More than 840 people gathered for the 2026 Better Building by Design (BBD) conference on May 6th, the region’s premier design and construction conference held each year by Efficiency Vermont. Ten organizations were honored with “Best of the Best” awards for leadership and innovative projects. Tenth Cavalry Apartments was one of the award-winning projects.
Residential New Construction – Affordable Housing Innovation for Multi-Family Homes:
Champlain Housing Trust & Evernorth for the 10th Cavalry Apartments in Colchester. Transforming three National Register-listed buildings into 65 mixed-income affordable homes in the Fort Ethan Allen Historic District required navigating complex historic
preservation and environmental challenges. Working with the National Park Service, the project restored tin ceilings, slate roofs, and historic windows—all while adding insulation and removing contaminants like asbestos and lead. Conforming to historic restrictions required installing high-efficiency gas boilers for heat and hot water. The team also added high-efficiency lighting, appliances, and EV chargers. This project preserves the legacy of the 10th Cavalry Regiment of Buffalo Soldiers housed there from 1909 to 1913, while also delivering permanently affordable and energy- efficient homes.