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Mural House

Mural House

Burlington, Vermont

About

An urban residence on an infill lot in the hill section of Burlington, Vermont.

Internally, the open volumes are interlaced through the staircases. The open staircase lends a narrow glimpse to the roof mural that is on full display from the primary bedroom on the upper level. The main entry opens into a transom-lit gallery space with large-scale paintings visible from the adjacent kitchen, living, and dining areas.

The house design and construction reflect a balance of sustainable and urban design strategies. With steep grades and a constrained corner lot, the site implements a water mitigation plan to control erosion and rainwater run-off. The flat roofs presented an opportunity for a large-scale canvas, realized by Vermont artist Clark Derbes. The roof structure enables the rainwater to be efficiently contained, captured, and tied to the underground collection system. A roof-mounted 15kw solar array is visually hidden from the pedestrian. The roof and walls are insulated with R-7/inch closed-cell foam. Double-stud wall construction allows for ease of future interior renovation. The mechanical cooling system is a series of highly efficient electric mini-split heat pumps distributing cool air individually to each space. The heating system is a high-efficiency natural gas boiler. Make-up air is provided through a mechanical energy recovery ventilation system. All windows and doors are thermally broken aluminum-clad frames with double-pane insulated glass with argon gas and Low-E coatings. The exterior siding is western hemlock, a sustainable and renewable material. Life safety parameters are met through a whole house sprinkler system.

Credit

Architecture

Birdseye

Building

Birdseye

Dubuque Construction

Mural

Clark Derbes

Photography

Erica Allen

Ivar Bastress

Completed

2021

Type

Single-family Residence

Recognition

2021 AIA VT Citation Award

2020 Arch Daily

2020 Architizer – Featured Project

2020 Home World Design

Est. 1984

3104 Huntington Road


Richmond, Vermont 05477

802.434.2112

hello@birdseyevt.com

© 2025

Birdseye

Designed by Mikulak Design

Est. 1984

3104 Huntington Road


Richmond, Vermont 05477

802.434.2112

hello@birdseyevt.com

© 2025

Birdseye

Designed by Mikulak Design

Est. 1984

3104 Huntington Road


Richmond, Vermont 05477

802.434.2112

hello@birdseyevt.com

© 2025 Birdseye

Designed by Mikulak Design