Vermont Integrated Architecture, P.C. - Middlebury, Vermont

Susan M.

I found VIA from researching on the web. They are very diligent in listening to your vision, your budget and incorporating your ideas as well as alternatives into your design and schematics. We were very fortunate to work with Ashar and Jean - communication was easy and detailed and we were able to do most everything over email. I would use VIA again in a heartbeat!

Alexander W.

“The process of repurposing an old building was thoroughly collaborative and more rewarding than I ever thought it could be. And VIA was every bit as enthusiastic as I was to tackle this project, and it showed every step of the way, from our earliest conceptual discussions to the gala evening where the finished project received an AIA-Vermont award.”

“I was impressed by--and found really rewarding--the up-front discussions in which Ashar sounded me out about how I worked, what my hopes for the finished product were, etc. That indicated to me a holistic way of approaching the project. And it set a great collaborative tone from the outset.”

Peter C.

Before she began designing our house, Jean spent a fair amount of time at the farm observing us. She "got it", meaning she understood how we had been living and how we will continue to live. This knowledge is reflected in the way the house came out. Even though it is about half the size of the farmhouse we owned, there is ample room for living, entertaining, working (offices and a shop), and storage.

The energy design is superb. During the winter we fire up the wood stove at about four o’clock, and the last log goes in at about 10:30. During the night the living room cools slightly – only to about 62 degrees because air leakage is extremely low and there are about ten inches of dense-pack cellulose in the walls. On all but the cloudiest mornings we throw open the south and east facing curtains. Soon, even with a slight overcast, the main living areas are a toasty 68 to 70 degrees. We repeat this cycle every day. On cloudy days the wood stove gets fired up earlier, if we have time. Otherwise a heat pump is turned on for a couple of hours. Total heat pump operation was roughly 20 to 25 hours during the heating season, and wood consumption was about 1.5 cords. All of our electric consumption was covered by the 6.0 kW solar array on the roof, with a little left over.

This house is universally praised by visitors so potential VIA clients need to be made aware of it. In fact I have heard that someone said, “I want a house just like that one”.

Sarah P.

The staff at Vermont Integrated Architecture is a talented group! I am consistently impressed with their vision, creativity and professionalism.

Cara P.

Elise S.

Jen P.