Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) transformed a 120 year old cattle barn into an office and dormitory space, which required insulation and renovations to a historic Vermont barn. Foamed Glass Aggregate was a green building solution that aligned with sustainability and performance standards.
The East Monitor Barn presented unique constraints, combining modern performance requirements and historic preservation. The barn was originally built in 1901 as a cattle barn and maintained its original agricultural purpose for over a century before being adapted for VYCC’s office use. Key challenges included:
Foamed glass aggregate was specified as subslab insulation to provide the needed thermal performance and environmental credentials needed. The 12 inch compacted layer of foamed glass aggregate used achieved R20 insulation value, which created a conditioned interior space between the first floor offices and the ground below. The project team also removed and recycled the pre-existing concrete slabs at a nearby facility, using them as subbase material below the foamed glass aggregate. The two person installation team installed the 285 cubic yards of foamed glass aggregate in two days, keeping the project on schedule. By transforming a historic Vermont building into a modern, energy efficient space, the project demonstrated how historic preservation, retrofits, and environmental performance can work together.
