Looking for NEW construction in Waterville Valley? We've started building it already.   "Green" Home on Snows Mountain, One Boulder Path Way. Under construction by award-winning ABODE Builders of New England, featuring their signature innovative "green" construction methods and design features. Fabulous private perch on the side of Snows Mountain looking west across north Waterville Valley toward sunsets, Mt. Tecumseh & Green Peak.  Just under 3,000SF, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, family room, high efficiency heat system with heat recovery ventilation, 2-car garage and screened in porch, you'll enjoy early spring thru the fall season bug free. Call the Waterville Valley Realty Team at 1-888-987-8333 for details!

Another Abode Built Home

 A beautiful addition to its neighborhood, this recently completed home with gorgeous views of a ski mountain nestles snugly into a challenging site.

Working with Abode and the architectural firm Misiaszek-Turpin, the homeowners were able to view program sketches and various options for rough layouts of their idea's, which progressed to this final plan.

  Addressing square footage requirements and keeping a close eye on the budget are typically at the forefront of any new home and were closely monitored to successfully meet both.

The lovely character maple flooring  gives a unique degree of interest and the green design principle of using  locally sourced and milled wood not only helps sustain local small businesses but minimizes the carbon impact.

The living room focal point-the fireplace was designed by our Project Manager and former masonry artist Gerald Fransen. 

The kitchen being the hub of the homes has an open and easily accessible floorplan allowing multiple work stations, not to mention the ease of accomodating a good flow for entertaining with dual access points to the adjacent dining area.

The entrance and "landing area" to this  home is bright, open and has plenty of space for gear in the closet on the right, but is also close to the laundry/storage area on the right.  Wood wainscotting helps keep the inevitable bumps and bruises from ski gear from damaging the walls and provides a continuity throughout the hallway space.  Carpeted stairways (left) keeps footseps muffled whether going up or down .

   Insulated and sealed the ICF basement provides an R-24 value that allows no outside air or water infiltration into the lower level basement.   Cozy & warm, the walkout family room will experience no musty odor that a standard grey concrete foundation usually engenders.
For HVAC a Unico System was installed that uses less than one-fourth of the space in the built environment than a traditional system.  It can deliver up to 12 tons of air conditioning in the same space as a 3-ton traditional unit.
   air is delivered quietly and seamlessly into the room using a 2" or 2.5" outlets or an 8" x ¾" slotted diffuser .You feel the comfort of the system, but you won't hear it.
The air handler is designed to isolate noise and vibration. Each module is insulated such that the unit itself is quiet. The supply tubes are lined with sound-dampening, spun-bond nylon, giving quiet comfort. Through an air principle called aspiration, air enters a room  and creates a gentle suction around itself that draws the room air into its stream of air. Aspiration creates an even, draft free environment which has the net affect of lowering the effective room temperature by 2 to 3 degrees.

From room to room, floor to floor, and floor to ceiling, the temperature differential is no greater than 2 degrees from where you set the thermostat. This provides greater humidity removal through the efficient design of the cooling coils that are two times as thick as traditional HVAC cooling coils, moving air from the conditioned space slower through the thicker cooling coil. This allows the hot air from the space to stay on the super cold Unico System cooling coil longer. This results in up to 30% greater humidity removal. Lower indoor humidity creates an indoor environment that is perfectly comfortable.
These are just a few items incorporated into this house to help make it energy efficient (in the form of lower fuel and utility costs)  aethetically pleasing without sacrificing comfort, and addressed the homeowners needs for their family but for the entertaining that will occur when extended family and friends are lucky enough to visit.

Celebrate National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week April 15 thru April 22, 2012
National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. This week we honor those ordinary people who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in our local area.

Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week has grown exponentially in scope each year, drawing the support and endorsement of all subsequent U.S. presidents, governors, mayors and other respected elected officials.
This year, Points of Light Institute is also recognizing the 3rd anniversary
of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the creation of the Volunteer
Generation Fund through a series of celebratory and service events across the nation.
Celebrating People in Action, presents an opportunity for individuals, families, nonprofit
organizations and government entities alike to celebrate people who
accomplish extraordinary things through service.

The local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trailer gracing our parking lot is an effort to say “Thank you” to all the local participants that volunteered hours responding to disaster within the local Ashland, Campton, Holderness, Plymouth, Rumney, Warren, Waterville Valley, Wentworth and Woodstock N.H. area and others when needed.

These are our neighbors, coworkers, friends or family, making a difference on a daily basis not only by encouraging the people they help, but motivating others to serve as well. In many cases specialized training is offered in an effort to specifically target the help needed for a comprehensive emergency response.

Check out these links for ways you can volunteer:
· http://www.greaterplymouthmrc.com
· http://www.nhcitizencorps.org
· http://www.handsonnetwork.org

CHaD Battle of the Badges

It's that time of year where N.H. Policemen pitt themselves against Firefighters from across the state in a good natured hockey match in the Battle of the Badges. .

This competitive game of "Good vs. Good" held at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester N.H. was enjoyed by 5,000 people last year and raised just over $200,000.00 towards supporting programs and services at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) . Abode is proud to support our local Plymouth Police Officer Sargeant Derek Newcomb in his 3rd year skating for this volunteer team.

A family centered facility CHaD provides a culture of caring for families requiring advanced pediatric inpatient or outpatient services which include a Pediatric Trauma Center. CHaD recently teamed up with Children's Hospital Boston to help expand upon these services.

If you're looking for some fiercely competetive fast paced hockey come support N.H.'s Firefighters and Police at 5:00 p.m. Saturday March 31st at the Verizon Arena. With the series now tied 2-2, both the trophy and bragging rights are on the line!

5 Sustainable Homes That Don't Skimp

EcoHome Magazine included Abode's Mountain Home Model in their weekly e-newsletter
http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/news/2012/02-february/1-5-sustainable-homes-that-dont-skimp-on-style-akta-linjen.aspx

Offering practical advice and guidance, highlights of the latest green products and technologies, and in-depth articles on trends and techniques, EcoHome is a source for green-focused builders, architects, and other industry professionals in print, online, and in person. Its award-winning coverage of certified green building projects and products cuts through the confusion surrounding green/sustainable product selections. Check them out at: http://www.EcoHomeMagazine.com