East Branch Studio

04/24/2026

01/21/2026

“I met Kent Hicks soon after I’d purchased acreage. I’d begun a search for someone to work with in building a small, well designed, ecologically-oriented home. Kent was the first person I met with. I felt such an immediate collaborative resonance with him that I went no further in my search. I knew intuitively that I wanted East Branch Studio to build my home.
The EBH construction team was terrific: professional, caring, reliable, super competent and dedicated. This wasn’t just a job for any of them. Building was their vocation. I felt part of their collaborative family for a time.
The entire process impressed me....from the team itself, to the subs and advisors who worked with them; from knowledge of their field, to integrity of design; from excellence in craftsmanship, to careful control of costs... and more. The process itself has left me loving my time in the Berkshires and feeling grateful to and very appreciative of East Branch Studio and their team.” J.B.

Get in touch - links in bio

12/02/2025

Wikipedia defines a closet as an enclosed space, with a door, used for storage of clothes.

East Branch Studio defines a closet as…..well…..see above

Big props to Tom our cabinet shop lead and Ryan our installer, well done.

Bored with your closet?

Let East Branch design and build you something beautiful.

11/10/2025

Removing a fireplace in one of our Berkshires projects to install high performance windows

10/20/2025

Awesome community project last weekend! 🛠️

The East Branch Studio team (current employees + talented alumni) put their trade skills to work building a much-needed new goat shed for the J.S. Bryant School. We can’t claim this structure is high performance, but we feel confident the goats will like it.

Shout out to J.S. Bryant founder Ben Bederson for getting in the mix with us. Huge thanks to every volunteer who helped make this happen! What a team! 🐐

     

09/25/2025

✨ Meet the Black Barn ✨
Modern form, timeless materials, and carbon-conscious design — the Black Barn is one of our most loved predesigned models at East Branch Studio.

Designed with both efficiency and aesthetic impact in mind, this sleek structure is fully customizable and optimized for net zero energy performance. Whether it’s a home, studio, or retreat, the Black Barn makes a bold architectural statement while blending seamlessly into the natural beauty of the Berkshires.

🏡 High-performance envelope
🌱 All-electric systems
☀️ Solar-ready
♻️ Built with low-carbon materials

Let’s build something beautiful and sustainable.

📍 Based in Western Mass. | Building New England-wide

📩 DM us to learn more.

09/22/2025

From dilapidated grist mill to stunning net-zero home! We’re incredibly proud of our deep energy retrofit project in Chesterfield. This historic post and beam structure, once at risk, now stands as a beacon of sustainable design.

By meticulously upgrading insulation, air sealing, and installing high-efficiency systems, we’ve brought this antique building into the 21st century—all while preserving its unique character.

Ready to transform your own older home? Let East Branch Studio help you blend historic charm with modern energy performance.

09/04/2025

We are so proud to have served as the contractor and crew for the new J.S. Bryant School in Cummington, MA. It was an honor to work with the school’s founders and staff to transform the existing building into the safe and nurturing learning environment it is today. All of us at East Branch Studio wish the J.S. Bryant School great success in the future!

08/25/2025

We are so proud to partner with Umass BCT and the Holyoke Housing Authority / Holyoke CDC to tackle the low-cost housing problem head-on!
Over the last 4 years , we’ve had the incredible opportunity to build and move three low-cost houses to Holyoke.
At East Branch Studio, we are committed to being a part of the solution. Our founder, Kent Hicks, an adjunct professor at Umass BCT, has been instrumental in this collaboration, bringing his expertise, hard work and passion to the project.
This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when organizations come together for a common goal. We believe everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.

08/16/2025

Who doesn’t love a before and after?

Some pics from a kitchen redo we competed this month in Leverett.

Custom cabinets from our shop, Vermont Soapstone sink, Soapstone countertops, Earthenware tiles and Brimfield sourced,vintage brass pulls….we love the choices our clients made.

We delivered this job on time and on budget. All of our sub contractors did a great job moving it along but deserves a special shout out…..3 days from templating to install!

Thinking about a kitchen redo or a new build? We’d love to collaborate with you.

Look us up at eastbranch studio.com