An early sketch of the Ledge House project in Southern Vermont. When you build a new home, the local building code dictates the minimum standards you must meet, which essentially means building the least efficient, most basic house legally allowed. Targeting Passive House principles means moving far beyond that bare minimum to improve efficiency, comfort, and detailing. In many ways, if a basic code-built house is an economy commuter, a Passive House is a performance car. It

We first learned of the book With the Grain: A Craftsman’s Guide to Understanding Wood, by Christian Becksvoort, from Nick Offerman. This is an essential read exploring the anatomy, characteristics, management, and workability of wood. The author is based in Maine and a master of the shaker style. This book can bridge the gap between an architect’s broad vision in the use of wood with the craftsperson’s reverence for understanding nuances of a natural material. After all, wo

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone for Hennessey Architecture: our very first magazine feature! We are honored to be spotlighted in Mountain View Publishing’s special 2026 edition of Trend Watch magazine, fittingly themed "Quiet Comfort." This theme resonates with our firm's core philosophy of designing homes, hospitality spaces, and housing that feel grounded, inviting, and deeply connected to their environment. Seeing our work recognized in print is an incredibly

Hennessey Architecture, founded by Tim Hennessey, has officially opened its doors in the village of Meriden, New Hampshire. Operating out of an old farmhouse nestled right next to a classic red barn, the new studio provides a fittingly idyllic and inspiring backdrop for the firm's creative work. With a dedicated design focus on homes, hospitality, and housing, the studio is positioned in this rural New England setting to continue crafting thoughtful, enduring spaces that conn