WELCOME TO OUR FIRM, BRITTANI SEVERANCE

We would like to welcome our eleventh member of our architectural firm in eleven years-Brittani Severance!

Brittani is a graduate of Norwich University, where she received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies and her Master of Architecture. While at Norwich, she participated in design-build seminars working toward Creating Affordable Sustainable Architecture (CASA) Initiative. Brittani was actively involved with the Single Unit iteration which was made with nearly all locally sourced materials.

Before joining the team at Bonin Architects, Brittani worked with at Arro Design in Waitsfield, VT. Her experience focused mainly on fabric formed concrete work for residential housing.

During her free time, Brittani can be found spending time with her siblings. Brittani also enjoys spending time by the water, traveling, and seeking new adventures.

PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE

Driving through the area late this summer, you may have noticed an abundance of these beautiful purple flower spikes.  You’ll see them in the low-lying fields, swamps, and ditches along the road.  I snapped these photos on the side of Route 114 near the New London-Sutton town line.

Though beautiful, these herbaceous perennials are the highly invasive Lythrum salicaria.  Purple Loosestrife, as it is commonly known, is native to Europe and Asia and spreads very easily in NH by seeds and cuttings.  As colonies of this plant form, they choke out and displace species native to our sensitive wetland environments.  Purple Loosestrife alters the plant communities living in wetland areas, reducing the natural habitat and food sources for the fauna in these areas. 

Purple Loosestrife has no natural predators in this area, though biological controls including some beetles are being studied and considered to manage the invasive threat.  The best approach to removal is physically pulling entire plants before they seed and burning the remains, though this is probably unfeasible for large colonies.  Consider reaching out to the NHDES Exotic Species program for more information and best practices to deal with any invasive species you may come across.

FEATURED ARTICLE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME MAGAZINE

Our firm was honored to be included in the current issue of New Hampshire Home Magazine. Congratulations to Jeremy Bonin and Christopher Timberlake from Bonin Architects & Associates for being part of the team who helped create this wonderful family's home. For the full story, please click here 

BEAT THE HEAT

Summer is heating up here in the Lake Sunapee Region.  While temperatures started sizzling last week, we hope you were able to find some nice cool lake water to beat the heat.  A few weeks back, I was fortunate to be able to revisit a home and landscape we completed a couple years ago.  It’s lush plantings, dappled shade, and a seemly persistent gentle breeze make this backyard ideal for summer time outdoor living.  We are looking forward to this home and landscape maturing for years to come.

Stay cool out there everyone!