Alfandre Architecture

From easy renovations to new home designs, these firms specialize in energy-efficient living at its best

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Alfandre Architecture
231 Main Street, Suite 201, New Paltz
(845) 255-4774 | Alfandre.com

Alfandre Architecture’s mission is to create inspiring buildings that heal the planet, enhance well-being, and honor future generations. Led by one of the Hudson Valley’s early leaders in the green building movement, architect Rick Alfandre. The New Paltz-based firm is known for climactically responsive buildings that prioritize energy efficiency and comfort in tandem.

Take, for example, one of its recently completed residences in High Falls. Nestled on a serene 20-acre wooded lot, the carbon-neutral, net-zero energy home exemplifies the firm’s ultra-energy-efficient and sustainable design. Designed by Alfandre Architecture and constructed by its sister company, EcoBuilders, the home integrates advanced building science and sustainable construction strategies to achieve peak performance, resilience, and comfort.

The 1,100-square-foot, super-insulated passive solar home was constructed to meet Passive House standards—the most rigorous energy efficiency building principles currently in existence. To reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, it features an exceptionally tight building envelope with no thermal bridging and ultra-resilient Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls. The roof is tightly sealed, with top and bottom sheathed with airtight layers and dense-pack cellulose insulation.

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, as always, energy efficiency.

This focus on efficiency is matched by a deep commitment to livability, with a focus on spaces that open to the surrounding landscape. The wraparound deck and enclosed, covered porch are made from locally sourced, rough-sawn hemlock, offering a durable, low-maintenance outdoor living space. The large south-facing, triple-glazed windows and doors flood the interior with natural light and sweeping mountain views. With a single-level floor plan, low-maintenance materials, and easy-to-navigate spaces, the residence is an ideal home for aging-in-place.

From the envelope to the energy systems to design that maximizes enjoyment of its picturesque setting, every element of the home was chosen to enhance daily life while reducing environmental impact for decades to come.

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