BRATTLEBORO-The team behind the renovation of the long-dormant DeWitt Block on Flat Street was among 13 firms honored for energy leadership at Efficiency Vermont's annual Better Building by Design (BBD) conference, held April 2–3 in South Burlington.
The event brought together design professionals, leaders in building construction, and experts in climate workforce trades. With a theme of "2030 on the Horizon: Assessing Vermont's Vision Versus Reality," attendees gathered to discuss the latest in efficiency practices and technologies, build new relationships and professional connections, and share insights and experiences through nearly 50 sessions and workshops.
Thirteen "Best of the Best" awards were given out to builders, architects, designers, and HVAC and plumbing installers for leading the way in energy efficient buildings and innovative and sustainable designs.
The full gut rehab of the DeWitt Block, owned by Community Development Support Inc., was honored in the "Residential New Construction - Multifamily - Gut Rehab Large Project" category.
Key partners on the project included Brattleboro Savings & Loan, M&T Bank, Vermont Housing Finance Agency, Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development, M&S Development LLC, Stevens & Associates PC, Engelberth Construction Inc., Vermont Housing & Conservation Board, Northern Border Regional Commission, Vermont State Housing Authority, and Green Mountain Power.
Built as a grocery warehouse around 1900, the 16,224 square foot DeWitt Block rehab project was designed as an adaptive reuse of the four-story brick building.
It includes co-working office space on the first floor, and a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments on the second, third, and fourth floors for a total of 15 housing units.
The housing units benefited from substantial renovations, including environmental remediation, new insulation and air sealing, new high-efficiency windows, and a rooftop solar panel system.
According to Efficiency Vermont, the all-electric building now meets its high-performance track and received Energy Star and Zero Energy Ready Home certifications thanks in part to Energy Star-rated appliances, LED lighting, and all heating and cooling met via roof-mounted heat pumps.
Each year, BBD gathers participants from among Vermont's 18,000 person-strong clean energy and climate workforce, along with other professionals from around New England, for training sessions and workshops at the two-day conference. Learn more at efficiencyvermont.com/bbd.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.