2025

Vermont’s Greenest Building Award WinnerS

new construction award winning projects

Photo taken by Ryan Bent and courtesy of Vermont Integrated Architecture

2025 Vermont’s Greenest Building Award, High Performing Building Recognition & Low Embodied Carbon Recognition | The Putney School - Hepper House Dorm & Faculty Residence

At the core of the Putney School's mission is developing students who take on leadership roles and physically engage in their community and environment. To help students learn by example, the school is committed to becoming a Net Zero campus, to demonstrate stewardship and model sustainable living. Submitted by Vermont Integrated Architecture - Maclay Studio and Energy Balance, Inc., the design of this new dorm building moves the school closer to this goal. The building is Net Zero-ready, with a high-performance envelope to easily withstand Vermont winters. The energy use is partially offset by solar panels and solar hot water heaters, and large triple-glazed openings prioritize passive lighting. The building features durable, non-toxic, and low embodied carbon materials. The dorm references the Northeastern environment, with cedar siding on the exterior and maple detailing throughout the interior. A large, double-height common room forms the heart of the dorm, with a glulam bridge connecting the wings of the second floor. With this dorm the architects sought to create a home-like environment that is as beautiful as the surrounding woods and mountains.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 19.6 kBtu/sf/yr

Achieving 80% below Dorm Building baseline

Team included:

Photo taken by Ryan Bent and courtesy of Vermont Integrated Architecture

2025 Vermont’s Greenest Building Award, High Performing Building Recognition & Low Embodied Carbon Recognition | The Putney School - Gund House Dorm & Faculty Residence

At the core of the Putney School's mission is developing students who take on leadership roles and physically engage in their community and environment. To help students learn by example, the school is committed to becoming a Net Zero campus, to demonstrate stewardship and model sustainable living. Submitted by Vermont Integrated Architecture - Maclay Studio and Energy Balance, Inc., the design of this new dorm building moves the school closer to this goal. The building is Net Zero-ready, with a high-performance envelope to easily withstand Vermont winters. The energy use is partially offset by solar panels and solar hot water heaters, and large triple-glazed openings prioritize passive lighting. The building features durable, non-toxic, and low embodied carbon materials. The dorm references the Northeastern environment, with cedar siding on the exterior and maple detailing throughout the interior. A large, double-height common room forms the heart of the dorm, with a glulam bridge connecting the wings of the second floor. With this dorm the architects sought to create a home-like environment that is as beautiful as the surrounding woods and mountains.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 20.3 kBtu/sf/yr

Achieving 78% below Dorm Building baseline

Team included:

Image courtesy of Shelterwood Construction

2025 Vermont Green Building Award and High Performing Building Recognition | Bear Den

Submitted by Shelterwood Construction, this private home is tucked up in the woods with exposed ledge coming right down to the back of the home. This home, designed by Kaplan Thompson Architects, features zero fossil fuels, a tight and robust envelope featuring 14" thick dense packed walls, an exterior continuous air barrier, European triple glazed windows, and Mitsubishi heat pumps and an ERV system. The indoor and outdoor spaces blend seamlessly to allow the owners easy transitions into the land that they have cared for over the decades.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 12.2 kBtu/sf/yr

Achieving 77% below Single Family residential baseline

Team included:

Image courtesy of Shelterwood Construction

2025 Vermont Green Building Award | Hillside House

Submitted by Shelterwood Construction, the Hillside House, designed by Joan Heaton Architects was designed for an active family to live and recreate in the heart of the Green Mountains of Vermont. This high performance home is all-electric with a focus on healthy, durable, and low carbon materials being used throughout the project

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 14.4 kBtu/sf/yr

Achieving 72% below Single Family residential baseline

Team included: