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We hope your new year has been off to a good start! This newsletter, we're rethinking a common assumption...do Maine homes actually need basements? Read on for architect Chris Briley's considerations for homeowners building new homes with basements, plus sustainable alternatives. We also feature a trio of mountain homes that exemplify high performance building in a cold climate.
Keep reading for all this, and if you are not yet a magazine subscriber, head over to our website to subscribe today!
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The basement myth
Do new build homes in Maine actually need basements?
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Cold comfort: High-performance homes for mountain living
This trio of stunning mountain homes are the stuff that dreams are made on. Beautifully designed and exactingly constructed, they all met the challenges that high-performance building in a cold, harsh climate can present.
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Wed. Feb 4 at 12:00 p.m., online
Thinking about adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Maine—or curious if it could be right for your property? Join us for this Home + Energy Chats webinar to explore the new Maine ADU Guide, a one-stop hub designed to make the ADU process easier to understand. We’ll walk through helpful tools, sample designs, and key steps like zoning, permitting, budgeting, and construction—so you can confidently explore options for rental income, multigenerational living, or flexible space at home.
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Save the Date: Saturday, March 28th in South Portland, Maine
Get inspired to create your dream home at the Green Home + Energy Show! Find local vendors to help you reduce your energy costs, improve your indoor air, transition away from fossil fuels, test drive electric vehicles, explore sustainable gardening and landscape approaches, and more. From solar to heat pumps, insulation to roofing, builders and designers to basement waterproofing, you’ll find endless inspiration for creating your high-performing, efficient and healthy home—whether you are looking to build, buy or enhance an existing property.
Tickets benefit passivhausMAINE, a nonprofit dedicated to carbon reduction in the built environment through education and advocacy.
Get your early bird discounted tickets today!
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BS + Beer: Materials
February 11 at 5 pm
Penalty Box Restaurant, Damariscotta
What goes into choosing building materials? How can we optimize for things like durability, resilience, ease of installation, aesthetic appeal, reduced carbon emissions, installer health, occupant health, environmental health, and of course the ever-present cost barrier? Join us to share, learn and have some fun! Material samples by TimberHP and Performance Building Supply. No fee or need to sign up and open to everyone. Learn more on BS + Beer ME's Instagram.
| | | Year in review: 2025's most read articles | | | |
#1
Amazing ADUs: High performance prefab small homes
Maine needs flexible, affordable housing. These beautiful prefabricated Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) could provide a solution.
Read more >>
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#2
Foundations of the future
Here in Maine, we build houses with basements and concrete foundation walls. There are many reasons to rethink that conventional approach.
Read more >>
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#3
High performance timber frame homes
Take the beauty and time-honored precision joinery of a timber frame home, combine them with high-performance building features, and what do you get? A match made in heaven.
Read more >>
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Forum 13: As Maine Goes, So Goes the Nation
February 12 through 14, 2026
Abromson Community Education Center, University of Southern Maine, Portland
This February, passivhausMAINE hosts Forum 13, a three-day gathering highlighting Maine’s leadership in clean building and sustainable development. Drawing on the state motto Dirigo (“I lead”), Forum 13 explores how innovation in workforce training, high-performance housing, low-carbon materials, and policy is shaping the future of construction nationwide. The program features expert panels, hands-on workshops, and networking events, including a welcome dinner and keynote presentation from Michael Hindle of Passive to Positive. Come join builders, designers, policymakers, and advocates to chart a path toward a more resilient, low-carbon built environment. More info at phmeforum.org.
Green & Healthy Maine HOMES is a proud sponsor of Forum 13.
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Green & Healthy Maine HOMES is published by The SunriseGuide, LLC.
The SunriseGuide, LLC is a mission-based media company born out of the belief that business can be a force for positive change. For us, that mission is to help our readers live happier, healthier, more sustainable lives, while helping Maine's sustainable businesses grow and prosper. Will you join us?
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