Commercial Portfolio

• Cornerstone Awards: 2004 Gold Award for Commercial Remodeling

The central theme of this project is "transformation". The goal of the client was to transform an existing commercial "Butler" building, known locally as "the ugliest building in New London", into a structure that would appear as a traditional New England Colonial and to function as a retail store. The new roof system was to use a more traditional sloped gable roof to cover the entire building and would also include two gable dormers (one on each side). The "store front" created an entrance that was functional, attractive, and presented a traditional appearance with a sheltered front porch complete with traditional white columns, and landscaping.

The project was completed in less than six months, it was within budget, and the transformation was striking. The client and townspeople are pleased with the results.

Near the end of the 2003 ski season, the management of the Mount Sunapee Resort decided to build a new children's center to house the youth ski school programs and daycare facility. Ultimately, we were chosen over other architectural firms to complete the design as well as the construction by a unanimous vote including the general management and the resort owners. The reason we were selected was the efficient layout, aesthetic value and, as the ski school director put it; "you gave us everything we asked for and more!"

The building serves two major functions. The daycare area comprises about 30% of the overall square footage. Here, parents are able to leave children ages 1 to 4 under the care of a professional staff while they enjoy a day of skiing. 55% of the building is dedicated to the children's learn to ski program. This houses rentals storage, fitting, drop off, reception, partial kitchen and a large assembly room. The remainder of the building holds administrative offices for the directors, reservations offices and utilities.

Diligent project management and in-house design ultimately brought the project to completion on Dec 19, one full month ahead of schedule…and under budget!!

• Cornerstone Award: 2006 Silver Award for Most Unusual Project (Anything Goes!)

This particular project has been on our "wish list" for a long time. The community's ancient information booth was a decrepit one-room shack that did not have running water or a bathroom. All-in-all, it was a very poor introduction for visitors to our town, but a perfect project for us. (If only we knew what we were getting into!)

A few years ago, we stopped exhibiting at trade shows as a timber frame dealer and we had a beautiful 10' x 20' timber frame booth just sitting in a pile in our storage barn. Inspiration hit and we donated our booth as the basis for a new welcome center and spearhead the effort to get materials and coordinate volunteers. It turned into a two year effort to make it happen. First, we had to design the new welcome center, and then we had to document and apply for a variance from the Zoning Board.

A priority for us was to include a handicapped accessible bathroom. An additional bonus is that the new welcome center can be used year-round if the Town ever wants to do so. Many local contractors contributed their time and materials and any other materials that we needed were paid with generous cash gifts from many local donors. When a local lady saw the new building take shape, she was moved to donate the beautiful chandelier.

The total cost to the Town? Zero.