A dream home design: a kitchen with brown cabinets, white walls, and a beautiful window above the sink.
A bird's eye view of a house with a large amount of land covered in white snow.
A home's back patio during the sunset.
A house's unique ceiling design.
A soon-to-be new construction in Massachusetts.

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Our Services

Design and Construction

Homes are both permanent and eternally transient. If they are well designed and built, they last many lifetimes and become part of the fabric of a family. A well built and comfortable home has the capacity to change and adapt to lifestyle and environmental differences while maintaining its beauty and integrity. We design with intent. Our goal is to maximize your health and comfort while minimizing the impact on the environment.

Consulting

From investigating building failures to specifying heating and cooling equipment, we can answer your building science questions, temperature control questions, and performance questions. We can also help calculate and reduce the operational and embodied carbon of your project.

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Windows are in and Intello is up at our Northampton addition. This week it's insulation time! These are wood, aluminum clad triple glazed #dakowindows . Always love working with @scenicwindowcompany ! Cavity insulation will be dense pack cellulose, w
Windows are in and Intello is up at our Northampton addition. This week it's insulation time! These are wood, aluminum clad triple glazed #dakowindows . Always love working with @scenicwindowcompany ! Cavity insulation will be dense pack cellulose, with 3" continuous wood fiber on the exterior. This will be, by far, the most comfortable room in the house! #highperformancehomes #highperformancebuilding #netzero #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #greenbuilding #prettygoodhouse #gutex
Really enjoying this roof assembly. Vapor open, vented, 20" dense pack cellulose in a parallel chord truss. This starts with a well detailed Intello vapor control layer on the inside, with strapping over it. Then the 20" dense packed trus
Really enjoying this roof assembly. Vapor open, vented, 20" dense pack cellulose in a parallel chord truss. This starts with a well detailed Intello vapor control layer on the inside, with strapping over it. Then the 20" dense packed truss, with Mento1000 as our primary air control layer (lapped over and taped to wall sheathing), another layer of strapping to create the venting space, and Zip decking. This will get a red standing seam roof soon. #highperformancebuilding #netzero #netzeroenergy #designbuild #greenbuilding #homedesign #highperformancehomes #prettygoodhouse #intello #mento
This is the sad result of bad water management detailing. This mudroom addition was less than 20 years old. I have to give the person who built it some credit. They TRIED. THEY WERE SO CLOSE. The whole roof was done in flashing, all lapped correctly
This is the sad result of bad water management detailing. This mudroom addition was less than 20 years old. I have to give the person who built it some credit. They TRIED. THEY WERE SO CLOSE. The whole roof was done in flashing, all lapped correctly, and everything under it was covered in Ice and Water. Unfortunately, they then put about 1000 holes into it when they installed the decking. That gave water an easy path in, leaving all that aluminum flashing and ice and water as a barrier to drying instead of a barrier to entry. The roof was rotted so badly that it was falling in on itself. The walls and even the doors were rotted out. There was nothing to salvage, it all had to go to the landfill. The replacement will be built differently and IT WILL LAST. #highperformancebuilding #buildingscience #netzeroenergy #netzero #netzerocarbon #greenbuilding #watermanagement
Cutting down a piece of salvaged marble countertop for the mudroom bench. Marble is nice and soft. Since the bench is walled in on three sides, we were able to use the already finished edge at the front, and scribe the rest to the lime plaster wall
Cutting down a piece of salvaged marble countertop for the mudroom bench. Marble is nice and soft. Since the bench is walled in on three sides, we were able to use the already finished edge at the front, and scribe the rest to the lime plaster walls with a circular saw and a grinder, finished off with 80 grit sandpaper. #highperformancebuilding #embodiedcarbon #marble #designbuild #netzero #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #limeplaster #salvagedwood
Old intersecting with new in our Hadley woodshop project #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #netzero #highperformancebuilding
Old intersecting with new in our Hadley woodshop project #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #netzero #highperformancebuilding
Roof trusses going up this week at our Northampton sunroom addition. Usually we have a boom truck help us with the lift, but these little guys only weigh about 80# apiece, so we're saving the money and getting the extra exercise 💪 #prettygoodhouse
Roof trusses going up this week at our Northampton sunroom addition. Usually we have a boom truck help us with the lift, but these little guys only weigh about 80# apiece, so we're saving the money and getting the extra exercise 💪 #prettygoodhouse #highperformancebuilding #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #
Kitchen details 😍😍 Concrete countertops @michaelkarmody Cherry cabinets @homestead.heatandhome Lime plaster @limestrong #prettygoodhouse #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #highperformancebuilding #concretecountertops #limeplaster
Kitchen details 😍😍 Concrete countertops @michaelkarmody Cherry cabinets @homestead.heatandhome Lime plaster @limestrong #prettygoodhouse #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #highperformancebuilding #concretecountertops #limeplaster
It lives! Very fitting that I'm enjoying a beautiful day on the lake in Maine while I browse through my new #prettygoodhouse book!
It lives! Very fitting that I'm enjoying a beautiful day on the lake in Maine while I browse through my new #prettygoodhouse book!
Glavel installed at our Northampton addition. A (almost) foam free insulated foundation. The Glavel is large and compacts a lot, so we leveled the top with 2" of stone dust. We used recycled foam around the perimeter of the stone dust to prevent
Glavel installed at our Northampton addition. A (almost) foam free insulated foundation. The Glavel is large and compacts a lot, so we leveled the top with 2" of stone dust. We used recycled foam around the perimeter of the stone dust to prevent the thermal bridge at the top of the wall. This addition will get a double layer of subfloor for a concreteless slab. @villagecarpentryma @glavel_inc #highperformancebuilding #netzero #netzeroenergy #passivehouse #foamfree #designbuild #rareforms #netzerocarbon #embodiedcarbon #foundation
Our barn woodshop project is ready for our other trades. Period appropriate on the outside, completely modern on the inside! #highperformancebuilding #designbuild #sustainablebuilding #efficiency #rareforms
Our barn woodshop project is ready for our other trades. Period appropriate on the outside, completely modern on the inside! #highperformancebuilding #designbuild #sustainablebuilding #efficiency #rareforms
Cabinets are getting installed in Great Barrington. The finish line is visible! Beautiful work by @homestead.heatandhome and install by @vineyard_45
Cabinets are getting installed in Great Barrington. The finish line is visible! Beautiful work by @homestead.heatandhome and install by @vineyard_45
Finally got sheetrock up in Great Barrington. Time to start the #limeplaster with @villagecarpentryma
Finally got sheetrock up in Great Barrington. Time to start the #limeplaster with @villagecarpentryma
The next project! Retrofit a modern woodshop into a 200 year old timber frame barn.
The next project! Retrofit a modern woodshop into a 200 year old timber frame barn.
Last, but not least, we are officially (as of tomorrow) a 1% For The Planet member! Although we were not a member for 2021, we donated a total of 1.25% of our years revenue to charity. We're so excited to be officially involved with @1percentftp for
Last, but not least, we are officially (as of tomorrow) a 1% For The Planet member! Although we were not a member for 2021, we donated a total of 1.25% of our years revenue to charity. We're so excited to be officially involved with @1percentftp for 2022 and beyond. There are remarkably few builders and designers committed to 1%FTP and most of them are outside the US. It's a tough industry, and there are always hard decisions to be made around what to do with any profit. Take the hard decision out of it! Commit to 1% and know that you will make it happen, you will thrive, you will be better for it, and so will our planet and community. Shout out to @mainebeerco for originally exposing me to 1%FTP and always being a good example of what a business can do to enrich it's community. HAPPY NEW YEAR! #bebetter #giveback #triplebottomline #3bl #conciouscapitalism
Day 4! What is the most critical part of any framework for change? EDUCATION. The @hitchcockcenter teaches kids and adults how to develop a deep emotional bond with the natural world that sustains us, and to inspire action to protect our planet. And
Day 4! What is the most critical part of any framework for change? EDUCATION. The @hitchcockcenter teaches kids and adults how to develop a deep emotional bond with the natural world that sustains us, and to inspire action to protect our planet. And they've been doing it for 60 years! We're so lucky to have this great resource in our backyard, and the certified Living Building is a fantastic example of unadulterated best practices. We're so happy to play a part in supporting their mission! #bebetter #giveback #triplebottomline #3bl #conciouscapitalism
Day three! At the intersection of people and planet lies equal access to our outdoor resources. Enter @theventureoutproject , a local (to us) nonprofit increasing access to the outdoors for the queer and transgender community nationwide. We're so sto
Day three! At the intersection of people and planet lies equal access to our outdoor resources. Enter @theventureoutproject , a local (to us) nonprofit increasing access to the outdoors for the queer and transgender community nationwide. We're so stoked to support their mission of outdoor access, and community education around LGBTQ recognition and affirmation. #bebetter #triplebottomline #3bl #giveback #conciouscapitalism
Day two! When we talk about caring and providing for our Planet, it can mean a lot of things. We address it in our everyday work by using local, low carbon, non toxic materials. Leave No Trace addresses it via ethics in the moments when we are most i
Day two! When we talk about caring and providing for our Planet, it can mean a lot of things. We address it in our everyday work by using local, low carbon, non toxic materials. Leave No Trace addresses it via ethics in the moments when we are most intimate with our natural world. We're so happy to have been a partner with @leavenotraceorg in 2021, and look forward to continuing to support their mission in 2022. Their mission is our mission. #bebetter #triplebottomline #3bl #outdoorethics #peopleplanetprosperity #giveback #conciouscapitalism
As a triple bottom line business, we focus on giving back to our community and planet wherever possible. We donate our time and make informed choices in our every day business practices, but we also give back financially to the organizations that sup
As a triple bottom line business, we focus on giving back to our community and planet wherever possible. We donate our time and make informed choices in our every day business practices, but we also give back financially to the organizations that support our mission and our community. For the last five days of the year, we'd like to highlight the five non-profits that we supported this year. @neseaorg is at the foundation of our business model. Between the annual Building Energy Boston conference, Pro Tours, and the Bottom Lines community, they provide a constant flow of the finest information, education, and support. We're SO pleased to be able to support this spectacular organization beyond our membership dues. Thank you so much to all the wonderful people at NESEA that support us in our mission to #bebetter. #triplebottomline #3bl #giveback #community #peopleplanetprosperity
New meets old. Gutex going up on the 200 year old timber frame section. It's nice not worrying about blowing tiny pieces of foam everywhere! #gutex #woodfiber #hempcrete #hemplime #netzero #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #netzerohome #naturalbuilding
New meets old. Gutex going up on the 200 year old timber frame section. It's nice not worrying about blowing tiny pieces of foam everywhere! #gutex #woodfiber #hempcrete #hemplime #netzero #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #netzerohome #naturalbuilding
The snow is here! Fortunately it's warm inside 🔥
The snow is here! Fortunately it's warm inside 🔥
Windows are in and Intello is up at our Northampton addition. This week it's insulation time! These are wood, aluminum clad triple glazed #dakowindows . Always love working with @scenicwindowcompany ! Cavity insulation will be dense pack cellulose, w Really enjoying this roof assembly. Vapor open, vented, 20" dense pack cellulose in a parallel chord truss. This starts with a well detailed Intello vapor control layer on the inside, with strapping over it. Then the 20" dense packed trus This is the sad result of bad water management detailing. This mudroom addition was less than 20 years old. I have to give the person who built it some credit. They TRIED. THEY WERE SO CLOSE. The whole roof was done in flashing, all lapped correctly Cutting down a piece of salvaged marble countertop for the mudroom bench. Marble is nice and soft. Since the bench is walled in on three sides, we were able to use the already finished edge at the front, and scribe the rest to the lime plaster wall Old intersecting with new in our Hadley woodshop project #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #netzero #highperformancebuilding Roof trusses going up this week at our Northampton sunroom addition. Usually we have a boom truck help us with the lift, but these little guys only weigh about 80# apiece, so we're saving the money and getting the extra exercise 💪 #prettygoodhouse Kitchen details 😍😍 Concrete countertops @michaelkarmody Cherry cabinets @homestead.heatandhome Lime plaster @limestrong #prettygoodhouse #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #highperformancebuilding #concretecountertops #limeplaster It lives! Very fitting that I'm enjoying a beautiful day on the lake in Maine while I browse through my new #prettygoodhouse book! Glavel installed at our Northampton addition. A (almost) foam free insulated foundation. The Glavel is large and compacts a lot, so we leveled the top with 2" of stone dust. We used recycled foam around the perimeter of the stone dust to prevent Our barn woodshop project is ready for our other trades. Period appropriate on the outside, completely modern on the inside! #highperformancebuilding #designbuild #sustainablebuilding #efficiency #rareforms Cabinets are getting installed in Great Barrington. The finish line is visible! Beautiful work by @homestead.heatandhome and install by @vineyard_45 Finally got sheetrock up in Great Barrington. Time to start the #limeplaster with @villagecarpentryma The next project! Retrofit a modern woodshop into a 200 year old timber frame barn. Last, but not least, we are officially (as of tomorrow) a 1% For The Planet member! Although we were not a member for 2021, we donated a total of 1.25% of our years revenue to charity. We're so excited to be officially involved with @1percentftp for Day 4! What is the most critical part of any framework for change? EDUCATION. The @hitchcockcenter teaches kids and adults how to develop a deep emotional bond with the natural world that sustains us, and to inspire action to protect our planet. And Day three! At the intersection of people and planet lies equal access to our outdoor resources. Enter @theventureoutproject , a local (to us) nonprofit increasing access to the outdoors for the queer and transgender community nationwide. We're so sto Day two! When we talk about caring and providing for our Planet, it can mean a lot of things. We address it in our everyday work by using local, low carbon, non toxic materials. Leave No Trace addresses it via ethics in the moments when we are most i As a triple bottom line business, we focus on giving back to our community and planet wherever possible. We donate our time and make informed choices in our every day business practices, but we also give back financially to the organizations that sup New meets old. Gutex going up on the 200 year old timber frame section. It's nice not worrying about blowing tiny pieces of foam everywhere! #gutex #woodfiber #hempcrete #hemplime #netzero #netzeroenergy #netzerocarbon #netzerohome #naturalbuilding The snow is here! Fortunately it's warm inside 🔥