About these Plans
For years my firm has specialized in high performance, low energy-use homes for the northern New England climate. I have developed a wide knowledge of how to design and how to build super-insulated, super efficient, and super healthy homes. Much of my knowledge has been gained through working in a collaborative process with expert builders and people in the building science community and this is reflected in the clarity and build-ability of my plans. I am offering a few of these plans here and will continue to create more. Some of the plans are fully pre-designed - The Fern House has been replicated throughout the United States! Some of the plans are semi-custom home plans and represent a move toward a higher level of service and higher level of detailing and accountability. Contact me with questions. Please note that all plans here are protected by Federal Copyright Law.
We are always working feverishly to produce more plans and refine these existing plans. If you don't see something that fits your needs please don't hesitate to contact us!
NEW FOR 2022
SEMI-CUSTOM HOME PLANS
VSH 4,5,and 6 plus future iterations will be Semi-Custom Home plans rather than the “click to purchase” model common in the plan selling world.
This is a new business model for us here at Vermont Simple House and is designed to give a significant jump start on fully custom design services. Initial design work can easily account for half of the overall fee for full custom home design.
These designs have a very high level of detail and documentation and contract support similar to fully custom architect designed home plans. We are offering these plans in states where we are licensed to practice architecture or can partner with a local architect.
For relevant information see the “Pretty Good House” website. We design and detail these projects with those principles in mind and are involved with further development of the Pretty Good House concept.
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VSH5
Simple and Clean - a variation on the original VSH4
$12000
This is a slightly larger variation on the original VSH 4 and includes detailing for back porch with an upper deck. Construction details include double stud walls and high performance air sealing details.
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 1.5
Total Square Feet: 1656
VSH6
6+ bedrooms!
$15000
This is larger version of the VSH series with up to 6 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms on the ground floor and upstairs. There is much opportunity for customization. A walk out basement could provide even more living space
Bedrooms: 6+
Bathrooms 3 1/2+
Total Square Feet 2350
VSH4
Simple and Clean High Performance Modern Farmhouse
Featured on the cover of “Pretty Good House” by Maines, Mottram, Briley and Kolbert
$12000
Vermont Simple House 4 is a compact house that can fit into any New England neighborhood or serve as a modern farmhouse. With its compact footprint, this house has the versatility to fit on a small in-town lot or look elegant high on a hill in the country. This design incorporates ultra-high performance specifications for a truly efficient, healthy living environment. With a full bathroom on the ground floor, it can easily be adapted for aging in place. VSH 4 combines a classic exterior aesthetic with an open, clean, modern-feeling floor plan.
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2
Total Square Feet: 1452
Includes SketchUp model.
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VSH3
Seaside Cottage
$6500
This house has a coastal aesthetic and can be used as a vacation home or for year-round living. It features a compact floor plan focused on porch living and a state-of-the-art energy efficient shell. This house can easily be expanded in a variety of ways without changing the overall character.
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 1.5
Total Square Feet: 1372
Fernhouse
Woodland Napping Folly
$300
This napping shack with a skeletal framework enclosed with screen and translucent roof has been featured in many books, magazines and websites.
Includes SketchUp model and materials list
A version of a house I built many years ago Coming soon with improvements!
BASIC GARAGE PLAN $500 two versions one tall one short
Available now: VSH 8! - $12000 includes some consultation time.
VSH1
Small, simple and basic townhouse / countryhouse
$5000
Vermont Simple House 1 is a compact house that can fit into any New England neighborhood. The plan is designed for maximal flexibility. There is an option for a generous mudroom and suggestions for how to add on.
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1.5
Total Square Feet: 1370
Includes SketchUp model.
VSH4a Study Sheet
18x24 printable sheet for study or use as a sales sheet.
$30
This is a PDF file to be printed at 18x24 and used to for closer study of the VSH4a house plan.
VSH2
A small cottage or accessory dwelling
$1500
This 16×22 tiny house can be used as an accessory dwelling for rental income, Airbnb, or a guest cottage, or it can be stand-alone for tiny house living. The plans are easily adapted to many types of construction including SIPs, ICFs and double stud walls. The loft is accessed with an alternate tread staircase – check your local codes to make sure this is allowed.
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Total Square Feet: 352
Includes SketchUp model.
Vermont Simple House
72 Cotton Mill Hill
Brattleboro, VT, 05301
United States