DESCRIPTION: Designed as a Pilot Home and certified by Vermont Builds Greener, as part of establishing the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Homes model, the LMI Residence offers everything desirable in a small, energy efficient, environmentally friendly home located on a classic site in the heart of Vermont.  The design draws upon a "Big House, Little House, Back House" vernacular of New England, but adds a twist. In order to take advantage of both the solar orientation and a view to the north-east, there is a 30 degree sweep between the Big and the Little House.  The plan provides an open and comfortable living space around a central wood stove, obligatory Vermont mudroom entryway, kitchen/dining area, study, and bath on the ground floor; on the second floor there are three bedrooms and a full bath: all within a total area of 1500 square feet.  Some notable efficient construction techniques include a slab-on-grade foundation, balloon framing, and "optimum value engineering."  Locally sourced materials were used for both framing and finish work.

RATINGS: Vermont Builds Greener certified in 2005 earning 196 Scorecard points; U.S. EPA/DOE ENERGY STAR Home certified by Vermont ENERGY STAR Homes a service of Efficiency Vermont as a 5 Star + home with a Home Energy Index Rating score of 55 points (homes must score 80 points or less to qualify as ENERGY STAR Homes), & certified in compliance with the VT Residential Building Energy Standards.