On a crisp, sunny day in December, NESEA took a Pro Tour of two sites, one in Putney, VT and one in Walpole, NH. In Putney we got a tour of a home that feature accelerated site construction of a high performance shell, and in Walpole we toured the Bensonwood shop and discussed the virtual carpentry and fabrication process.

Site 1 - Unity Homes: Accelerated site construction & high performance shell

• Putney, VT (Exact address will be provided in confirmation email)
• Projected 6.5 weeks from end of shell raising to completion (client move-in)
• 5 days shell raising
• Projected building performance information & specifications
• Parallel processing: site work happens concurrent with shop work on shell
• Tour guide: Danny Veerkamp, Project Manager at Bensonwood

Site 2 - Bensonwood: Shop tour and explanation of BWC virtual carpentry and fabrication process

• Walpole, NH (Exact address will be provided in confirmation email)
• Discussion of the virtual build process and how it relates to shop prep & information flow
• Montage building (panelized construction)
• Optimized approach to balance 3 factors: panels, kit of parts, and modules
• Available technology & equipment that makes the shop process(es) more efficient
• Assembly details (wall, roof, floor panels)
• Tour guide: Hans Porschitz, Company Steward and Head of Project Management

Parking and Final Reception Site - Bensonwood

Parking, bus pick-up and drop-off, a tour, and the final Q&A session and reception took place at Bensonwood's headquarters, located in Walpole, NH. For over 40 years, Bensonwood, a long-time NESEA member, has been crafting beautiful and healthy, high-performance sanctuaries capable of enduring for centuries.