Stroll through the charming oceanfront Wildwood neighborhood in Cumberland Foreside, and you might do a double take if you passed this home and knew it in its original incarnation as a simple summer cottage.

After more than two decades living and working in Philadelphia, Lauren and Roger knew it was time to pull up stakes and build their dream home in a place that would make them feel connected to nature. Their must-haves? Keep their carbon footprint small, work with local people and live lightly on the land.

When Jeanine and Kaitlin went hunting for their forever home, they wanted a house with ample indoor and outdoor space that would enable them to live healthfully and sustainably in the same area near Deering they’d come to know and love. What they didn’t want was to undertake a daunting renovation.

Kick off the new year with a course on building science and construction. Whether you are a homeowner who wants to boost your DIY skills or a professional looking to stay informed, there are many opportunities in Maine to increase your knowledge in modern approaches to residential construction. Hear from three Maine organizations that are leading the way in providing education in this space. Join us to learn about their programs and other opportunities to increase your homebuilding and construction skillset.

• Anna Heath, project manager at Maine Passive House and founder of We Built This
• Christy Crocker, executive director at Maine Indoor Air Quality Council, offering the Residential Construction Training series
• Randy Rand, training director at passivhausMAINE