Our Work

Renewable Energy and Battery Storage - Residential Projects

Residential Renewable Energy and Battery Storage Systems

Renewable Energy and Battery Storage Projects

Check out a few of the different renewable (wind, solar PV, solar thermal, geothermal) systems and battery storage projects we've done over the years for our utility scale, commercial, and residential clients.

Commercial/Utility Renewable Energy & Battery Systems

Boulder Airport Self-Sustainable Executive Hangar

SUSTAINABLE, COOL, AND A SMOOTH FLIGHT FOR YOU

This was the first Executive VIP CAT I & II Airport Hangar ever sold at the Boulder Municipal Airport. We completed the first phase of this pilot project in 2019.  We completed a remodel for a national shoe brand's headquarters in 2022. 

The original build made it perfect for private aircraft/jet owners who want to be based right in the heart of the developing area of Boulder City. 

The first of three planned executive hangars is nestled in the premium south-west location of Boulder Airport with stunning waterfront & mountain views of Hayden Lake, the iconic Flatirons, Boulder Foothills, and white capped Front Range. 

Before being remodeled primarily for office space, the 4,650 SF executive hangar could accommodate as many as 5 aircraft and included a 30’x15’ 2nd floor mezzanine office flooded with natural light, operable skylight providing ventilation, large picture window and phenomenal Skydeck with panoramic views of the lake and flatirons. The new owners added more mezzanine square footage and windows to section off the area for an executive office space and multi-purpose/multi-media room. 

This is one of the only high-performance renewable energy executive airport hangars in the country, exempt from energy code requirements due to low energy usage of less than 1 watt/SF. It was designed with a 6 hour fire-rating, fire sprinkling system, and built with high performance hybrid engineering and technologies to offset the energy load pathways so when all renewables are added it can operate completely standalone and self-sustainable. The building envelope insulation & sound attenuation systems includes 10” Insulated Concrete Form walls using recycled materials & radiant in-floor heat. In the recent remodel we added geothermal loops to utilize the in-floor tubing for renewable cooling in the hot summer months.

The 58’x18’ Schweiss hydraulic hangar door features insulated panels (like what NASA uses inside their rockets) and 6 windows. There’s an additional 10’x10’ overhead door & 2 personnel doors. The 4,095 SF new structural concrete slab apron was constructed to CDOT spec with 65’ trench drain at apron entrance. The main floor features an ADA bathroom with shower, utility floor sink, 2 interior hot & cold hose bibs. Electrical service is a commercial 480-volt, 3-phase with 400 amps with outlets throughout. Ready with 2 EV (Electric vehicle) charging outlets on the west exterior. 

As mentioned, after the hangar was purchased by a sustainable national shoe brand, we remodeled it for the new owner's work and warehousing requirements. We added 3 Viessman Solar thermal collectors, HRV-Geothermal Pre-Heating and Cooling System & Battery Power Back-Up System, portable work station “pods”, a large bar, kitchen area, eating spaces, lounge, multimedia room, shoe display areas, more natural lighting and other custom finishes. 

Once a solar PV system is added to the south-facing rooftop, the hangar will achieve better than a net zero designation, it could in fact help power some of the other facilities at the airport as well as several EVs through outdoor charging stations. 

Contact Constructive Alternatives if you’re interested in a similar self-sustainable executive hangar, built to suit. 

North Boulder Park Craftsman Bungalow

LET’S BUILD A NET-ZERO RESIDENTIAL HOME FOR YOUR FAMILY

This 4,200 sq. ft. City of Boulder - Newlands neighborhood gem was featured on the Boulder Solar Home Tour. Our quaint and eclectic bungalow won several architectural and green building awards, including from AIA and NAHB. In the mid-90s we renovated from the old foundation up and designed the new home for our growing family. The bungalow was a trend-setting Craftsman Cottage style that the rest of the neighborhood eventually began emulating as two more neighbors asked us to build their home net zero as well. Others followed in the example. 

We added renewable energy systems and framed the exterior with a highly insulated and fire-resistant 10” ICF wall system. By adding a 3kW rooftop solar PV system, this home became one of the very first solar PV grid-tied systems in the city of Boulder. We incorporated solar thermal in-floor heating and domestic hot water. This renewable solar heating system included 600 gallons of hot water storage–it was an innovative way to make the eight-person indoor spa serve a secondary, yet important function! To top it off, HRV/ERV systems combined with a geothermal intake air and ground loop helped create balanced environmental controls for healthy indoor air quality and even temperatures throughout the entire house.

For more pictures of the first home in the city of Boulder to be grid-tied AND net zero, see 

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2770-7th-St_Boulder_CO_80304_M25220-24984

Net Zero Bungalow in North Boulder

The Abbey of St. Walburga

HIGH PERFORMANCE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE SACRED SPACES

The professionals at Barrett Studio Architects always come up with the most appealing design and aesthetics while also achieving high performance structural integrity resulting in minimal maintenance and graceful aging.   This is an understatement when it comes to the St. Walburga Abbey, which was featured in the New York Times and was the recipient of the Faith & Form Millennium Award for Religious Architecture. 

As a subcontractor to GH Phipps, our ICF expert helped with various expansions to the facility. Phase Four resulted in a new high mountain plains two-story, 20-room living quarters, as well as an addition to the main Sanctuary. Our team  installed 12” ICF wall systems from the footings to the roof. The ICF block we used contains recycled content (not virgin foam) enabling the building to boast R-50+ and a 4-hour fire ratings. 

Caribou Ridge Net Zero Ranch Development

BUILD GREEN. BUILD BETTER. COMPROMISE NOTHING.

We were commissioned to design, engineer and develop this 70-acre mountain sub-division northwest of Nederland, CO. The development offered platinum award-winning custom homes. When we finished the Flagship home we incorporated and installed a solar PV array and wind turbine connected to a localized battery back-up system. We also had solar thermal collectors that worked together with in-floor and domestic hot water heating systems. HRV/ERV environmental control systems kept the air moving and constantly fresh. Grey water irrigation systems, recycled content, and locally sourced products, helped us accomplish yet another net-zero homestead with stunning Colorado Rocky Mountain views. With whole home digital automation and audio systems, custom finishes, and master craftsmanship around every corner…building better and building green required no compromise in comfort or aesthetic appeal.

Sunshine Canyon Off-Grid Luxury Home

CONTACT CONSTRUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES WHEN YOU'RE READY TO BUILD BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS!

This one-of-a-kind custom luxury mountain residence applied high performance green building envelope, and other smart and renewable technologies. In addition to ample living space, the residence includes exquisite car rebuilding and show room facilities. We cut into the top of a mountain side to offer the homeowners 360 degree panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder and Denver. We used 12”- 22” R-40+ battered foundation walls, 8” engineered LSL FSC lumber throughout, an elliptical and radial building design. We also installed a 12 kW solar PV power system with a battery back-up. While the homeowners remain connected to the grid, their meter has yet to move forward.

We used ICF forms for fire and wind resistance while taking advantage of their incredible insulating and customizing properties. ICFs are the perfect choice when avoiding square corners is desired at all costs. The solar thermal collectors you see out front were integrated with geothermal and HRV/ERV ventilation and environmental control systems. By designing this kind of in-floor heating and cooling system it keeps the ambient temperatures inside this stunning home comfortable and healthy year round.

Check out some of the images we captured during the beginning, middle, and completion of this unique and eclectic Sunshine Canyon 8,000 square foot Net-Zero Luxury Home.

Blackhawk Off-Grid Artists Sanctuary & Recording Studio

Mountain Star Studio started out as a private, off-grid, luxurious, mountain property perfectly situated on a lush 120-acre ranch. This custom mountain home and barn were oriented to provide spectacular views of the Continental Divide, aspen groves, and high mountain meadows where moose, elk, and other flora and fauna would provide the owners and their guests a daily feast of the sites and sounds of Colorado’s pristine Rocky Mountain Wilderness.
The southern orientation and large glass areas enhance passive solar gain while providing stunning million dollar views of the meadow and mountain ridge beyond. We used 12” ICF insulated wall systems (R-40+) and a soy foam super-insulated roof. We included a solar thermal for in-floor heating and cooling, as well as for domestic hot water at the main house and for the spa. Furthermore, we added a renewable driveway snowmelt heating system, geothermal HRV/ERV ventilation and environmental control systems to provide fresh pre-heated air with minimal electrical load. To add more smart home technology, whole house digital automation, and top of the line audio systems were installed.
At 10,000’ elevation, the home was built for lasting protection against the wind, fire, and other harsh weather conditions. A 12 kW solar photovoltaic panel array on the barn sends power to a battery storage room which allows both buildings to run off-grid. Evacuated-tube thermal solar panels contribute to space heating in the garage, spa, and main house.
The home’s layout is complemented by eclectic architectural detailing and finishes, including brightly colored venetian plaster walls and granite countertops. Stained concrete alternates with sustainably harvested eucalyptus wood can be found over the top of the radiant floors. Decks and rails were made with long-lasting pipe. Our team added many of our own exquisite interior details, including playful steel rail posts cut from patterns with CNC waterjet technology. The extensive interior architectural millwork features agri-fiber board, reclaimed timber and non-toxic finishes. The massive stone chimney includes a high-efficiency Tulikivi masonry wood fireplace inside, as well as a kiva fireplace outside for entertaining.
We collaborated on this project with Bodhagia Architects and appreciate their hard work, creativity, and mindfulness in seeking sustainable products and solutions. We love the many images they captured and efforts made to spur Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine & Dwell Magazine to feature this exquisite residence.
Today, this off-grid luxury property is being operated as a creative sanctuary and music-centric retreat space nestled among a high mountain aspen grove just outside Black Hawk, Colorado. Learn more about this special off-grid project that’s very near and dear to our hearts at: Mountain Star Studio.
Check out some images we captured during the exciting build out of this captivating off-grid luxury ranch property that enjoys the impeccable views, sounds, and feelings that the Great Rocky Mountains are best known to elicit.

For more videos and images, check out Mountain Star Studio at:

https://www.mtnstarstudio.com/



Sun Valley Net Zero Luxury Ranch

LOOKING FOR IDEAS TO INSPIRE YOUR OWN NET-ZERO LUXURY LIFESTYLE?

Check out this Sun Valley, Idaho net-zero property on 300 of the most pristine private acres with Hyndman Creek running through it. That made this project a perfect candidate for combining a 5kW continuous 24/7 and 365 days a year micro-hydro power system with solar thermal on the pool house, guest house, and main house. The ranch had 8M BTUs running the electric/propane boilers for the snow melt system alone, add another 8M BTUs to heat the facilities and it’s no wonder they had to replace the utility meters every year due to excessive wear. We were able to offset all loads, heat the pool, and enable the property owner to eliminate ~ $300,000/year in propane and electric bills. No more need to constantly replace the utility meter!

Click link to see more of this picture perfect property.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/300-Hyndman-Creek-Rd_Ketchum_ID_83340_M22603-68969


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