Mad River Valley Cottage
ARCHITECT: Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design PHOTOS: Susan Teare
This 1,100 sq. ft. 3-bedroom cottage in the Mad River valley was designed by architect Elizabeth Herrmann for a family of four who dreamed of downsizing and reducing energy consumption. Situated on an east-facing slope with a view over the Mad River, the little black house features a standing seam roof, triple-glazed windows from Alpen and a high-performing insulation package. A small Morso wood stove provides heat in the winter. A single Mitsubishi heat pump provides cooling in the summer and backup heat in the winter. Water is heated by an electric heat pump water heater.