March 12, 2009 | Burlington, Vermont

 

South Farm Homes a “net zero” community, in Hinesburg, Vermont, has once again received the Best of the Best Award at the 2009 Better Buildings by Design Conference sponsored by Efficiency Vermont. This year the award was given for the 3rd house to be built in the development, a super green home that has the potential to actually produce as much energy as it uses throughout the course of the year, and does not burn fossil fuel.

Some of the green features of the house include: solar orientation for collecting passive solar heat, photovoltaic solar roof panels, ground water source heat pumps, super efficient exterior walls insulated with cellulose made from recycled newspaper, and triple glazed windows. The development also minimizes sprawl through cluster development, preserves working farm and forest land, and is connected to the local village via bike path.

The project is a collaboration between Rolf Kielman, AIA and Lee Grutchfield AIA of TruexCullins Architects of Burlington Vermont and Reiss Building of Hinesburg, Vermont.

TruexCullins, an award-winning architecture and interior design firm located on Burlington’s waterfront, has been doing business regionally, nationally and internationally for over 40 years.

Photo credit: Susan Teare