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

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

Bonin Architects Wins Two AIANH Excellence in Architecture Design Awards

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

Timber House, Lake Winnipesaukee NH

Our clients designing a timber home in Moultonborough, New Hampshire on Lake Winnipesaukee are continuing in the design process. The timber home totals 3,682 square feet of living space and is built overlooking the lake within the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act guidelines.

The first floor has a spacious master suite, complete with his and her walk-in closets and ample glazing to take advantage of the views of the lake. The timber frame design creates an open floor plan and plenty of space for entertaining.


A large deck on the lake side will be great for summer parties on the lake has a convenient outdoor shower and changing area for guests and grandchildren.
 

The second floor loft overlooks the great room and provides a bird’s eye view of the activity on the lake. Plenty of space is dedicated to recreation on the second floor, including a large media room and loft sitting area. An additional 560 square feet of living space over the garage offers additional space for hobbies, including a computer area, a sitting area for reading, and a large area for crafts. A kitchenette provides easy access to drinks and snacks.

Timber Frame Under Construction

Construction is continuing at our timber home being built in Enfield, NH.  Here is the home with the timber frame exposed and then with SIP panels installed

The roofing is almost complete here.  The homeowners are enjoying being involved in every phase of the construction and are busy making decisions on finish material!

Lunch breaks are taken by the new dock on the lake.  Who wouldn't want a view like this?

Energy Efficient Home Plans

One of our clients is planning to tear down their 1940’s cottage on their lakefront property and build a new energy efficient home in its place. The couple’s goals are to captivate the panoramic views of the lake while incorporating green building materials and a solar energy system to keep the carbon footprint to a minimum and lessen the impact on the environment. Space planning goals include built-ins and plenty of storage.





The cottage features an open floor plan and one floor living. Designed at 2,480 square feet, the cottage has a generous master bedroom suite with large his and her walk-through closets. The master bedroom has plenty of windows to enjoy the view and a built-in cabinet with shelves for storage.

The television is conveniently placed in a built-in entertainment center, which can store DVD’s, CD’s and games, and a gas fireplace with wood surround and mantle. Double doors open to a screened porch and access to the lake. The entry has both a coat closet for guests and storage under the stairs, which will come in handy for keeping seasonal items and holiday decorations.

A U-shaped kitchen is an efficient design for this space, remaining open to the living and dining areas. A large walk-in pantry is useful for storing appliances and larger items and is conveniently located near the garage for unloading groceries from the car. The laundry room is large enough to do the ironing, and includes a closet for hanging clothes and storing supplies.

The one-car garage is efficient in design. The mechanical room is spacious and has double doors which will make it easy to install a boiler, generator, and solar hot water heating system.

The second floor has two large bedrooms and a full bath -- plenty of room for grandchildren visiting during summer vacation. The bedrooms have built-ins in addition to closet space for storage. An office can double as an additional bedroom if needed and also includes a built-in with shelves and drawers.


If you are planning to build an energy efficient home, work with green architects Bonin Architects to design your home. We'll will combine your wants, needs, and aspirations with your goals of energy efficiency and sustainability to successfully match your project objectives. Working with an experienced architect is well worth your investment to ensure the end result is exactly what you want!

Timber Home – Lakes Region NH

Our clients in Winnipesaukee are building two homes on their property: one is a timber frame carriage house, which will be built first, and then their main house, which is also a timber home. The design of the main timber house is in the preliminary design phase.

A lower sweeping roof line and dormers on the approach side of the home permit light and views into the property. Satisfying our clients’ desire to bring the outdoors into the home, we incorporated a tree and timber entry porch to welcome guests.

Once inside, a generous foyer allows for a direct view into the great room and lake beyond.

The Great Room is designed to capture the gorgeous views of the lake while providing a comfortable, open space to read, chat with guests, or relax at the end of a long day.

The kitchen and dining open to the stunning northern mountain views as well as flow freely into the great room and out to the screen porch and deck areas.

The first-floor Master Bedroom suite is designed for convenience with separate walk-in closets and dressing areas for this professional couple. The bath includes a glass walk-in corner shower, whirlpool tub, and double sink – standards in any luxury lakefront home.


A guest suite with two bedrooms and a full bath are located above the Master Suite, primarily because the volume of the house allows for usable and well lit southern space in this area and also creates a more open and flowing loft area.

The second floor kitchenette / loft is a kind of “hub” for the Media Room, offering snacks and drinks. A seating area also allows guests to admire the fantastic northern mountain views and the open space to the Great Room and dining area below. A craft studio doubles as an office with ample enough room along the eastern gable wall for a pair of workstations.

Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act

The Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act (CSPA) helps protect New Hampshire lakes and ponds from erosion and sedimentation as a result of construction and land use activities within 250’ of the shoreline, affecting all homeowners planning to build on or subdivide New Hampshire lakefront property.

The primary purpose of the Act is a good one - to prevent water runoff from going directly into the lake. Excess nutrients in runoff lead to excessive plant and algae growth which eventually starves the lake of oxygen and in turn suffocates fish and other aquatic life. Nutrients and sediment also speed up the lake’s natural aging process, slowly filling it in. Trees and plants at the edge of the lake can filter sediment, soak up nutrients, and protect the lake. One of the focuses of the CSPA is to restrict the number of trees cut near the shoreline.

The Act originally passed the NH Legislature in 1994 and recently went through a stringent reevaluation process to tighten up the laws protecting our lakes and ponds. Amendments were originally scheduled to go into effect April 1, 2008, but due to the complexity of the laws, lawmakers postponed the date to July 1st.

Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth said the changes in the Shoreland Protection Act are difficult to understand and supported the postponement. "Nobody really likes moving legislative deadlines, but for the health of our environment, and the health of our economy, we need to have additional time to solve the ambiguities here and to educate the public.”

Many “gray areas” still exist in the Act and its amendments including restrictions on building size, accessory structures and the amount of clearing that can be done, boathouse construction, and conflicting state vs. town setback requirements.

As a result, many people are coming to us for help in making sure their home plan is in compliance with these regulations. If you are planning to build an energy efficient home on New Hampshire lakefront property, we’re happy to help you get started designing a home plan that meets these amended requirements (along with any other existing regulations), as well as your family’s wants and needs in a primary or vacation home.

Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Green Home Specifications - Sustainable Design and Green Building Materials

Our clients, Pat and Andy Beres (see previous blog), met Green Architect Jeremy Bonin at a timber frame home show and brought him their plans to build a vacation home on their property in Maine. Here is an example of how Jeremy took into consideration Pat and Andy’s ideas, wants, and needs for a green home and translated them into an energy efficient home plan that not only matches their property and location, but defines their lifestyle.

Beres’ green home priorities:
Small footprint to minimize carbon footprint
Energy efficiency in all four New England seasons
Environmentally conscious to minimize site impact
Low maintenance and durability, easy to open and close up
Security in rural setting
Take advantage of lake views
Possible addition in future

Jeremy translated these ideas into an energy efficient home plan and presented it to Pat and Andy. Here is a list of the sustainable design considerations he incorporated, as well as the energy efficient building materials to match their requirements for energy efficiency:

Sustainable design considerations:
· Passive solar design, with the first floor receiving the low winter sun (early morning and late evening sun) under the varied depth of the porch roof. The second floor, with a moderate roof overhang, will always have abundant natural light.
· The east, south, and west elevations have windows for natural cross ventilation. A cupola was added to allow for heat release in summer as well as aesthetics.
· Keeping in mind the clients’ plans to possibly build an addition in the future, Jeremy designed the north side of the building, which is the most buildable side of the property, to be easily expanded. The first floor laundry includes a storage bench under a window, both of which can be easily removed and become a doorway into a future addition.
· An open central stairway eliminates the need for hallways which keeps the footprint of the home to a minimum, as well as increasing circulation and natural light between the floors.
· A natural color palette of browns and greens was chosen for the exterior of the home, blending it with the rugged Maine environment.

Energy efficient building materials for this green home:
· Board and batten and red cedar shingles for low maintenance and are aesthetically appropriate with the property
· Standing seam metal roof for energy efficiency and eliminating snow and ice buildup
· Possible use of structural insulated panels
· Energy efficient windows

Building a green home doesn’t need to be complicated. Start off on the right foot by hiring an architect who will outline sustainable options for your green home and then work with you to design a home that fits your site, your lifestyle, and your budget. The result will be enjoying a healthy, energy efficient home and at the same time protecting the environment.

If you’re looking for some reading material to help you get your ideas together on what you want in a green home, check out Jeremy’s book, TIMBER FRAMES: Designing Your Custom Home. Jeremy leads you through an examination of your lifestyle and provides exercises to help you define your wants, needs, and priorities in your green home. If you are not interested in building a timber frame home, a hybrid home combining timber framing and conventional material may suit your needs for a green home. The exercises and sustainable design advice in Jeremy's book apply to any building methods.

Read more about the Beres' energy efficient home.

Jackie Lampiasi, Marketing Director
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

Energy Efficient Home, East Machias, Maine

The preliminary design phase for Pat & Andy Beres’ energy efficient home plans have been completed for their vacation home to be built on in East Machias, Maine (just a stone’s throw from Canada). We met at the Log & Timber Frame Home Show in Springfield, Massachusetts this spring and had a chance to talk to the couple about their plans to build a small green home for vacationing on beautiful Hadley Lake.

Wanting to build a home that was both energy efficient and comfortable in all seasons, Pat and Andy expressed their desires and ideas with Green Architect Jeremy Bonin and his wife, Executive Project Manager Kimberly Bonin here at our office one weekend in April while they were on their way to Maine.

An existing cabin will remain near the road as guest quarters. The new 1,100 square foot home will be built right on the lake to take advantage of the gorgeous seasonal views and abundant wildlife.

The project’s priorities are energy efficiency, conscientiousness, durability, and security. Jeremy started the preliminary design in keeping with the site, solar access, and building orientation. The entry and kitchen are located on the south-east side of the building, granting easy access to the driveway and unloading of groceries.

Lake views are prominent to the east, south, and west, which coincides nicely with passive solar design considerations and give an excellent opportunity for a continuous porch on these elevations. Placing a minimal amount of windows on the cold north elevation, Jeremy’s intent was to keep the home warm while allowing for a planned future addition on this side.

To keep the building energy efficient, a second floor takes advantage of views from the higher elevation and also to keep the home’s footprint to a minimum, controlling costs and site impact. This divided the program into two floors – the first floor being the public space and the second floor serving as personal space for Andy and Pat.

We'll keep you posted on the progress of this terrific green home in the On The Boards section of our website. Check out the Beres' energy efficient home and other current energy efficient home plans!

Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act

One of the most popular topics of discussion at the Lakeside Living Expo in Gilford, NH last weekend was the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act (CSPA). Several of our new clients from the show are building in the lakes area and will have to abide by these new regulations.

Since Bonin Architects is currently working with clients who have been affected by this legislation, we have, by necessity, become experts in this area. When considering a new timber frame home or energy efficient home design, contacting an architectural firm with licensed staff and construction managers who have experience in this field is imperative. In many cases, plans with the stamp of a licensed design professional (an architect for example) are required to be submitted for record and permits.

The Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act (CSPA) was first enacted in 1994 and states the common view that "the shorelands of [New Hampshire] are among its most valuable and fragile natural resources." RSA 483-B:1. The Shoreland Protection Act has helped maintain clean lakes and rivers by requiring waterfront landowners to keep specific amounts of vegetation, trees and even stones and boulders on their properties, regulating impermeable surfaces such as pavement and restricting the homes placement on the lot. As of July 1st 2008, revised regulations took effect which include a “Natural Woodland Buffer” as well as requirements for shoreline frontage and other critical guidelines. Bonin Architects & Associates can explain these requirements to our clients when we visit your site and take the measurements for the placement of your new green home.

Kimberly Bonin, Executive Project Manager
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC