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Front PageReal Estate NH Architect Jeremy Bonin Discusses Long-Term Benefits to Building a Green Home
NH Architect Jeremy Bonin Discusses Long-Term Benefits to Building a Green Home
Written by Kimberly Bonin
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Timber Homes Illustrated magazine interviews NH Architect Jeremy Bonin for insight on building a green home, elements of energy efficient home design, and the cost versus benefits of building green.
NH green architect Jeremy Bonin wrote an article on energy efficient home design for the September 2008 Special Green Issue of Timber Homes Illustrated, a premier timber frame home trade publication.In the article “Simply Green”, Bonin was asked to define common terms used in green building and sustainable design, offer some simple solutions for building a green home, and discuss the costs versus long-term benefits of sustainable design.
Bonin, a member of the AIA and a LEED Accredited Professional (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), recommends the basic considerations – or the most crucial elements – consumers and architects can incorporate into their plans for an energy efficient home are “to start with the simple solutions – they have the highest return on investment.If you can build less square footage than originally intended without sacrifice to the program, then less future costs will be required in maintenance or energy usage. Passive solar design, regional materials and a more efficient building envelope are the best places to start as well.
As to the relationship between sustainability and timber frame homes, Jeremy adds, “There is a natural fit with timber frame and SIPs (structural insulated panel) homes and green design. The timber frame addresses quality issues; in some cases it brings warmth to the house that a client is seeking. The timber frame aids in delineating spaces and gives an order and rhythm to the home, while the SIPs address the efficiency of the home.”
Most importantly, says Bonin, is the site selection and site design.“If at all possible, consult with an architect prior to purchasing your land. Have your designer visit the property with you, as solar access and topography may substantially alter what you envision for your home or conversely may offer opportunities that may not have been readily apparent. In either case, the more knowledge and resources that are known and available in the earliest stages of design, the better the end result will be.”
About Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP: Jeremy Bonin, a principal partner of Bonin Architects & Associates, is an award-winning architect and the author of TIMBER FRAMES: Designing Your Custom Home (available on Amazon.com), which was written to help homeowners become fully involved in the design of their new timber frame or post and beam home.Jeremy has a special interest in sustainable design, specializing in timber framing and structural insulated panels (SIPs) while incorporating other sustainable (green) energy practices, including geo-thermal, solar, radiant heat, and energy-efficient foundation systems.Bonin Architects & Associates also provides project management services, which includes working with clients to determine budget requirements, determining material choices and product specifications for quotes, providing an apples-to-apples manufacturer bid comparisons, and working with the general contractor throughout the construction process.
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