PHILADELPHIA, PA — Two Paoli-based firms, Architetra p.c., a leading architectural firm specializing in residential and commercial design, and Alter Eco, LLC, a high-performance residential and commercial builder, have announced a new project to design and build a new construction Net Zero Energy (NZE) Home in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Joseph Lombardi, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Co-Founder of both firms said, “Together our firms deliver a new paradigm of unprecedented value to our clients by combining leading-edge building science, stylish design, and affordability under one roof.”
The partnership between Architetra and Alter Eco enables the innovative design and construction required for the home to meet and exceed the stringent technical requirements of the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home Program.
The 2800 square foot single-story ranch-style home will include 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths and is designed with an open floor plan that includes a great room, dining room and kitchen. It will also include a covered rear porch and 3 car garage with a loft.
The Chester County home will be built with a state-of-the-art Net Zero Energy technology package for ultra-energy efficiency, unparalleled strength and durability, improved health, and ultimate comfort. High-Performance features will include a super-insulated building envelope, whole house active Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system, high-performance windows and doors, Water Sense plumbing fixtures, Energy Star Appliances, and a heat pump water heater. A whole house advanced HVAC system (hyper heat efficiency heating and cooling system) will provide a more comfortable living environment and achieve energy efficiency and health benefits with improved duct and fresh air ventilation. The home will also include additional features to help protect against potential health risks such as moisture, mold, pests, combustion gases, and garage pollutants. Alter Eco employs locally and responsibly sourced materials and finishes with no or ultra-low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, flooring, and carpet.
Alter Eco has won several awards for their Net Zero Energy Ready projects including the 2020 Housing Innovation Award bestowed by the U.S. Department of Energy, an award program that recognizes the top one percent of builders in the country meeting the extraordinary levels of excellence in energy and performance. The company also received a 2020 Montgomery Award for the first Zero Energy Ready Homes housing development in Bridgeport, PA, recognized as promoting Montgomery County’s comprehensive plan, Montco 2040, to develop connected communities, sustainable places, and a vibrant economy. Also in 2020, Alter Eco was a finalist in both the AIA Philadelphia Design Awards, and in 2021, a finalist in the Urban Land Institute – ULI Philadelphia Awards for Excellence.
“For anyone wanting to build a new construction home, this is the wave of the future, and it’s available right now, today. Our homeowners rave about the difference our homes. They talk about the overall value, look, and feel of the home – the freshness, the comfort, and the low energy bills. Standard-built homes simply cannot compare to the value high-performance homes offer homebuyers, so it’s a ‘no-brainer’ for them when you can deliver it at a comparable cost,” Lombardi said.
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