Monadnock Conservancy

Designed as the new headquarters for a nonprofit conservation organization, this project transforms an empty downtown lot in Keene into a high-performance, all-electric facility that supports both daily office operations and community engagement. Located along Ashuelot Street and adjacent to the expanding Ashuelot River Park, the 6,200 sf building includes office space and a community room for events and educational programming, reinforcing the organization’s mission to serve the region and connect people to the land.

CES provided mechanical, electrical, and lighting engineering design for the project, supporting the client’s goal of creating a highly sustainable, all-electric facility capable of achieving net zero energy performance. The building is designed with energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in mind, incorporating ductless VRF heat pump systems, energy recovery ventilation, rooftop solar photovoltaics, and electric vehicle charging. Lighting systems were carefully designed to minimize energy use and comply with dark sky requirements, responding to the building’s river-adjacent location. CES helped deliver a high-performance facility aligned with the Conservancy’s mission, operational needs, and commitment to environmental stewardship.