CDG Team Project Tour: Fall 2026

 

So much of our work is shared around a table. We hear project names in meetings, pass drawings between desks, talk through details, materials, schedules, and decisions, and follow along as each project progresses. But there is something entirely different about stepping outside the studio and seeing that work firsthand.

Our recent CDG project tour gave our team a chance to do exactly that.

Over the course of the day, we visited four projects at very different stages: Vermont Studio Center, an "almost-completed" project, 1825 Hill House, and Heron Pond. Each offered a glimpse into the work our coworkers have been diligently moving forward day in and day out.

Above: CDG on the back porch of the Kowalsky House

 

Seeing the Work Behind the Conversations

Project tours give us an opportunity to put a place to the names, drawings, and conversations we have every day.

For the team members deeply involved in a project, it's a chance to share what they've been working through and point out the decisions and details that might otherwise go unnoticed. For everyone else, it's an opportunity to see those ideas at full scale, to walk through the spaces, understand their relationship to the site, and experience the progress beyond a drawing or photograph.

Above, Left to Right: CDG Team walking towards VSC's Red Mill Building. The view from the Red Mill Building of the bridge and more campus buildings.

 

First Stop: Vermont Studio Center

Our day began at the Vermont Studio Center, where CDG has maintained a longstanding relationship with the campus and its evolving architectural needs.

Walking the grounds together gave us an opportunity to see how individual projects contribute to the campus as a whole. From historic buildings to spaces adapted for contemporary use, each reflects an ongoing effort to support the creative community that calls the Vermont Studio Center home.

Above, Left to Right: CDG Team walking by Pearl House (click photo to view video), CDG Team viewing Corner House, most recent VSC & CDG historic restoration project

Above: A drawing of VSC's Kowalsky House that one of our architects, Chad Forcier, drew in 2017

To learn more about the historical preservation and stories behind the buildings, visit the link from VSC's website: vermontstudiocenter.org/historic-buildings

 

Second Stop: An "Almost Completed" Project

Our next stop was a residential project nearing completion, the finishing touches were bringing the home to life.

Above: Exterior angles of the under-construction project (project name to be determined)

Kitchen cabinetry was being installed, tile work was underway, and the exterior was entering its final stages of completion. Walking through the nearly finished spaces gave our team a chance to appreciate the craftsmanship and see how the project has progressed. A particular favorite among the team was the home's distinctive stepped windows, an architectural detail that caught everyone's attention (besides the spectacular views).

Above, Left to Right: Shower tile progress, "Stepped" windows, kitchen cabinets in the midst of installation.

 

Third Stop: 1825 Hill House

From there, we continued to 1825 Hill House, where the character of an older Vermont home provided a different perspective on the design process.

Above: CDG Team walking down the driveway of 1825 Hill House (click photo to watch video).

Working with existing architecture requires a thoughtful understanding of what is already there. Seeing the home in person allowed our team to appreciate its history, proportions, and details while considering how the design work responds to the building's character.

Above: 1825 Hill House landscaping and hardscaping progress photos.

Outside, the property was undergoing an equally exciting transformation. New stone terraces, granite steps, and an in-progress pool were beginning to define the outdoor spaces, connecting the historic farmhouse and red barn with the surrounding landscape and mountain views. Inside, ongoing renovations gave our team an opportunity to discuss the details firsthand, from cabinetry and finishes to the relationship between existing and newly designed spaces.

With construction still underway, the visit offered a particularly interesting look at how old and new are coming together across the property.

Above, Left to Right: Kristen Cartiglia, our Senior Interior Designer, explaining design decisions in the space. View out of the kitchen windows. Milford Cushman reviewing bathroom elevations.

 

Fourth Stop: Heron Pond

Our final destination brought us to Heron Pond, where a thoughtful blend of historic character, craftsmanship, and expressive interiors is taking shape.

Throughout the project, our team has spent countless hours discussing materials, finishes, and architectural / interior design details. Walking through the home together offered a chance to see those selections in context and appreciate how individual decisions contribute to the larger design.

For a closer look at the project's progress, explore our blog post, “On the Jobsite: Heron Pond,” and our most recent post of Heron Pond on Instagram: www.instagram.com/p/Dec8SnjkdjV/?img_index=1

Above: Heron Pond South View

 

The Value of Getting Out There

While each stop offered something different, the most meaningful part of the day was the opportunity to experience our colleagues' work together.

There's a particular value in hearing someone explain a design decision while standing in the space itself. Questions arise naturally, conversations take new directions, and the team gains a deeper understanding of the thought behind each decision. These visits also remind us that every project represents the collective effort of many people, from the architects and interior designers developing the vision to the builders and craftspeople bringing it to life.