In this rural part of central Massachusetts, winters are long and the cold northwest wind brings plenty of snow. Keeping a house warm and cozy can be expensive. In spite of the challenges, many people who live in this region, including the couple who commissioned this home, love both the area and the traditional New England architecture of older homes found here.
When these clients purchased a 10-acre parcel on a south-facing hillside, they decided to build small cape that has the potential to become a net-zero home with the eventual addition of solar panels. They approached Helga with their ideas, showed her their newly-acquired property, and soon the three were working together to make their dream a reality.
Vernacular Green Design 