The focus of Alpha Builders Group is on building the best quality new homes with the most energy efficient and luxurious finishes we can find so that we can offer the best home possible to our homebuyers. It is something we passionately believe in just as much as we believe in providing a home that can be considered the best home our homebuyers can and will ever buy. Our homeowners know this, especially during winter cold snaps or the summer heat where the energy bills stay low despite the extreme temperatures. Modern-Homes-on-Tillery-Street-Austin-Texas-108_Unit_1_Living_area Energy efficiency is a top priority for us starting with providing the best quality highest efficient insulation to help lower electric bills. Every home we build at Alpha Builders Group has the added insulation within the home with spray foam on every inner wall and under every stairway to help secure the home as well as keep noise from travelling within the home. The control of each room’s environment is an additional bonus to help guarantee climate controls throughout the home through the use of spray foam to insulate every room. Share your thoughts with us or Contact one of our representatives for more information about our new homes or to remodel your home and we’ll get right on it with the best in European Craftsmanship and highest quality products and finishes.

The focus of Alpha Builders Group is on building the best quality new homes with the most energy efficient and luxurious finishes we can find so that we can offer the best home possible to our homebuyers. It is something we passionately believe in just as much as we believe in providing a home that can be considered the best home our homebuyers can and will ever buy. Our homeowners know this, especially during winter cold snaps or the summer heat where the energy bills stay low despite the extreme temperatures. Modern-Homes-on-Tillery-Street-Austin-Texas-108_Unit_1_Living_area Energy efficiency is a top priority for us starting with providing the best quality highest efficient insulation to help lower electric bills. Every home we build at Alpha Builders Group has the added insulation within the home with spray foam on every inner wall and under every stairway to help secure the home as well as keep noise from travelling within the home. The control of each room’s environment is an additional bonus to help guarantee climate controls throughout the home through the use of spray foam to insulate every room. Share your thoughts with us or Contact one of our representatives for more information about our new homes or to remodel your home and we’ll get right on it with the best in European Craftsmanship and highest quality products and finishes.

This newly constructed energy efficient modern home was designed to take advantage of the sweeping views of the Shawangunk Ridge. Oversized windows, lift-and-slide doors and an open plan help to bring the beauty of the surrounding landscape into the home. A shipping container Modpool with an integral hot tub and aquarium-style viewing window integrate with the modern aesthetic. A simple form, high-efficiency heating/cooling system, high-performance triple-glazed European windows, solar panels, and careful construction detailing make for a low energy use home. Metal siding and roofing, exposed concrete, and uPVC doors and windows make for a durable low-maintenance structure.

Photo credit: Michael Moran/OTTO. We designed this home with a flat roof so that you can barely see the large arrays of PVs (solar panels). If you look very carefully, you can see the outline of the panels above the eaves, but they're almost impossible to spot. The design concept for this home is that you wouldn't see anything on top of the roofs, but the truth is that the photovoltaics contribute significantly to the home's energy efficiency. The home is LEED certified and our clients tell us it's comfortable and cozy throughout the year.

We re-worked the floor plan to open up the space in this 1950s ranch, added new high performance windows, an energy efficient fireplace, reclaimed timbers, and lime plaster to completely transform the feel of the space. Photo credit to Mark Bayer Photography.

This new 6400 s.f. two-story split-level home lifts upward and orients toward unobstructed views of Windy Hill. The deep overhanging flat roof design with a stepped fascia preserves the classic modern lines of the building while incorporating a Zero-Net Energy photovoltaic panel system. From start to finish, the construction is uniformly energy efficient and follows California Build It Green guidelines. Many sustainable finish materials are used on both the interior and exterior, including recycled old growth cedar and pre-fabricated concrete panel siding. Photo by: www.bernardandre.com

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

Seward Street is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) designed for an older couple to age in place – to live independently and comfortably, regardless of age. The fully livable ground floor has an open-flow kitchen, living, and dining room under a cathedral ceiling, with a separate bedroom, full bathroom, and laundry. This is complimented by an upstairs loft with a second full bathroom and a large open space that doubles as either a guest suite or office space. The ADU is designed within an efficient building footprint to maximize the available back yard. Built from Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) it is detailed to be airtight and well insulated, with extremely efficient space heating & cooling (ductless mini-split air source heat pump) and an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) to provide continuous fresh air while recapturing the indoor heating and cooling. It has a 400% efficient air source heat pump water heater, induction cooking, heat pump clothes dryer, and is an all-electric home. ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Ultra-High Efficiency Air Source Heat Pump Heating & Cooling System Energy Recovery Ventilator Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater Heat Pump Clothes Dryer Low-E Glazing All LED Lighting Induction Cooktop Energy Star Certified Appliances WATER EFFICIENCY: WaterSense High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures Front-Loading Clothes Washer INDOOR AIR QUALITY: All-Electric Home (no gas combustion) Energy Recovery Ventilator with MERV 13 filter Low and no-VOC materials and finishes High-Efficiency Kitchen Exhaust Fan

Seward Street is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) designed for an older couple to age in place – to live independently and comfortably, regardless of age. The fully livable ground floor has an open-flow kitchen, living, and dining room under a cathedral ceiling, with a separate bedroom, full bathroom, and laundry. This is complimented by an upstairs loft with a second full bathroom and a large open space that doubles as either a guest suite or office space. The ADU is designed within an efficient building footprint to maximize the available back yard. Built from Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) it is detailed to be airtight and well insulated, with extremely efficient space heating & cooling (ductless mini-split air source heat pump) and an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) to provide continuous fresh air while recapturing the indoor heating and cooling. It has a 400% efficient air source heat pump water heater, induction cooking, heat pump clothes dryer, and is an all-electric home. ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Ultra-High Efficiency Air Source Heat Pump Heating & Cooling System Energy Recovery Ventilator Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater Heat Pump Clothes Dryer Low-E Glazing All LED Lighting Induction Cooktop Energy Star Certified Appliances WATER EFFICIENCY: WaterSense High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures Front-Loading Clothes Washer INDOOR AIR QUALITY: All-Electric Home (no gas combustion) Energy Recovery Ventilator with MERV 13 filter Low and no-VOC materials and finishes High-Efficiency Kitchen Exhaust Fan

Seward Street is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) designed for an older couple to age in place – to live independently and comfortably, regardless of age. The fully livable ground floor has an open-flow kitchen, living, and dining room under a cathedral ceiling, with a separate bedroom, full bathroom, and laundry. This is complimented by an upstairs loft with a second full bathroom and a large open space that doubles as either a guest suite or office space. The ADU is designed within an efficient building footprint to maximize the available back yard. Built from Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) it is detailed to be airtight and well insulated, with extremely efficient space heating & cooling (ductless mini-split air source heat pump) and an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) to provide continuous fresh air while recapturing the indoor heating and cooling. It has a 400% efficient air source heat pump water heater, induction cooking, heat pump clothes dryer, and is an all-electric home. ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Ultra-High Efficiency Air Source Heat Pump Heating & Cooling System Energy Recovery Ventilator Air Source Heat Pump Water Heater Heat Pump Clothes Dryer Low-E Glazing All LED Lighting Induction Cooktop Energy Star Certified Appliances WATER EFFICIENCY: WaterSense High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures Front-Loading Clothes Washer INDOOR AIR QUALITY: All-Electric Home (no gas combustion) Energy Recovery Ventilator with MERV 13 filter Low and no-VOC materials and finishes High-Efficiency Kitchen Exhaust Fan

This project combines two existing studio apartments into a compact 800 sqft. live/work space for a young professional couple in the heart of Chelsea, New York. The design required some creative space planning to meet the Owner’s requested program for an open plan solution with a private master bedroom suite and separate study that also allowed for entertaining small parties, including the ability to provide a sleeping space for guests. The solution was to identify areas of overlap within the program that could be addressed with dual-function custom millwork pieces. A bar-stool counter at the open kitchen folds out to become a bench and dining table for formal entertaining. A custom desk folds down with a murphy bed to convert a private study into a guest bedroom area. A series of pocket door connecting the spaces provide both privacy to the master bedroom area when closed, and the option for a completely open layout when opened. A carefully selected material palette brings a warm, tranquil feel to the space. Reclaimed teak floors run seamlessly through the main spaces to accentuate the open layout. Warm gray lacquered millwork, Centaurus granite slabs, and custom oxidized stainless steel details, give an elegant counterpoint to the natural teak floors. The master bedroom suite and study feature custom Afromosia millwork. The bathrooms are finished with cool toned ceramic tile, custom Afromosia vanities, and minimalist chrome fixtures. Custom LED lighting provides dynamic, energy efficient illumination throughout. Photography: Mikiko Kikuyama

This remodeled kitchen features a bold and modern design that balances warm and cool tones with premium finishes. The upper cabinets are crafted in a copper-rust finish, providing a rich, earthy warmth, while the lower cabinets showcase a striking blue metallic finish that adds depth and contrast. A glass-front display cabinet with integrated LED lighting highlights glassware and creates a sophisticated focal point above the sink area. The countertops and full backsplash are fabricated from elegant quartz, with dramatic veining that enhances the luxury feel of the space while providing durability and low maintenance. A stainless steel undermount sink is paired with a sleek modern faucet, positioned perfectly under a wide set of windows that flood the kitchen with natural light. For performance and efficiency, the kitchen is equipped with a 220V line powering an energy-efficient induction cooktop, paired with an energy-efficient stainless steel micro-hood for ventilation. A super water-efficient dishwasher is seamlessly integrated into the lower cabinetry, ensuring sustainability without compromising convenience. Overall, this remodel combines quartz countertops and backsplash, high-end cabinetry, and modern energy-saving appliances, resulting in a stylish, efficient, and highly functional kitchen space.

This remodeled kitchen features a bold and modern design that balances warm and cool tones with premium finishes. The upper cabinets are crafted in a copper-rust finish, providing a rich, earthy warmth, while the lower cabinets showcase a striking blue metallic finish that adds depth and contrast. A glass-front display cabinet with integrated LED lighting highlights glassware and creates a sophisticated focal point above the sink area. The countertops and full backsplash are fabricated from elegant quartz, with dramatic veining that enhances the luxury feel of the space while providing durability and low maintenance. A stainless steel undermount sink is paired with a sleek modern faucet, positioned perfectly under a wide set of windows that flood the kitchen with natural light. For performance and efficiency, the kitchen is equipped with a 220V line powering an energy-efficient induction cooktop, paired with an energy-efficient stainless steel micro-hood for ventilation. A super water-efficient dishwasher is seamlessly integrated into the lower cabinetry, ensuring sustainability without compromising convenience. Overall, this remodel combines quartz countertops and backsplash, high-end cabinetry, and modern energy-saving appliances, resulting in a stylish, efficient, and highly functional kitchen space.

This remodeled kitchen features a bold and modern design that balances warm and cool tones with premium finishes. The upper cabinets are crafted in a copper-rust finish, providing a rich, earthy warmth, while the lower cabinets showcase a striking blue metallic finish that adds depth and contrast. A glass-front display cabinet with integrated LED lighting highlights glassware and creates a sophisticated focal point above the sink area. The countertops and full backsplash are fabricated from elegant quartz, with dramatic veining that enhances the luxury feel of the space while providing durability and low maintenance. A stainless steel undermount sink is paired with a sleek modern faucet, positioned perfectly under a wide set of windows that flood the kitchen with natural light. For performance and efficiency, the kitchen is equipped with a 220V line powering an energy-efficient induction cooktop, paired with an energy-efficient stainless steel micro-hood for ventilation. A super water-efficient dishwasher is seamlessly integrated into the lower cabinetry, ensuring sustainability without compromising convenience. Overall, this remodel combines quartz countertops and backsplash, high-end cabinetry, and modern energy-saving appliances, resulting in a stylish, efficient, and highly functional kitchen space.

This remodeled kitchen features a bold and modern design that balances warm and cool tones with premium finishes. The upper cabinets are crafted in a copper-rust finish, providing a rich, earthy warmth, while the lower cabinets showcase a striking blue metallic finish that adds depth and contrast. A glass-front display cabinet with integrated LED lighting highlights glassware and creates a sophisticated focal point above the sink area. The countertops and full backsplash are fabricated from elegant quartz, with dramatic veining that enhances the luxury feel of the space while providing durability and low maintenance. A stainless steel undermount sink is paired with a sleek modern faucet, positioned perfectly under a wide set of windows that flood the kitchen with natural light. For performance and efficiency, the kitchen is equipped with a 220V line powering an energy-efficient induction cooktop, paired with an energy-efficient stainless steel micro-hood for ventilation. A super water-efficient dishwasher is seamlessly integrated into the lower cabinetry, ensuring sustainability without compromising convenience. Overall, this remodel combines quartz countertops and backsplash, high-end cabinetry, and modern energy-saving appliances, resulting in a stylish, efficient, and highly functional kitchen space.

This remodeled kitchen features a bold and modern design that balances warm and cool tones with premium finishes. The upper cabinets are crafted in a copper-rust finish, providing a rich, earthy warmth, while the lower cabinets showcase a striking blue metallic finish that adds depth and contrast. A glass-front display cabinet with integrated LED lighting highlights glassware and creates a sophisticated focal point above the sink area. The countertops and full backsplash are fabricated from elegant quartz, with dramatic veining that enhances the luxury feel of the space while providing durability and low maintenance. A stainless steel undermount sink is paired with a sleek modern faucet, positioned perfectly under a wide set of windows that flood the kitchen with natural light. For performance and efficiency, the kitchen is equipped with a 220V line powering an energy-efficient induction cooktop, paired with an energy-efficient stainless steel micro-hood for ventilation. A super water-efficient dishwasher is seamlessly integrated into the lower cabinetry, ensuring sustainability without compromising convenience. Overall, this remodel combines quartz countertops and backsplash, high-end cabinetry, and modern energy-saving appliances, resulting in a stylish, efficient, and highly functional kitchen space.

AWARD WINNING | International Green Good Design Award OVERVIEW | This home was designed as a primary residence for a family of five in a coastal a New Jersey town. On a tight infill lot within a traditional neighborhood, the home maximizes opportunities for light and space, consumes very little energy, incorporates multiple resiliency strategies, and offers a clean, green, modern interior. ARCHITECTURE & MECHANICAL DESIGN | ZeroEnergy Design CONSTRUCTION | C. Alexander Building PHOTOS | Eric Roth Photography

Lighting in a kitchen is not only about form but also function as this room functions as both a popular gathering spot and a work space as well. LED lights are now available in a variety of styles and brightness options to suit everything from traditional to modern. If your ceilings are 9 feet or higher, consider choosing a brighter recessed LED light as your general lighting. Also, keep in mind that if you are over 40 years old, chances are your eyes may soon appreciate a little more brightness during work mode. When you have the option, positioning the LED recessed light cans directly over work areas, where shadows will not block light, will maximize the effectiveness of the light. Remember to choose a dimmable LED light and that will enable you to easily slide from work mode light levels to softer light levels with more ambiance. Adding under cabinet LED lighting is another great way to brighten up the counter workspace areas. Make sure to get dimmable under cabinet LED lights as they can also function as a beautiful way to leave a little light in the kitchen after you and your guests have moved the party to another room. The quality of the LED light you choose is more important in your kitchen than most other rooms. Choosing higher quality lights with a CRI (Color Rendering Index ) of 90+ will make your kitchen colors, and meals look colorful and accurate, thus avoiding that dreaded florescent "washed out" look. Your kitchen is a busy, creative and productive space for which you now can find both modern or traditional energy efficient LED lights to enhance both the form and function of the room.