11.10 aiaVT Newsletter


Putney School Proves Inspirational for AIAVT/NH Joint Meeting

I’ve never been the star-struck type. But in the late afternoon of October 14, at the commencement of the AIAVT/NH 2nd Annual Joint Event in Putney, Vermont, I realized I’ve simply never been in the right environment.  More...

3rd Annual AIA Vermont Benefit Golf Tournament

For the third year in a row; Architects, Engineers, Vendors, AND contractors all gathered together to form an alliance for the selfless act of others.   More...


Putney School Proves Inspirational for AIAVT/NH Joint Meeting

By Kate Bolton  

I’ve never been the star-struck type. But in the late afternoon of October 14, at the commencement of the AIAVT/NH 2nd Annual Joint Event in Putney, Vermont, I realized I’ve simply never been in the right environment. I stood behind the registration table, heart beating and cheeks flushing, as the room filled with…architects. True confessions: the intellect and collective brain-power represented by the 60-plus architects, engineers, builders, and affiliates that came out for this three-building tour was truly spectacular. Made possible by generous support from sponsors DEW Construction Corporation (general contractor for all three buildings) and Efficiency Vermont, as well as gracious cooperation from The Putney School, the tour offered an exceptional educational experience and was a smashing success.
    We walked across the campus in one sprawling group, admiring the school’s different building styles amidst rolling hills painted with bright fall colors. We made our way down a wooded path to our first stop on the tour, Huseby Hall, a student/faculty dormitory that is at once both modern and rustic. Entering through a beautiful wooden door designed and built by a Putney School math professor/woodworker, we found ourselves in a space that felt more like a tree house than a residential hall. Mac Rood of Bast & Rood Architects laid out the construction documents and answered a multitude of questions concerning the design and functionality of the building before setting the group free to explore. Motifs of stone and natural wood, orchestrated in part by collaborating architect David Sellers, echoed throughout the building, surprising and delighting attendees of all ages as we scampered up the “sculpture” stair and wandered through mosaic and stone archways into bedrooms. The living space was both functional and comfortable, inviting students to enjoy the indoor atmosphere while being constantly reminded of their natural setting. All of the trees that serve structural and decorative purposes in the building were sourced from the campus grounds. 

    Almost reluctantly, we left the cozy interior of Huseby and made our way towards the next stop on the tour. As we passed a small vegetable garden, the Field House and PV array came into view. This net-zero energy structure, designed by Maclay Architects, serves as both a social gathering place and an interactive exercise and recreation hub. Set in the heart of the campus, the building displays the school’s commitment to a sustainable future. When faced with the choice between a less expensive and less efficient building or the net-zero energy design, school leaders chose to increase fundraising efforts in order to pursue a LEED platinum certification rating. According to Putney School Business Manager Randy Smith, this certification is soon to be announced.

The presentation for the Field House was led by Bill Maclay and Bill Gallup of Maclay Architects, with contributions from Andy Shapiro of Energy Balance and Tony Papa of DEW, who weighed in on important construction details. The “living building” boasted a multitude of energy efficient technologies working in unison to assure the highest functionality. Those that most impressed me were the light-reflecting blinds, occupancy-dependent ventilation, and the thermal break pads under the steel structural supports to create the tightest of energy envelopes. With a quick glance at the Energy Data System on display, one can even see the daily and monthly energy production from the solar panels and the usage for each building function—including heating, hot water, lights, and ventilation.

    We ended our tour where we had begun: at the Michael S. Currier Center for visual and performing arts, designed by Charles Rose Architects. The modern structure, inspired by the forms of the White Mountains, boasted a dance studio, yoga studio, gathering and performance hall, as well as extensive display space for student, faculty, and professional artwork. At the end of the night, we gathered in the welcoming entrance hall to enjoy food, drink, and lively conversation.

    These ingenious and innovative buildings serve the Putney School in a variety of ways, and while each aesthetic may be unique, there is an overall sense of unity among them. Throughout the process, architects, engineers, and builders were involved in design charrettes with members of the school community including students, faculty, and staff. The value in the client-side participation is apparent in the care and pride the community takes in the buildings. Not only has the Putney School and everyone involved embraced the building techniques of sustainability, but they have reached deeper into a more holistic sense of what it means for a building, and a community, to function in harmony with its people and place.

Kate Bolton is an intern with AIAVT and is a student at UVM’s Rubenstein School.


3rd Annual AIA Vermont Benefit Golf Tournament

for the Hanne N. Williams Scholar Recognition Fund                By Joe Greene, AIA

For the third year in a row; Architects, Engineers, Vendors, AND contractors all gathered together to form an alliance for the selfless act of others. This year, in the midst of a cool and overcast September day, 83 enthusiastic participants gathered to compete for team and individual awards, raffle prizes and auction items.

Throughout the day, the participants and volunteers demonstrated and maintained a light hearted and warm camaraderie that undoubtedly vetted off the ever looming “Vermont” weather threatening to blanket the course with a cold hard slap of a mid-September rain. Along with the proverbial, “shining moments” exhibited all around the hallowed grounds known as, “THE Country Club of Vermont”, mother nature also smiled down with sporadic rays of warm sunshine.

This year’s event also witnessed a changing of the guard for AIA Vermont. Hanne Williams, Executive Director, AIA Vermont for 40 years, announced her retirement in May 2010. Hanne’s dedicated services began in 1970 and during her tenure she worked with 23 different AIA Vermont Presidents and helped guide thousands of young associates through their career paths. Hanne’s efforts will surely be missed. However, Carol Miklos has stepped in as the new Executive Director of AIA Vermont and this year’s event was a wonderful opportunity for her to meet Chapter members as well as vendors and colleagues. Good luck to Carol.

The scholarship program began in 2007 with a matching grant from the AIA National Component Matching Grant Program (CMGP) and the Architectural Foundation for $500.  We awarded a scholarship of $1,000.  In 2008 we received a matching grant for $2,000 and awarded two scholarships of $2,000 each.  This year, funding from the CMGP continued in the amount of $1200. Prior to this, AIA Vermont gave $500 awards to the Norwich University students' "Best of Show" competition and academic awards were granted as two graduation awards of $500 each to VTC  Students (best scholastic record and most improved). The past two years events have raised just over $7,000. Last year we awarded four scholarships. We are very proud and thankful to have had two recipients Aaron Cayer and Gloria Anderson , join us this year as volunteers at the event.  

This is a very fun and easy way for our organization to provide financial support to those students that are not only pursuing a career in our field but, are also attending the academic institutions within our state that offer and support architectural programs. I know many of you may view this as a “Golf Tournament” and because you don’t golf, it doesn’t apply to you or, you have no interest. I encourage you to use your finely honed sense of vision to see the proverbial forest through the trees. This is a fund raising opportunity. The golf event is simply the vehicle that allows us to attract major donors. Whether you golf or not, you can participate in this much needed program. Planning and executing this event requires a year long effort by many people and as we all know many hands make light work. Everything from organizing the venue to contacting donors and sponsors, to gathering auction/raffle items to event day volunteers is needed. Or, if you’re schedule just doesn’t permit it, even a simple donation of cash or merchandise always goes a long way.

Thanks to everyone who participated in, contributed to, sponsored, volunteered at, and supported our 3rd annual benefit golf tournament. Because of you, it was a great success! Together, we raised over $9,000 to support the Hanne N. Williams Scholar Recognition Fund!

SO, SAVE THE DATE! SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 has been reserved at the Country Club of Vermont for our 4th Annual AIA Vermont Benefit Golf Tournament for the Hanne N. Williams Scholar Recognition Fund.


While there will always be low scores, the true winners of this event are the students and recipients of the scholarships and academic awards.



2010 Winning Foursome – (Adam Osha, Rob Naylor, Tanner Ramand, Dave Sheldrick.)


Remember to check the website!

For the latest Events and  Job postings go to www.aiavt.org.


AIAVT wishes to thank

all of the wonderful sponsors and participants in this year’s golf tournament.  Twenty two teams played in this second annual event to support the Hanne B. Williams Scholar Recognition Fund. 

Thanks to our Par Level Sponsors: Apex Lighting, Haworth Boston, Housewright Construction, Inc., Pella Products, Inc., Pizzagalli Construction Co., Vermont Heating & Ventilating, and Vermont Mechanical, Inc.


AIAVT also wishes to thank our Contributors:

 Commodores Inn, Efficiency Vermont, Lake Champlain Transportation, Vermont Sports Grill, Amerigas, Blueprints, etc., Cabot Cheese, Capital Lincoln/Mercury, Green Mtn. Coffee Roasters, AW Hastings, Pack & Send Plus, VIS Construction Consultants, Vermont Moonlight Cookies, Country Club of Barre, Country Club of Vermont, Vermont National Country Club, Burlington Country Club, Jay Peak Resort and Poole Professional.



Special Thanks

to our AIAVT Tournament Committee; Marsha Wilmot , Guy Teschmacher, Tod Fitch, Lisa Hervey, Nicole LaBrecque, Ron Beales, Joe Greene, Brian Haas for their tireless efforts in helping to put this event together. Also, want to extend a special thanks to Sandra Silla, Dan Lajeunesse, Rachel Smith and Craig Hervey and Brian Haas, Jodi Ovens, Ellyn Ingalls for their volunteer efforts the day of the event.



The aiaVT newsletter is published by AIA Vermont, the Vermont Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Executive Director:

Carol Miklos

cmiklos@ aiavt.org

88 Blackbird Lane
Charlotte, VT  05445

p 802.425.6162
f 802.425.6165

aiaVT is edited by Steve Clark, AIA.

Published views are the author’s and not necessarily the views of AIA Vermont or any other organization.

AIA Vermont reserves the right to edit articles for available space and determine appropriate content prior to inclusion. Submissions must be received  2 weeks prior to publication date.

Please send articles, notices, letters, and graphic submissions to:

Steve Clark, AIA
60 Terrace Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
802-223-2097
sc.aiavt@comcast.net