net zero home has a small 6.46 KW roof-mounted solar array that produces more energy than the building uses, and the home used low-embodied carbon building materials. Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 9 kBtu/sf/yr.

Builder: Montpelier Construction.

Designers: Matthew Lutz + homeowners.

Vermont’s Greener Building Award | Residential: Slope House

This project, submitted by Vermont Integrated Architecture, is a modern home with stunning views of Mad River Glen. The 15% south-facing slope offers perfect passive solar exposure. The home has two heat pumps — a single head on the main level and a mini-ducted on the lower level — that work to heat and cool the home, which is built to near passive house standards. Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 13 kBtu/sf/yr.

Architect: Vermont Integrated Architecture.

Builder: Shelterwood Construction.

“SLOPE HOUSE,” COMPLETED by Middlebury’s Vermont Integrated Architecture in 2020, recently won Vermont’s Greener Building Award by the Vermont Green Building Network.

Vermont’s Going Green Building Award | Residential: Ames Hill Passive

This project, submitted by studioWEBSTER, is a single-family home designed and built in Marlboro for a family of five. Built up to Passive House standards, the home features local materials including wood harvested onsite and tiles handmade by the owners. The home uses an all-in-one Minotair for HVAC and has a hand-crafted, locally sourced Gryphon door insulated with sheep wool. Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 26 kBtu/sf/yr.

Architect: studioWEBSTER.

Project Management: HELM Construction Solutions.

Contractor: Mathes Hulme Builders.