HOW WE GOT HERE
- The conventional, prefabricated, and passive house building processes were analyzed and integrated using the best of each.
- Methods of designing and building assemblies and systems were refined to reduce waste and increase construction efficiency.
- Advanced building science is incorporated into each home.
- Our goal is to support local economies by working with local trade contractors and suppliers.
EFFICIENCY
Passive house energy modeling is used on all of our homes for peak operating efficiency. A combination of on-site and off-site production delivers the most efficient building process.
AFFORDABILITY
Actual square foot price varies due to market forces.
LOW EMBODIED CARBON
A complete carbon analysis ensures low environmental impact in the construction of the home. Locally sourced and sustainably harvested materials are used throughout.
HEALTHY
A high quality ventilation system provides healthy indoor air quality throughout the home by maintaining safe levels of carbon dioxide and particulate matter. Continuous fresh air is provided throughout the home. All building products have low/zero volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).
I met Kent Hicks soon after I’d purchased acreage. I’d begun a search for someone to work with in building a small, well designed, ecologically-oriented home. Kent was the first person I met with. I felt such an immediate collaborative resonance with him that I went no further in my search. I knew intuitively that I wanted East Branch Studio to build my home.
I chose one of East Branch Homes models, and worked with their design team to personalize the plan in ways that suited my family.
The EBH construction team was terrific: professional, caring, reliable, super competent and dedicated. This wasn’t just a job for any of them. Building was their vocation. I felt part of their collaborative family for a time.
The entire process impressed me….from the team itself, to the subs and advisors who worked with them; from knowledge of their field, to integrity of design; from excellence in craftsmanship, to careful control of costs…and more. The process itself has left me loving my time in the Berkshires and feeling grateful to and very appreciative of East Branch Studio and their team.
J. Bronson
DETAILS
TYPICAL BUILDING ENVELOPE DETAILS
Footings and Walls R-10
- 8” thick concrete foundation wall with steel reinforcement bearing on 10” deep concrete footings
- Foundation wall interior insulated with reclaimed rigid foam board, minimum R-10
Slab R-25
- 4” concrete slab
- Vapor/Air barrier, minimum 15 mil poly below concrete
- Reclaimed rigid foam board below vapor barrier, minimum R-25, minimum density 25psi
- 10 inches of ¾” compacted stone below foam
- Radon mitigation piping laid in stone
- Slab thermally broken from foundation walls with reclaimed rigid foam
Exterior Walls R-44
- 12“ Double stud wall framed 19.2” on center, R-44 dense packed cellulose. Assembly as listed below, from exterior to interior
- Exterior siding
- Exterior rainscreen; minimum ¾” airspace
- Mento 3000 continuous air and water barrier, Vapor permeable (38 US perms)
- ½” CDX plywood sheathing
- Exterior 2×6 wall @ 19.2” o.c.
- 12” Dense packed cellulose, R-44
- Interior 2×4 wall @ 19.2” o.c.
- Intello Plus continuous air barrier membrane, Humidity Variable Vapor Permeance (<.13 to 13 US perms)
- Gypsum wall board, taped 3-coats
Roof/Attic/ Ceiling R-80
- Raised heel roof trusses
- Baffled eaves, vented ridge and soffits
- 22” Open Blow Cellulose, R-80
- Intello Plus continuous air barrier membrane, Humidity Variable Vapor Permeance (<.13 to 13 US perms)
- Framed opening for insulated attic hatch
- 1×3 strapping
- Gypsum wall board, taped 3-coats
Air Tightness
- 0.3 to 0.6 ACH50
- (2) blower door tests
CIRCULAR DESIGN
Long term occupancy of the home is considered in our flexible wall panel design option dividing the rooms. This allows for easy change of use, whether it’s aging in place or just changing room sizes. This eliminates future high costs of renovation and adding discarded materials to the landfill. The flexible wall system has been designed using circular design principles – what is designed is recycled and reused in a continuous closed loop, instead of going into landfill.
EXPANDABLE FOOTPRINTS
Each model can be modified in size to best fit the needs of the occupants.
THE PROCESS
HOW YOUR HOME IS CREATED
- Sign the contract for the preconstruction scope of work to secure your place on the schedule
- Finalize any design changes (hourly fees apply)
- Finalize the budget for changes and upgrades (hourly fees apply)
- Sign the contract for construction
- Site preparation (may include tree clearing, well, septic, grading). This can happen in tandem with any design and budget work.
- Off site building
- On site building
- Completion
PRODUCTION
A hybrid approach of off-site/on-site production provides low cost, high quality delivery. We work with our talented trade partners throughout Western Massachusetts. Our goal is to support the local economies where the homes will be built and to advance the building industry towards healthy, affordable, efficient homes.
LOW WASTE
Every stick of wood, length of pipe or foot of wiring is accounted for in the design, greatly reducing the waste stream that is so prevalent in the building industry. Our goal is a full trash can at the end of construction, not a full dumpster.