At Alter Eco, we have found that the top two homeowner concerns of energy efficient, green homes are cost and style. We’ve resolved both issues. We provide architectural, construction management and sustainable consulting services to create cost effective, high performance homes and small commercial buildings in many styles.
project
planning
Better up-front planning = more cost effective
We use building science and advanced computer software to design your home virtually. This allows us to reduce project costs before a shovel hits the ground (while it’s most cost effective).
virtual
design
Virtual Design = choice of style
Quite often, green homes are created in the modern style, with boxy, high-tech aesthetics. While this aesthetic works for some people, we realize that people want a choice. Want a Victorian style? We can do that!
maximize
performance
We strive to create “net zero ready” homes.
What this means to you as a homeowner is that once you add an on-site renewable energy system, (typically Solar Photovoltaic Panels and/or Solar Hot Water) you can generate as much clean, renewable energy on your own property as you can consume.
minimize
impact
Our unique approach means homes have less construction waste.
And shorter construction timelines, improved energy & water efficiency and better indoor air quality than our competition.
reduce
costs
We employ the same approach to small commercial buildings.
Our goal is to maximize building performance and comfort, while minimizing project construction timelines and costs.
the founders
Joe Lombardi, AIA, LEED AP
Joe is a registered architect in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Michigan & Florida. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Pennsylvania Society of Architects and holds certifications from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) as well as Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Certification (LEED AP). He graduated Cum Laud with a BArch degree from Temple University in 1987 and received his first state architectural registration in 1989.
At a young age he discovered an interest in the process of conceiving an idea, putting it on paper and implementing the construction of it in both practical form (designing and building speaker cabinets and musical instrument road cases) and artistic expression (wood carving, sketching & jewelry making). While also developing a business sense by selling these items to local musicians and in local shops.
Joe’s architectural career was fueled by a passion for the investigation and development of the use of new and underutilized existing proven products and technologies which increased comfort, while providing energy and construction efficiency in Residential and Commercial design & construction.
Over the past 26 years of architectural practice he has been able to balance the ability to provide services to a home owner wanting to renovate their home to meet the changing needs of their family as well as a large commercial client that is expanding a several hundred thousand square foot entertainment venue. He attributes this to the sense of teamwork that is promoted between the owner, contractor and architect as well as listening intently to the client’s needs in order to reach the programmatic, aesthetic and budgetary goals for the project.
He has Implemented and managed office CAD systems, created and managed Master Detail Library & Project File data base systems and developed and maintained a proprietary specification & contractor data base system.
He served as adjunct staff at Philadelphia University from 1997 to 1998 where he taught a 3d CAD visualization course.
He also has studied guitar, recorded and performed original music in and around the Philadelphia area for over 40 years with notable shows at the World Café & Troc Theaters in Philadelphia and The World Café Queen Theater in Delaware.
He is a husband for over 28 years and father of two children.
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Brian Falcon, AIA, LEED®AP BD+C, CPHC
Brian has always been passionate about sustainable living and design. He is a registered architect in Pennsylvania, and became a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED®AP) in 2004, to focus professionally on sustainability and energy efficiency. In 2008, he founded the Berks/Lancaster Green Building Association to help local, like-minded professionals collectively expand their green building skills at the grass roots level. Most recently, Brian has become a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), as certified through the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). This program incorporates high performance building science principles and passive house techniques to create the best path to Net Zero and Net Positive Energy buildings.
To improve the efficiency of project design and construction processes, Brian is highly experienced with Building Information Modeling (BIM) software. BIM is used to create a digital 3-dimensional representation of a project with multiple layers of intelligent data which may be analyzed at any time during the design, construction or occupancy phase of a building. Building the project virtually ensures accuracy and improves the understanding how building components and assemblies work together, which greatly reduces “unknowns” and other inefficiencies during construction. In addition, BIM provides a highly effective way for those not used to reading conventional construction drawings to feel fully engaged as part of the design team.
Brian is married with four children. He is a nationally licensed soccer coach and has coached all four kids. The family enjoys camping and connecting with nature whenever possible. At home Brian leads the family in exploring the world of permaculture to learn how to live more holistically by designing and building fun and multi-functional projects on their property which provide food, energy, aesthetics and natural habitat for beneficial animals.
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