According to the State of Vermont website, over 30,000 buildings, structures, and archeological sites are listed in the Vermont State Register of Historic Places. More than 11,000 of the buildings are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

What are some of the iconic structures, styles, and movements that figure prominently in Vermont’s architectural history? How do these speak to Vermont tradition, people and culture? How has the architecture of Vermont’s past informed more recent architectural endeavors in the state—particularly the sustainable architecture movement?

Covered Bridges in Vermont

Let’s consider some of the most iconic shapes seen all over the state landscape starting with Vermont covered bridges. According to VisitNewEngland.com, “Few structures combine the architectural ingenuity, economic necessity and romantic idealism better than the covered bridge.” With many built before the wide availability of steel, the covered bridge was the solution to protecting wooden beam components (and travelers on rural roads, in open carriages) from the elements. With a topography featuring many rivers, the durability and functionality of these Vermont bridges were critical. The state of Vermont has an impressive total of 104 covered bridges. If you’re visiting Harry Hunt Architects hometown of Stowe, Vermont, you can admire the architecture of the Stowe Walkway Bridge near the downtown shops. You can also take your car across the historical Gold Brook Bridge.

Vermont Barns

As for the Vermont barn, the timber was locally sourced from Vermont or other nearby New England states. The structures needed to be strong to sustain harsh winds, snow and ice. More importantly, the typical agricultural barn had to protect the valuable livestock within and keep the animals warm yet allow them to breathe. The design of these barns, simple and without ornamentation, permitted them to function well. Since 2009, The Vermont Barn Census has developed data to assess and preserve historical barns. About 3,000 barns have been recorded in the census, confirming the strength and sustainability of these structures. Read more here about preservation grants and progress for historic Vermont barns.

Continuous Architecture Barn / House

A style of farmhouse prevalent in Vermont in the 17th century came to be known as “continuous architecture.” This type of architecture, too, came about in response to the need to design in keeping with climate. Beginning with a farmhouse, connected additions–including barns, workshops, woodsheds and other structures–were made as a family and its livestock numbers grew, so that residents could tend to chores without having to trudge through ice and snow.

Roman Style Vermont Architecture

As early as 1774, Vermont’s residential architecture was influenced by William Pain, a British author who “translated” the style of British architect Robert Adam for the developing U.S. in his book The Practical Builder. As the title implies, it was written for the craftsman (in many cases a “joiner”) and Pain adopted Adam’s style to match the scale and materials of American building. Pain’s style came to be known as the Roman style, distinct from Adam’s Georgian style. Roman style featured lighter designs without the need for the extensive carving details that marked Georgian style.

By 1797, the first American-born joiner, Asher Benjamin, modified Pain’s ideas specifically for use in New England. Again a book written for the craftsman, The Country Builder’s Assistant featured new ideas that became hallmarks of the Federal style. For example, lighter doors and window casings and less embellished moldings marked the Federal style and contrasted with Roman or Georgian style.

Vermont Federal Style Architecture

In time, Benjamin’s ideas became more radical and were spelled out in the American Builders Companion, published in 1806. These designs allowed for more flexible floorplans, with chimneys placed on outside walls, not the center of the house, and featured flat-panel plastered walls above wainscoting. The Federal style was popular in Vermont for about 30 years.

Greek Revival Architecture in Vermont

With the publication of The Practical House Carpenter in 1830, Benjamin introduced a new style: Greek Revival. Interestingly, the book focused solely on designs for doors, entrances, mantels, moldings and other accouterments of house building, but not whole house forms. What transpired was that, in New England, Greek Revival architecture is exhibited more in the details of a house as opposed to shape or form. As a result, both Cape Cod cottages and Vermont continuous architecture farmhouses might both be examples of Greek Revival, depending on aspects of their details. Overall, the style was bolder and simpler than Federal.

In the 1850s, Andrew J. Downing, often described as the first American landscape architect, published a book that truly represented a departure in the way residences were built. Cottage Residences took into account the personal tastes, comfort and family life of the homeowner and established Downing as a residential architect. The book addressed the purposes, layout and aesthetics of the home more than did previous books. Different from Greek Revival, this new Romantic style considered the exterior as much as the interior, offering residents a way to enjoy nature from porches, verandas, and bay windows. The style was popular until the turn of the century, yet its concepts live on today in modern green architecture.

Vermont Villages

To understand the roots of architecture in Vermont and how these set the stage for the state’s sustainable design experts of today, the discussion would not be complete without a nod to Vermont’s villages. As alluded to before, Vermont’s topography played a major role in the evolution of its architecture. No surprise, then, that the landscape had much to do with the shaping of the state’s villages and hamlets. 

What makes these small Vermont communities unique? As the novelist and Vermont enthusiast W.D.Wetherell answered in a story published in The New York Times, “A striking aptness of place—the feeling a village gives that the gentle yet flinty hills have found their perfect human expression. Half by accident, half by necessity, the people who live here have evolved an architecture and villagescape that does not impose upon the land, but complements and enhances it…”

What are the specific characteristics and features of the small Vermont hill village that brought Wetherell to his conclusion? The presence of water, he wrote, was key. Before internal combustion, water (and dam construction) was a necessary source of power. Many villages or strings of villages were built atop a watershed. Every village had a meeting hall for gathering and making connections with one’s neighbors. The homes that were constructed nestled neatly into the hillsides very much in harmony with the enveloping landscape. Interestingly, this is of the utmost importance to an architect focused on designing sustainable homes today. 

Founded in 1791, the same year Vermont joined the union, more than a dozen UVM buildings are among those listed in the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Old Mill, whose cornerstone was laid by the Marquis de Lafayette, the Royal Tyler Theatre designed by the prestigious firm of Andrews, Jaques and Rantoul and the Billings Library, designed by the renowned architect H.H. Richardson.

The Billings Library was named for and funded by Frederic Billings , a native Vermonter and president of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Billings himself had selected the architect and supervised construction of the library. In a letter to the UVM president at the time, he said that the structure’s elements “became the focal features of a compact composition of balanced vertical and horizontal shapes.”

The sandstone material, known for its durability, “is strongly monochromatic, and there is little applied ornament…” he added. In far more recent times, UVM Professor of Historic Preservation, Tom Visser, said Billings “benefits from the clarity and simplicity Richardson perfected” in previous work.

Clarity. Simplicity. Compactness. Balance. Durability. Little applied ornament. Used to describe a Vermont landmark constructed 150 years ago, these words are just as relevant for describing not only the Vermont barn, covered bridge, and the gradual evolution from Roman to less ornamental Romantic house styles, but also the sustainable architecture being designed in Vermont today.

How Does Vermont Keep the Integrity of its Landscape?

Did you know that Vermont is just one of four states that does not permit billboards on its highways, or any road for that matter? This ensures the jaw-dropping vistas of mountains, valleys, meadows and farmland remain unobstructed. How about the fact that Vermont is the first state in the nation to enact a law, Act 148, which makes composting mandatory for everyone? The plan is rolling out in phases and will be fully implemented by 2020. Along with just five other states, Vermont ranks in the highest category for percentage of hybrid and electrical cars on the road. And, although organic farming makes up just one percent of total farmland nationwide, Vermont has the highest relative share of any state—with organic farmland making up 11% of its total 1.25 million farm acres.

But how else does Vermont stay ranked number 1 for sustainability and green culture—especially as it pertains to building design and construction? What role do environmentally friendly architects who build sustainable green homes have in this ranking?

What Does it Mean to Be Sustainable?

In the context of our planet, sustainability is the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting the earth’s natural resources. Sustainability means supporting long-term ecological balance. Vermont, known for its beauty and natural resources, including Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains, and acres and acres of undeveloped fields and forests, has every reason to support sustainable principles. This includes encouraging and supporting architects in Vermont to build sustainably. But what is sustainable architecture?

What is Sustainable (or Green) Architecture?

As defined by the American Institute of Architects, sustainable architecture is, “architecture that performs to its highest design potential: producing not consuming, providing resilient structures and communities, and fostering opportunities for health and well-being.” Although building sustainably, for environmental reasons, has become more of a priority in recent years for many states, Vermont has had this concept ingrained into its culture early on. For hundreds of years, buildings in Vermont had to be designed to be compatible with a harsh climate and undulating landscape. Just think back to those barns and covered bridges we talked about before.

How does Vermont Encourage Architects to Build Sustainably?

The state has recently adopted residential building energy standards so progressive that self-proclaimed “Energy Nerd” Martin Holladay says these standards provide “new evidence that Vermonters are at the cutting edge of building code development and climate change action.” This news shows that sometimes, small states can lead the way, he added. At the Better Buildings by Design conference in Burlington, Vermont, on February 7, 2019, energy code specialist Richard Faesy said, “Vermont has a comprehensive energy plan requiring designing for net-zero by 2030.”

The Vermont Green Building Network brings together people interested in transforming the way structures are built. The group hosts a statewide “Greenest Building Awards Competition” to raise awareness of the achievements being made in Vermont’s leading buildings. The awards recognize exemplary residential and commercial buildings that meet the highest standard of “green” building, including the consideration of energy, water, health, transportation, and affordability.

High-Performance Shell

The “shell” of a building refers to its exterior enclosure. This is the roof, floor, outer walls, windows and doors. A high-performance shell offers a low Home Energy Rating Score (HERS), even before adding a renewable energy feature. The specific HERS rating will vary a bit with climate. As a general rule, the components of a high-performance shell include:

• Super-tight air sealing
• High levels of insulation without breaks  
• Triple glazed windows and doors
• Enhanced moisture protection

Balanced Ventilation

A balanced ventilation system ensures the air inside a home is fresh and healthy. This is a key feature of a modern green residence. While there are a few ways to achieve balanced ventilation, new green homes achieve this through the use of a heat recovery ventilator with two fans. This first fan is used to exhaust stale indoor air, the other to bring in fresh outdoor air. A balance ventilation system removes pollutants in indoor air from cooking and other sources, while silently reclaiming heat energy. For homeowners that means healthy indoor air and low energy bills.

Energy-Efficient Heating & Cooling Systems

It’s easier to heat and cool a house with a high-performance shell than a traditional house. Small, relatively inexpensive “point source” heating and cooling systems can efficiently maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Many such systems use non-petroleum-based energy sources. An electric heat pump is just one example.

Conservation-Friendly Lighting & Appliances

Reductions in energy usage with respect to a home’s appliances can add up to significant savings. A green home will generally be designed to include Energy Star®-rated refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and other appliances. Energy Star is a program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It provides independent-party certification to consumer products that meet certain standards of energy efficiency. Energy Star appliances use up to 50% less energy than traditional appliances. The inclusion of LED and compact fluorescent lighting fixtures in a green home will also help maximize energy efficiency. Typically, a green home will also include water-saving fixtures, such as low-flow toilets.

On-site Renewable Energy

When a home is built with green components right from the start, including a high-performance shell, balanced ventilation, an energy-efficient heating and cooling system, and energy-efficient lighting and appliances, the total energy needs for the home will be significantly lower than the average home. By then installing renewable energy products such as solar panels and wood-pellet boilers, a home can readily achieve net-zero status. A net-zero home produces as much renewable energy as it uses over the course of a year.

Careful Site Selection

In designing a green home, an architect will pay strict attention to the site in order to maximize solar gain and shading, as climate and seasonal demand. Site orientation choices factor into reduced energy bills and family comfort.

Durability is a key benefit of a modern green home. How will your house stand-up to everything nature will throw at it over time? An architect who specializes in green building will select locally-sourced exterior materials to last and in doing so reduce your maintenance chores. In doing so, sustainable architect specialists borrow from the design choices of their forebears in keeping the challenging climate and topography in mind. Green homes are also better suited than typical homes to protect homeowners’ well being during storms or power interruptions. These homes are resilient since their off-site electric power needs are minimal.

Healthy Air Quality

Did you know fumes from cooking, heating, and cleaning products can build up to health-threatening levels in conventional homes?  Bacteria and mold can add to the unhealthy air mix. With a green home—including the balanced ventilation system we talked about before—indoor air pollutants are sent packing and fresh air is pumped in. Homeowners enjoy clean, safe indoor air.  

Improved Comfort & Consistent Temperatures

The high levels of insulation and tight air sealing in a green home mean there won’t be some rooms in the house that are frequently drafty while other rooms are often overly toasty. Superior insulation also offers another pro: improved acoustics. 

Short- and Long-term Financial Gains

With the prices of fossil fuels used in conventional homes continually increasing, it’s even more logical to build a home that is not fossil fuel reliant. In the short term, you’ll save money on energy bills and can take advantage of Vermont’s incentives to pay for energy efficiency improvements. In the long-term, your home will be better valued when it comes time to sell. 

Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard

Vermont has high standards when it comes to being and staying green—and this extends into the arena of renewable energy.  The Vermont Renewable Energy Standard (RES) was enacted in 2015, mandating that electric utility companies procure specific amounts of renewable energy and support customers to upgrade to less energy-zapping systems and appliances. Undoubtedly, the RES was one of the metrics that factored into WalletHub’s ranking Vermont the Number 1 green state.

The RES categorizes utilities into three distinct tiers, I, II, or III. A utility company’s tier designation determines what percentage of its total retail electric sales must derive from renewable energy.  For example, Tier I providers were required to have 55% of their electric sales be from any source of renewable energy by 2017.  For every year going forward Tier I utilities are required to increase that percentage by 4% every three years, until reaching 75% in 2032. The requirements for Tiers II and III are more complex; purchases from new distributed renewable generation are required as are options for reducing fossil-fuel consumption.

Solar Incentives

Vermont is a national leader in solar energy, giving homeowners all the more reason to build new green homes or modify existing ones to include solar features. While homeowners in all U.S. states benefit from the federal Investment Tax Credit for installing solar energy equipment, Vermont has additional incentives for going solar—including equipment and property tax exemptions and the ability to sell back electricity. Solar data for Vermont shows that as of June 2019, the average cost for a residential solar energy system is $13,000 – $19,000. This cost is calculated before taking into account the 30% federal tax credit or any of Vermont’s own incentives. The breakeven point on the upfront cost is, on average, 8.4 to 11.4 years. Savings, on average, total $26,000 over a 20-year period.

Efficiency Vermont

Efficiency Vermont, an energy efficiency resource created by the state, is the first of its kind in the nation. The organization promotes energy efficiency across the entire state of Vermont, by collaborating with utilities, builders, architects, manufacturers, and retailers to provide services to both homeowners and businesses. Efficiency Vermont performs energy assessments and post-construction performance testing, offers unbiased advice on appliances and heating and ventilation equipment, and provides rebates for energy-savings related installations. 

As explained earlier, a high-performance shell is important in the energy-efficient home equation. Efficiency Vermont offers a 50% rebate to homeowners through its Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program involving the installation of state-of-the-art air sealing and insulation. When you work with a Vermont sustainable architect-specialist, s/he will explain how a high-performance shell will lay the groundwork for building a truly green home, with superior health and comfort benefits, while explaining how best to use the rebates offered by Efficiency Vermont. 

A good place to look for an architect that will know the specifics of all Efficiency Vermont has to offer would be one within the Efficiency Excellence Network (EEN). Efficiency Excellence Network (EEN) members are independent businesses/contractors committed to providing their customers with the highest level of professional energy efficiency services. Many, including architects, electricians, and HVAC specialists, are already experts in technologies and sciences that make buildings more energy-efficient, but in joining the EEN they obtain training in the most recent discoveries and access to exclusive incentives and support from Efficiency Vermont. Harry Hunt Architects was the first residential architecture firm to complete training for and join the EEN.

How is Vermont Taking Action to Reduce CO2 emissions?

In recent years, Vermont joined eight states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions to form the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The first mandatory program of its kind in the country, the initiative’s goal is to cap and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, also known as greenhouse gases, created by the power sector. As many of us acknowledge these days, greenhouse gases are a significant contributor to global warming and the endangerment of our planet. The power sector, in burning fossil fuels to make electricity, is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide emissions. A 2019 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed that states in the alliance have drastically reduced their emissions over a 10-year period. Interestingly, many of the states in the alliance were far from the worst offenders to begin with, yet still realized the importance of participating and setting an example from a global perspective. Vermont’s participation in RGGI clearly underscores the state’s dedication to green principles. By continuing to design sustainable buildings, for both the public and private sectors, Vermont architects will support the state’s clean air and renewable energy efforts.

Vermont Architects

According to Vermont’s Office of Professional Regulation, over 1,000 individuals are licensed to practice architecture in Vermont. As with other U.S. jurisdictions, some licensees do not reside in a state but hold licenses in a state in order to work there.  In Vermont, approximately 350 architects are residents. Of these resident architects, a good number are members of the Vermont Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIAVT).

While all Vermont-licensed architects must attend a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their architecture licenses, AIAVT members are required to earn 36 hours in the same period. Since the standards for keeping up with the latest methods, materials, and principles are stricter for AIA members, if you’re considering building a home it’s wise to find an architect through the AIAVT. If you’re thinking about building green in Vermont, look for evidence that an architecture firm specializes in green architecture, such as Harry Hunt Architects.