This energy efficient farm house, “Night Pasture
Farm”, won the People’s Choice Award at the 2013 American Institute of Architects NH Excellence in Architecture
Design Awards Ceremony in Bedford, NH on January 11, 2013.
Each entry was judged on overall design excellence including aesthetics, clarity, creativity, appropriate functionality, sustainability, building performance, and appropriateness with regard to fulfilling the client's program. The entries are previewed in the January/February 2013 issue of NH Home Magazine.
Timber frame
company: Vermont Timber Works
Photographer: John W. Hession,
Advanced Digital Photography
Principal
Partner and Architect
Jeremy Bonin describes the project: “The clients sought a unique home; a timber
frame yet not ‘barn like’. They felt posts should feel like trees and support
the roof overhead, like a forest grove. They preferred connected spaces for
entertaining and appreciating the view. The floor plan has an
open kitchen, dining, and living space which center around the hearth and
chimney. It is quite open and inviting.”
“The chimney
and timber frame define, enclose and shelter the space similar to the tree
canopy the clients described. The first floor contains living areas as well as
laundry, master suite, pantry and a half bath. The second floor has two
bedrooms, bath and an office/loft overlooking the great room. Space over the
garage was utilized for the client’s second love: music,” continues Bonin
Architects Principal Partner Kimberly Bonin.
Sustainable
Design Elements include a continuous high R-value envelope of structural
insulated wall and roof panels (R-26 and R-39 respectively), radiant floor
heating, passive heating and cooling (no AC), HRV for ventilation, and
maximized locally sourced materials that are durable and maintainable.
The home is
a timber
frame and structural insulated panel (SIPs) structure with SIPs and the
central fireplace engineered as contributing structural elements. The main post
formations are independent of the exterior walls lending an organic feel to the
frame while defining interior space. The use of keyed beams and steel
connections are expressed as necessary structural elements and highlighted as
architectural art rather than concealed.
The home
found its name “Night Pasture Farm” after the owner found out his neighbor’s
grandfather was the original owner of the land, a 1200 acre working farm, and
they were building the new home right on the pasture his grandfather’s cows
loved and where they spent their overnights.
Photos of this project can be found on Bonin Architects & Associates website.
