CONSCIOUSLY CRAFTED
Sustainable Design ’ s founder Alan Benoit sheds light on the design process behind the award-winning “ Net Positive Craftsman ” house .
In the heart of Bennington County , a modern marvel of sustainable engineering lies hidden at the end of a gently-curving mountain driveway . Tucked away on a picturesque and quiet hillside overlooking Mount Equinox , the 3-bedroom , 3.5 bathroom 3,200-square-foot “ Net Positive Craftsman ” house stands as a striking testament to the extraordinary power of ecologically-conscious architecture . The mossy-green color on the outside walls blends seamlessly with the surrounding forest , and the stone walls that line the driveway conjure feelings of sylvan nostalgia .
Completed in 2020 , the celebrated home came into being as a result of the remarkable efforts of Alan and Nancy Benoit , the owners and founders of Sustainable Design in Manchester , Vermont . The Benoits first made the decision to open Sustainable Design together after working for years as highly-skilled engineers . “ When you work as an engineer , you ’ re somewhat limited in terms of how you can artistically express yourself ,” notes Alan . “ I got my first degree in engineering , but I also went to school for art and sociology . Nancy also has an extensive background in engineering .” Although Alan found great fulfillment in his work as an engineer , he was always eager to explore other professional avenues . “ I had been passionate about nature since my childhood , and I had also taken classes in landscaping and native plant studies during the course of my educational journey ,” says Alan . “ One day , I had an important revelation : I realized that I could combine all of my interests together by working as an architect .”
Following his decision to switch career paths , Alan moved to Vermont with Nancy in 2001 , where he took a job at the Manchester-based architectural firm Badger and Associates . During his eight-year stint there , Alan advocated for the use of sustainable and energy-efficient
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