ULI Philadelphia’s 2021 Awards for Excellence finalists represent superior development projects in the greater Philadelphia region that embody the ULI mission of shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

Joseph Lombardi, Partner, Alter Eco LLC, developer for Bridgeport Zero Energy Ready Homes, joins us for “Five Minutes with a Finalist”. Here’s what he had to say:

Can you share your favorite story behind this project?

My favorite story behind this project is hearing one of the new home owners let us know that due to the level of indoor air quality the home provided that her allergies were almost non-existent. The homeowner stated, ‘I have allergies, my daughter has them. Seasonal, pollen, trees. I think my doctor said I’m allergic to every tree in the Northeast, dust mites, and mold, so one thing that I immediately noticed when I walked into the home was that the air was fresh and clean. I’ve been in several other new construction homes and you can tell the difference as someone who has severe allergies. The air was just clean and crisp and to this day we haven’t had any issues. When we are in the home, I notice the reduction in allergy symptoms. I’m not stuffy or itchy, it’s just very comfortable. The air quality is definitely better inside the home. Even on high-pollen days, if the windows are closed, there are no problems.’

What inspires you the most about Philadelphia and the region right now?

What inspires me most is the current and growing high level of interest in Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building design & construction. We are being contacted several times a month with requests for information on the subject and with interested in having us design and building energy efficient homes for new clients.

Winners will be announced live at a virtual celebration on June 16. For more information and to register, click here.