Affordable Urban Vermont Home Open House and COTS Benefit
Burlington, Vermont
Excitement has been building over the new house on Chase Street and is about to be unveiled to the public. An open house is planned for Thursday, July 8, 2010 from 4PM - 7PM and Saturday, July 10, 2010: 9AM – 2PM.
The dramatic new home being built on the tiny lot overlooking the Winooski River has been an interesting curiosity for almost every biker, pedestrian and driver who has been watching the project’s progression. Therefore, the opportunity to showcase their creation and highlight the home as a model for future affordable urban housing was an easy decision for the team of Christian Brown Designs, RedHawk and KW Designs. The two open houses will also serve as a benefit for Committee for Temporary Housing (COTS).
The concept for the house has been a long time dream for owner Kirk Williams. Originally from Austin, Texas, Williams has been a resident of Vermont since 2001, and has lived both in Morristown and Burlington. Even before opening his metal working studio in the Old North End of Burlington, he knew he wanted to find the right location to build a home and use it to also showcase his metalsmithing skills. The small lot overlooking the Winooski River was the perfect spot. Many of the finishing touches, from the custom interior and exterior railings, to the sliding wall partitions, and the steel frame for a solar shading screen above the large south-facing window on front of house represent, his skilled craftsmanship.
Collaborating with Christian Brown, a Jericho, Vermont architect and Mark Bonser, owner of the professional construction management firm RedHawk Limited, to oversee the project has been a good match. Each member of the team has seen the project, as not only an opportunity to work on a creative house, but one that emphasized their particular talents. The creative problem solving approach was applied to all aspects of the dwelling; from the 8000 pound concrete piers used for the postage sized lot to a design to maximize the feeling of spaciousness in the 500 square foot studio apartment and the 1200 square foot owner’s apartment.
The result of the three working together is a rather special home, from the aspect of design, materials used, and the method of construction. A pre-cast foundation and a steel I-beam super structure, engineered lumber, rubber membrane roofing material, ultra high efficient foam insulation, on-demand tankless water heater, are some of the features incorporated into a personality-plus, open loft-like space, flooded with natural light and abundant ventilation. A home designed and built for a cost within the range of a middle-income family.
Affordable contemporary urban housing in Vermont? Yes, in Burlington and open to the public on Thursday, July 8, 2010 from 4PM - 7PM and Saturday, July 10, 2010: 9AM – 2PM.
For house specifications, images, or further Information, contact: Lorna-Kay Peal, 802.598.5342
Download PDF press release here
Creative Team Designs and Builds Affordable Urban Vermont Home
Burlington, Vermont
What happens when you combine a local artist who dreams of an affordable house with an industrial feel in an urban setting, an architect with a desire for more contemporary house design in Vermont, and a construction management firm for planning, establishing budgets and timelines, and who brings together a network of local professionals? You get what you want in Burlington, Vermont.
The high cost of housing for the middle class in Vermont is a serious topic in many circles. It is seen as a major deterrent to encourage skilled workers to the state, having the potential for serious economic growth problems. This challenge was one of the many reasons it has taken the thinking and planning for the new house on Chase Street in exciting, new directions. The team looked at the situation as an opportunity to highlight each of their professional skills and resources. The creative problem solving approach was applied to all aspects of the dwelling; from the 8000 pound concrete pilings used for the postage sized lot to a design to maximize the feeling of spaciousness in the 500 square foot studio apartment and the 1200 square foot owner’s apartment.
But no new home in Vermont would be successful without being energy efficient, easy to maintain, and a maximum use of sustainable and green materials. This house meets all those criteria.
Over the past few years, Kirk Williams, a Vermont metal smith, had collaborated with Christian Brown, a Jericho, Vermont architect and furniture designer, on several residential and commercial projects. Williams decided that Brown might be the perfect architect to help him design and build his small-house dream. The two meshed their ideas, and
then called upon Mark Bonser, owner of the professional construction management firm RedHawk Limited to oversee the project.
The result of the three working together is a rather special home, from the aspect of design, materials used, and the method of construction. A pre-cast foundation and a steel I-beam super structure, engineered lumber, rubber membrane roofing material, ultra high efficient foam insulation, on-demand thankless water heater, are some of the features incorporated into a personality-plus, open loft-like space, flooded with natural light and abundant ventilation. A home designed and built for a cost within the range of a middle-income family.
The trio plans to showcase the house in July and invite professionals and the public for special viewings. This is not your typical Vermont house in any way, shape or even materials. Perhaps a new Vermont urban vernacular has been born.
For house specifications, additional images, or further Information, contact: Lorna-Kay Peal, 802.598.5342
Download PDF press release here