Manchester, NH Chapman Construction/Design, a construction management company specializing in high-performance building, has been selected to oversee construction of a new 6,000 s/f headquarters building for the Monadnock Conservancy. When complete, the structure will achieve Net Zero energy usage, meaning it will generate as much renewable energy on site as it consumes over the course of a year. 

Chapman’s deep experience in energy-efficient design and construction, along with innovative approaches to value-engineering, will enable the Conservancy to achieve ambitious environmental goals while staying within budget. Most importantly, it will allow the non-profit organization to relocate from rented space into a permanent home in support of its conservation work. The project features a new one-story wood framed building with offices, community meeting space, regenerative site improvements, and stormwater management system. 

The new facility will incorporate numerous novel solutions for limiting energy usage and carbon emissions. Chapman identified several subcontractors and partners throughout the pre-construction phase to provide cutting-edge sustainable building materials, including Pozzotive, a ground glass pozzolan and industrial filler made from recycled post-consumer glass; Glavel foam glass gravel for use as subslab insulation; and a unique partnership with Milwaukee Tools to demonstrate the impact on carbon reduction that is achieved when using high-performance, battery-powered tools. 

In addition, Walpole, NH-based Bensonwood will provide its innovative offsite, panelized construction system, cutting down on travel to and from the jobsite to reduce the project’s carbon impact and expedite the assembly of a higher quality, weather-tight structure with significantly less construction waste. Chapman will also partner with utility company Eversource to ensure the conservancy’s power is supplied by 100% renewable resources. 

The project’s designer is Concord, NH-based Sheldon Pennoyer Architects. In addition to providing a low energy, high performance design, the firm will donate locally sourced ash which will be milled and used within the building. Michael Bruss of Bruss Project Management has played a key role in bringing together this high-performance building team and facilitating the process. Finally, several trees removed during the site preparation will be milled and incorporated into the project as feature elements. 

“This new headquarters facility represents the culmination of many years of planning and implementing strategies for how best to serve our community with minimal impact on the environment,” said Amanda Littleton, executive director, Monadnock Conservancy. “Working with a firm like Chapman has enabled us to engage with a partner that prioritizes energy efficiency and intelligent re-use in all aspects of a project, and we’re excited to partner with them on the conservancy’s next chapter.”