Featured EcoBuilders Projects

This LEED Platinum building is unique in the region. The facility received LEED Platinum certification in 2015 and again in 2019 and is Net Zero Energy verified. It has been certified LEED Zero Energy and LEED Zero Water. It is one of only seventeen Net Zero Energy Buildings in New York State. This building has been featured in articles by USGBC and spotlighted in Green Building Illustrated by Francis D.K. Ching.

The solar panels on the southerly facing roofs are projected to produce approximately 98% of the building’s electricity use. The walls are made with insulated concrete forms (ICF), which provide high insulative value, minimal thermal bridging, and extremely airtight construction.

The roof is made with a structural insulated panel (SIP) system which provides an R-50 insulation as well as being air-tight. The windows are super-efficient R-7 windows. High efficiency light fixtures with automated controls, porous pavers in the parking lot, and a maximally efficient mechanical system are some of the additional high performance, green aspects of the new building.

Below is a time lapse video throughout the entire construction for the office building on 231 Main St. New Paltz, NY.

Nestled on a serene 20-acre wooded lot in High Falls, Ulster County, NY, this carbon-neutral, net-zero energy residence exemplifies ultra-energy-efficient and sustainable design. Designed by Alfandre Architecture and constructed by our sister company, EcoBuilders, between late 2021 and autumn 2022, the home integrates advanced building science and sustainable construction strategies to achieve exceptional performance, resilience, and comfort.

Airtight Construction:

This 1,100 SF super-insulated passive solar home—constructed to meet Passive House standards—features an exceptionally tight building envelope with measured air leakage of just 0.6 ACH50, no thermal bridging, and ultra-resilient Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls. The airtight roof is built using 20-inch-deep parallel cord wood trusses, top and bottom sheathed with airtight layers and dense-pack cellulose insulation.

Outdoor Living Space:

A 1,000 SF wraparound deck and an enclosed, covered porch made from locally sourced, rough-sawn hemlock offer durable, low-maintenance outdoor living space, while the large south-facing triple-glazed windows and doors (U-factor 0.2) flood the interior with natural light and frame sweeping views of the northern Shawangunk Mountains.

High-efficiency Smart Home:

The residence is fully electrified and equipped with a ground-source heat pump (geothermal) system for heating and cooling. Radiant floor heating runs throughout the slab-on-grade home, while an air-source heat pump provides domestic hot water. A high-efficiency Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system delivers continuous fresh air for superior indoor air quality. Smart-home features, including Lutron lighting controls, enhance comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency.

Thinking About the Future:

Designed with the future in mind, this residence supports aging in place with a single-level floor plan, low-maintenance materials, and easy-to-navigate spaces. The home’s radiant floor heating, superior indoor air quality, passive solar gain, and abundant natural light all contribute to a profound sense of comfort, well-being, and healthful living. Every element—from the envelope to the energy systems—was chosen to enhance daily life while reducing environmental impact, offering a nurturing and stable home for decades to come.

Performance Certifications:

Certified to the highest national performance standards—including DOE Zero Energy Ready, LEED for Homes Gold, EPA Indoor airPLUS, ENERGY STAR, and NYSERDA’s Carbon Neutral standard—this home is a model of climate-conscious residential architecture and construction. It reflects our firm’s mission to create inspiring buildings that heal the planet, enhance well-being, and honor future generations.

The Emerson Resort and Spa is located in Mt. Tremper, New York. In 2013 Alfandre Architecture, EcoBuilders and CAMA Inc. were contracted to renovate and reconstruct the restaurant and spa.

Between 2014 and 2016 the focus of construction was on the restaurant, now named The Woodnotes Grille, and the spa. This work included sophisticated lighting and elegant details throughout that linked the two functions. In addition to these primary areas of work the team also updated the guest rooms, the interior and exterior of the Inn and added refreshing touches on the other buildings within the property.

Our work included the design and construction of various custom furniture elements and casework, and detail moldings throughout the Inn. Other notable projects, completed with the Emerson Team, include the new Laundry facility and restoration of the outdoor event Pavilion. Throughout the construction the resort remained open to the public.

A great design build project for a residential client with an accelerated schedule.

A panelized modular building system was used to create an air tight highly efficient building envelope.

EcoBuilders worked closely with a building-systems specialist to ensure optimal performance and proper functioning from the building. Particular care was taken to reduce the impact of moisture from the indoor pool.

EcoBuilders constructed an upgraded Fire Station and Emergency Shelter, designed by Alfandre Architecture, with a larger apparatus bay to accommodate modern fire truck technology.

The redesigned and expanded building now serves as an improved Fire Station and temporary emergency shelter for the local area, with showers, a kitchen, areas for recharging devices, and a sleeping area.

Upgrades include the reconfiguration of the existing interior space, a partial demolition and repurposing of the 1960s apparatus bay, and the addition of a new larger apparatus bay to accomodate full-size modern fire trucks. Site logistics during 1960s construction required the apparatus bay to be built with a low ceiling. As fire truck technology advanced, the 1960s facility required custom-made small fire engines that were more costly to produce than typical engines.

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Designed by Alfandre Architecture and built by EcoBuilders, Inc. this high performance building is designed to be energy efficient while promoting the comfort and health of its occupants.

Sustainable planning strategies included the maximization of daylight through clerestory windows and the use of recycled content masonry, and a future photovoltaic array to supplement existing energy needs.

Alfandre Architecture designed a new 26,000 square foot Friary for the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in Putnam County, NY. The Friary consists of 20 private rooms, dining facilities, worship space, meeting and medical spaces. ICF (insulated concrete form) construction, triple glazed windows, energy efficient lighting and a geothermal heating system are some of the features of the new high-performance building.

The preservation and restoration of the Historic Friary and Saint Francis Chapel at Graymoor integrated our project goals with a sustainable vision to respect what has come before us while embracing the future.

During the first phase of the project, we created a building assessment to help understand what work was required in order to preserve and restore the Saint Francis Chapel and the Historic Graymoor Friary.  Once the building assessment was completed, we helped prepare different shingle, paint and masonry options that were historically appropriate for the chapel. Afterwards, we provided bid drawings, documents and construction administration services until the project was completed.

EcoBuilders acted as the General Contractor on the roof renovation for the Historic Friary and St. Francis Chapel, managing and overseeing all of the work that went into restoring and preserving this beautiful structure.

This building is an economical, well insulated Hudson Valley Residence.

This project was designed by Alfandre Architecture, and built by EcoBuilders, Inc.

“We live in a beautiful house…it’s so well made. My brother-in-law, who is very hard to impress, is impressed! They just don’t build houses like this…we are so lucky to live here.”
– Client

The Story
Felicity and Elaine bought a lakeside property and began their search for a builder with design-build capability. After reviewing the EcoBuilders website and watching the Emerson case study video with Naomi and Emily they were sold; the next step was to make the phone call to Joe Buglino.

The goal of this new residential project was to build a highly energy efficient home on a lakeside property in Westchester County. The lot was tight and there were a significant number of building restrictions at the waters edge. EcoBuilders effectively determined the site placement, integrating the house and land it is sitting on and positioning it to efficiently take advantage of the maximum amount of solar energy while still enjoying the lake views.

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Certified Gold under the USGBC LEED for Homes program, this light and sun-filled single family residence exceeds current energy code requirements by more than 60%.

The house is oriented to provide the main living spaces with abundant light all year long. Deep overhangs are used to control solar gain in the summertime.

Equipped with a solar electric as well as a solar hot water system, energy costs are offset by approximately 50% per year. The house is maximally energy efficient, with insulation and air sealing of paramount concern. Fresh air is cycled through the house using a heat recovery ventilation system.

It is an elegant home situated in the woods and built with minimal site disturbance.

We built a new pool house for an existing Alfandre designed residence.  The pool house not only includes storage for the pool equipment, but also a new bathroom and small kitchen with bar seating at the beautiful infinity edge pool.

EcoBuilders Inc. worked on the renovations of the Rosendale Theatre located in Rosendale, NY. Designed by Alfandre Architecture, the goal of the project was to improve the façade and accessibility of the theatre while incorporating traditional building styles.

The existing exterior of the theatre has been renovated to enhance and further enliven the streetscape of Rosendale. A handicapped accessible entry was added along with repairs to the existing foundations and first floor structure.