It's getting down to punch list time at Meadowview in New Gloucester. Construction by Rideout & Turner has gone very well and is finishing ahead of schedule. Prior to finishes, the blower door test came in at 1.8 ACH 50, and along with the double-stud wall, triple-glazed windows, and good air-sealing techniques the energy efficiency of this home will be net zero with the future solar panels. Phase 2 is a future small guest house that was part of our master plan.

Our second project at Cliff Cottage is moving right along. A very small portion of the middle of the cottage is intact, and after this second project both wings and great room will have been completely redone (see photos of phase 1 here). This winter it's the bedroom wing as we have designed an addition/renovation for 4 bedrooms, and opened the kitchen/dining room to wonderful, views, natural daylight, and entertaining. Construction by Chartier Building and Remodeling.

After many meetings over the last couple of years, the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) board has adopted an update to Maine's building codes. Maine will soon be following the 2021 versions (an upgrade from the 2015 codes) of the International Code Council building and energy codes. Additionally, in July the actual MUBEC board will be moving from the State Fire Marshal's Office to the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA), a recent standalone office that will combine multiple land use and housing programs. David has been Maine AIA's representative on MUBEC for the last 6 years.

Agatha Christie's Mousetrap, the world's longest running play in London, is coming to the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath from Wednesday March 5 to Sunday March 9. Cathy will be playing Ms Casewell, a mysterious young woman trapped in a snowbound inn with an unknown murderer. Tickets are available from the Chocolate Church website.

David and 10 of his soccer friends made a quick visit to Italy recently to watch Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah play for AC Milan (photo in front of the iconic San Siro Stadium), as they won a thriller in stoppage time over Parma. They also saw the smallest stadium in Serie A in Lake Como, Como vs Atalanta, as well as a quick visit to Switzerland for dinner. Among the highlights of Milan was the duomo (obviously) and a private tour of Davinci's The Last Supper. Enjoyed soccer and saw the world, as well as well as the fabulous food in Milan.

Currently being priced out by Rideout & Turner, this energy efficient and resilient house will take the place of a house destroyed by the January 2024 storms in Bristol. The house has been made more resilient by moving and raising it further from the water, as well as installing hurricane shutters to protect openings. Construction scheduled for this spring.