The Martha's Vineyard Times

Habitat of Martha's Vineyard will partner with kit house maker

December 28, 2011

Photo by Neal Sullivan

JR Thomas prepares to score a 2x12 for his new house in West Tisbury. [More Photos]

Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard has announced a partnership with the Thomas family and the community to build a kit house at 50 Bailey Park Road in West Tisbury.

Andre Mallegol, chairman of Habitat's building committee decided to work with FirstDay Cottage in an effort to reduce costs, according to a press release. Based in Walpole, N.H., FirstDay has created a 1,200-square-foot house designed by David Howard, an MIT-trained architectural designer who customized his design so that the house can be built by people with no construction experience.

Lee Taberner, Habitat's construction supervisor, has had previous experience building a FirstDay Cottage kit, and he likes the simplicity of assembling them. Mssrs. Mallegol and Taberner consulted with Marc Rosenbaum PE of South Mountain Company to work out air sealing and insulation details.

FirstDay Cottage designs are inspired by post and beam construction but uses standard dimensional lumber throughout, meaning there is no plywood or sheetrock, to save initial and maintenance costs.

Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard schedules build days every Friday and Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Through the winter Saturday volunteers will be treated to a free lunch generously donated by JB Blau – owner of Sharky's Cantina. No experience, no tools, no lunch — no problem!

For more information, contact Executive Director Neal A. Sullivan at 508-696-4646. Or sign up online to volunteer at www.habitatmv.org/volunteer.html.