Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming

Last year, Paul Hawken, environmentalist and writer, put together one of the most comprehensive plans to date proposing ways to reverse climate change. Over two hundred scientists and researchers contributed to the[...]

Furnishings Made with Repurposed Materials

We have a wealth of great materials we’ve been collecting over the years, from beautiful old lumber, to bricks and parts of old machinery. We have have been making tables, wainscotting, and an an[...]

Siding Story

At our DER project in Westhampton we have chosen to install all Boral TruExterior trim and siding.  It is competitive in price, contains 70 percent recycled material, and has excellent moisture and[...]

“Deep Energy Retrofits: Upgrading existing buildings saves energy and money”

This article just came out in Metal Construction News; in it, Kent is interviewed about what to consider when doing deep energy retrofits : “Deep energy retrofits are not just for commercial[...]

“Building Blocks: Berkshire builders adapt to a changing landscape”

Town Vibe (Spring 2018) features a really interesting article about the ways the real estate market has changed since the crash: “The key to survival for builders has been finding their niches.[...]

“A Barn for All Seasons”

“A crumbling western Massachusetts outbuilding gets a sunny, modern overhaul.” We’re excited to see a beautiful shot in the December 2017 Boston Magazine of a project we did with Erin Hunter of[...]

Great Article in the Recorder – Net Zero Retrofit of 18th c. Farmhouse

  “Contractor Kent Hicks of West Chesterfield recently completed the retrofit of an 18th-century farmhouse in Deerfield — using the latest green technology to make it one of the oldest net zero[...]

A Simple Life Magazine – Cover Article

A great cover story (Summer 2017, pp.6 – 23) featuring the amazing process of restoring and rebuilding the John House home, a 17th century house. The salvaged building was bought, sight unseen[...]

“A Sense of Calm”

Carol Lollis’ beautiful piece in the Dec. 1 Hampshire Life magazine featured the West Cummington Congregational Church which we helped to rebuild after a terrible fire in January 2010.

“Bringing an Old Mill into the 21st Century”

Kent Hicks’ home and office have been a labor of love for the past decade. The building was originally a grist mill, then a tool handle manufacturing company. The historic renovation had[...]

“A Sealed Deal: Less Science, More Sustainability Go Into This Forever Home”

We built a net zero home for some very happy clients who wanted a self-sufficient, resilient, low maintenance and durable home. Their home is featured in the most recent Green Builder magazine (pp.[...]

Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future: Energy Retrofits

We’ve worked on old houses in New England for years and have learned that well-built wooden structures can last a very long time – like 100 to 300 years. As stewards of[...]