A Celebration of Architectural Design
Architects show off their best residential work.
In January, the design community in New Hampshire will come together to recognize the best recent work produced in the state.
The New Hampshire chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIANH’s) annual Excellence in Architecture Design Awards Program is marking its thirty-fourth year of honoring outstanding architecture. The awards program is juried by out-of-state architects—this year from the Department of Architecture at UMass Amherst. The jury selects the winning projects based on overall design excellence, including aesthetics, clarity, creativity, relevant functionality, building performance and appropriateness with regard to the client’s vision.
A new award is being offered this year for Excellence in Sustainability and recognizes innovative strategies that advance sustainability in the built environment.
AIANH member architects are eligible to submit projects anywhere in the world, while out-of-state member architects can submit projects that are located in New Hampshire.
This year, fourteen residential projects were submitted. Winners are scheduled to be announced at the AIANH Awards Banquet on January 5 at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester and announced in the March/April issue of New Hampshire Home. Award winners will also be posted on the AIANH website, aianh.org, and featured throughout the year in AIANH publications.
After the banquet, all submissions will be part of a statewide traveling exhibition that is scheduled to be on view at the Manchester airport, libraries and university campuses.
Eagle Pond House
Eagle Pond Studio Architects in Wilmot
(603) 456-8553 • eaglepondstudio.com
Architect: Jessica Cook
Project Team: Jessica Cook; Scott McCullough
A high-performance, exterior shell; a hemlock timber frame; an eastern white pine interior; and photovoltaic panels are some of the
materials and systems used in construction. The use of a vernacular form for the overall massing and the use of local woodland
materials provide a sense of place.
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Lake Winnipesaukee Retreat
TMS Architects in Portsmouth (603) 436-4274 • tmsarchitects.com
Architect: William Soupcoff, AIA • Project Team: Lafe Covill, Assoc. AIA
Contractor: YFI Custom Homes in Cape Neddick, Maine
Interior Designer: Kaufman Segal Design in Chicago, Illinois
Lake views were achieved in every gathering space while maintaining a camp-like facade by hiding massing within the hillside. Delicate hand-drawn bird wall decals, bold wood moose carvings and artwork niches are just a few examples of the continuous flow of iconic
elements found in New Hampshire’s environment that root this home to the landscape.
Clothespin Farm
Sheldon Pennoyer Architects in Concord (603) 856-8994 • spennoyerarchitects.com
Architect: Sheldon Pennoyer, AIA LEED AP • Project Team: Jasmine Pinto, Associate AIA
General Contractor: Tim Groesbeck, Groesbeck Construction in Peterborough
Interior Designer: Phoebe Lovejoy, Lovejoy Interiors in Allston, Massachusetts
Landscape Designer: Laura Trowbridge in Peterborough
The initial design goal was to renovate and design a new connector volume between two existing Cape structures, the original built in 1815. The new narrow, glazed connector joins the old and new. The clean modern lines of the interior spaces bring the outdoors in and focus to the distant views of Mount Monadnock. Extensive effort was made to preserve the 150-year-old sugar maple at the intersection between the old and new volumes, providing shelter from the sun.

Meadow Home
Samyn-D’Elia Architects, P.A. in Ashland (603) 968-7133 • sdarchitects.com
Architect: Ward D’Elia, AIA
Design Architect: John P. Otte, AIA • General Contractor: Sharpe Construction LLC, in Holderness
A great effort was made to cut as few trees as possible as the privacy they provide allowed the homeowners to forgo window treatments and enjoy panoramic splendor through large, floor-to-ceiling window walls, glass doors and a window-lined eating nook. The home features granite steps and terrace wall lengths built from the original farmhouse foundation stones.

Little Green on Lake Winnipesaukee
Christopher P. Williams Architects in Meredith (603) 279-6513 • cpwarchitects.com
Architect: Christopher P. Williams, AIA
Design Architect: Matthew Daughdrill
General Contractor: Kurt Clason, K.A. Clason Fine Woodworking in Laconia
This renovated lake cottage, entirely within the lake setback, includes an expanded footprint and a new upper level. A cantilevered structure supports the two levels of porches seven feet from the water’s edge to minimize lake impact and preserve trees. The details, fixtures and materials reflect the historic camp style and its time period—including exposed framing. Insulation outside the framed walls and closed cell foam at the roof meet current energy requirements.
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Pinecliff
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC, in New London (603) 526-6200 • boninarchitects.com
Architect: Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP
General Contractor: Jay Tucker, Old Hampshire Designs in New London
Landscape Architect: Greg Rusnica, Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC, in New London
This is a home designed and built for generations. Unique ideas and existing treasures were consistently explored and incorporated, such as the salvaged porthole windows, salvaged ship’s helm wheel and the reclaimed chestnut in the recreation room. High-efficiency windows and doors complete a superior envelope. All lighting is LED, from utility lighting to exterior lighting. Environmental considerations extend beyond the home; site design and landscaping provide on-site treatment of all storm-water runoff.
Lakeside Cabin
Murdough Design in Boston, Massachusetts (617) 536-7992 • murdoughdesign.com
Architect: Tom Murdough
Project Team: Jenny Tjia; Rob Potish
Contractor: Denali Construction Corp. in North Reading, Massachusetts
The communal areas—living, dining and kitchen—are open, airy and bright, while the private bedrooms are cozy and cocoon-like. Catwalks and balconies seem to float in the trees and provide views to the lake below.
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Sunapee Views
Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC, in New London (603) 526-6200 • boninarchitects.com
Architect: Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP
Project Manager: Christopher Timberlake, Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC, in New London
General Contractor: Jay Tucker, Old Hampshire Designs in New London
Interior Designer: Robin Rountree, Threetrees Interiors in Old Saybrook, Connecticut
With the intent of filling the home with upwards of twenty family and friends during weekends and holidays, designing for comfort and functionality were critical. Five bedrooms; a bunk room; open, casual living spaces; a recreation room; and a reading loft provide opportunities for gathering and quiet relaxation. A screen porch with fireplace, covered porch, perched beach and patio expand into the lakefront living areas.
Family Compound
Sheldon Pennoyer Architects in Concord (603) 856-8994 • spennoyerarchitects.com
Architect: Sheldon Pennoyer, AIA LEED AP • Project Team: David O’Neil, AIA; Renee Fair, Assoc. AIA
General Contractor: Tim Groesbeck, Groesbeck Construction in Peterborough
Interior Design: Steve Karp Interior Design in Chicago, Illinois
Landscape Architects: Shep Butler, ASLA, and Brian Bare, ASLA, Shepard Butler Landscape Architects in Thetford Center, Vermont
Located on a wooded knoll overlooking conserved hay fields, and the hills across Peterborough in the distance, the family compound is designed to accommodate a young family’s informal gatherings, while respecting traditional styles.

Bristol Woods
Fiorentino Group Architects in Portsmouth (603) 373-8562 • fiorentinogroup.com
Architect: Scott Fiorentino, AIA
Project Team: Issam Chahine; Shane Stilson
General Contractor: Howarth Builders, Inc. in South Berwick, Maine
This property was designed to mirror the homeowners’ sustainable lifestyle. The space is filled with natural light, flexible spaces and a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living while celebrating the wooded landscape and native flora. The design merges rustic and industrial concepts within a highly insulated building envelope, creating an aesthetically intriguing and functional home.
Downtown Revival
TMS Architects in Portsmouth (603) 436-4274 • tmsarchitects.com
Architect: William Soupcoff, AIA • Project Team: Retta Fitch
General Contractor: CM Ragusa Builders in Seabrook
Landscape Architect: Terra Firma Landscape Architecture in Portsmouth
The renovation of this 1910 Greek Revival home in Portsmouth opened the home’s long exterior facade to views of the adjacent park. The home fits seamlessly into an already strong neighborhood architectural context, and—although the home is small—it is meticulously crafted and designed for a casually elegant living environment.
Deer Street Condominium Renovation
CJ Architects in Portsmouth (603) 431-2808 • cjarchitects.net
Architect: Carla Goodknight
General Contractor: ReVision Construction in Portsmouth
This compact renovation transforms a 1980s hotel rental into a stylish pied-a-terre in downtown Portsmouth. The resulting open floor plan is finished with walnut hardwood flooring and anchored by a cohesive kitchen design. Creature comforts—such as dedicated wine storage and three bathrooms—provide all the features of a custom home in a small space.

Squam Family Farmhouse Renovation
Samyn-D’Elia Architects, P.A. in Ashland (603) 968-7133 • sdarchitects.com
Architect: Ward D’Elia, AIA
Design Architect: Amelia Martin Brock
General Contractor: Jason Keeney, Twin Oaks Construction in Plymouth
The homeowner wanted to renovate this beloved family farmhouse overlooking Squam Lake in a way that honored the old house and created space to make memories for generations to come. The new space was designed to be of a similar scale with a farmhouse atmosphere, and exterior details that match and complement the originals. The new space and the renovated home are fully insulated and highly energy efficient.
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Beauty Hill Barn
Studio Nexus Architects + Planners, LLC in White River Junction, Vermont (802) 275-5110 • studionexusarch.com
Project Team: Doug Sonsalla, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Principal; James Wasser, AIA, LEED AP, Principal; William Nartowicz, LEED AP, Project Manager
Contractor: Jay Tucker, Old Hampshire Designs in New London
The design task was to create conditioned space for entertaining, recreation,
brewing and enjoying views of the surrounding landscape, while still maintaining the barn’s function as a garage. The space includes a living/dining/kitchen area, a deck, a bedroom, and a bathroom on the main living level. The entry level contains a brew room as well as space for the yard maintenance equipment and storage.
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