Sited on the shore of Lake Champlain in Westport, New York, this home of sustainable design is built with local and green materials including FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood. Triple glazed windows further the energy efficiency of this well insulated home. Designed for a family with three children who entertain other families with children, this four-bedroom lake home incorporates spaces where large groups can gather as well as intimate spaces for respite.
Details of shingle, stone, and timber typical of Adirondack architecture tie the house to its site and the region. Local timber framers cut the handcrafted timber porch, pergola, and floor system. The stone fireplace is a central feature of the open first-floor plan. The stone is repeated in the chimney and at the base of the porches.
“We found Joan via an Internet search in 2007 that led to her website. We were immediately struck by her design aesthetic and scheduled a meeting. Joan was thoughtful, thorough and a wonderful listener so we hired her to design a new home for our family on Lake Champlain. The experience was fantastic from beginning to end, and that is especially impressive as most of the work we did with Joan was done remotely. Joan took the time to ask us how we envisioning using all the spaces in our home, and this lead to a wonderful floor plan and most “livable” home while still keeping a modern and clean look. She was always accessible, answered our questions big and small, and explained her ideas thoroughly. We truly cannot recommend Joan Heaton with more enthusiasm!”
Robin and Amin
This new energy efficient, three-bedroom home in Bristol, Vermont, sits on a hill taking advantage of southern exposure and green mountain views. The house is built on the foundation of an older cabin. We dismantled the cabin and salvaged as many materials as possible. The design of the new Vermont farmhouse allows for single level living on the first floor with additional space in the basement and on the second floor for numerous guests. The house serves as a gathering place for three generations of family and showcases the owner’s many antiques and collections. A new chimney for the fireplace also accommodates a renewable heat source in the form of a wood-burning boiler.
On the exterior, a white oak timber framed deck, reminiscent of the old cabin, wraps the house on three sides and creates outdoor rooms on all exposures. Occupants can move around the house with the sun. Cedar siding from the cabin was milled into exterior trim.
The brick fireplace in the living room was salvaged from the original cabin. A timber framed ceiling of local Hemlock and flooring of antique heart pine complement the fireplace. The milk painted cedar wainscoting in the entry was also salvaged from the cabin.
“My new house was finished just about 6 years ago and I have loved every minute I have spent in it. I can’t speak highly enough of architect Joan Heaton. I had never done a building project before and she made the experience a joy. She is everything you would want in an architect. She listened and truly understood what I wanted. She was patient. She was creative in both design and budgeting; firm when she needed to be and flexible when necessary. She introduced me to the builder I hired and we made a great team. I was not in the area when the construction was going on and I trusted Joan completely to oversee the progress; communicate with me when necessary, and make small decisions without me. She totally earned that trust. I would recommend her to anyone.”
Missy
Nestled in a sloping, wooded Vermont site, this three-story house makes efficient use of space by sitting on a small footprint. The finished basement serves as the study; open kitchen, living and dining areas occupy the first floor and two bedrooms and a bath are tucked under the roof. A mudroom, pantry, laundry, root cellar, ample closets and built-in storage help this small house function smoothly. The wrap around entry porch does double duty by providing covered storage for firewood. This well insulated home is sited for passive solar and is heated primarily with wood.
Architectural salvage is incorporated into the design and adds texture to the light filled spaces. The patina on an old column near the kitchen compliments the cherry cabinets and concrete countertops with integral sink.
Vernacular architecture is the traditional historic architecture of a region. This “New Vernacular” home builds upon this tradition by incorporating modern sensibilities. The design of this one-bedroom home in Middlebury, Vermont combines traditional forms derived from neighboring houses with lofty, contemporary interior spaces and details. Large windows grouped at the corners of the house create an open and airy feel and bring light into the two-story living room, kitchen and loft above. Warm wood ceilings milled from native white pine and custom steel railings complete the contemporary look. Less visible is the radiant heat beneath the floors and the insulation of recycled newspaper dense packed into the walls and ceilings which contribute to the energy efficiency of this small home.
This four-bedroom rustic contemporary home and garage of new construction occupy an east-facing slope near Sugarbush Ski Area. Adjacent to the ski slopes, it is the perfect location for an active family of four. Access to the trails is by means of a communal snow cat.
The house is clad in wood shingles and rough sawn cedar siding and trim. A concrete and stone patio wraps the southeast corner and anchors the house to the site. Windows in the family room, dining room, and den are pushed to the corners to take advantage of light and views. The main living space and one (guest) bedroom are located on the first floor. The family room features a large stone fireplace and timbered ceilings.
“Joan Heaton designed and oversaw the build of our Vermont ski home. She listened to every request/requirement we discussed and brought it all together in a spectacular plan that met both our needs and style. The space, textures, and colors are all perfect! We love our house and look forward to every minute we spend there. Joan was a pleasure to work with.”
Erin and John