Core Services: Local Expertise, Global Vision

A. Alberto Lugo and his team at FFAF offer a boutique suite of services tailored specifically for the Westchester and New Jersey markets. Unlike generalist firms, FFAF understands the specific geological and regulatory nuances of our region.

1. Residential: The "Modern Colonial" Retrofit

We specialize in transforming aging Westchester stock into net-zero luxury residences.

• Adaptive Reuse: We don't just tear down. We reinforce historic frames with modern steel, opening up cramped interiors while preserving the exterior façade that the Eastchester Architectural Review Board (ARB) demands.

• Energy Audits & Upgrades: From geothermal heating installation in rocky Westchester soil to installing "invisible" solar shingles on slate roofs.

• Multi-Generational Zoning: Expertise in designing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) that comply with local codes, perfect for aging parents or returning college graduates.

2. Commercial: Sustainable Hubs

For business owners in Eastchester and Newark, FFAF designs commercial spaces that invite community.

• Mixed-Use Developments: Combining retail and residential spaces that reduce car dependency—a growing trend in town planning.

• Green Certifications: We guide commercial clients through LEED certification, increasing property value and lowering operational costs.

3. Regulatory Consulting: Mastering the Process

Navigating the Town of Eastchester’s Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Appeals can be a nightmare for the uninitiated.

• A. Alberto Lugo has years of experience presenting before these boards. He speaks their language—impervious surface coverage, setback variances, and floor-area ratios (FAR).

• The "Lugo Guarantee": We design with approval in mind, reducing the friction between your vision and the town's code.

The Firm: Framing Futures Architectural Firm (FFAF)

Established in 2019, FFAF was born out of A. Alberto Lugo’s desire to create a firm that operated differently. After years as a Senior Architect at massive firms like Parkins and Rhodon in New York, he wanted to create a practice that was agile, personal, and obsessively detailed.

Headquartered with a presence in Greenwich, CT, and White Plains, NY, FFAF has quickly become the "architect's architect" for challenging sites. Whether it’s a steep slope in the Hudson Valley or a narrow lot in urban Newark, Lugo’s team uses modern architectural engineering principles to turn constraints into design features.

"We don't hide the structure," Alberto explains. "We celebrate it. If we have to use a steel beam to hold up a second story because we removed a wall, we might paint that beam charcoal and make it the centerpiece of the room."

About the Architect: A. Alberto Lugo

Credibility is the currency of architecture, and Alberto has it in spades.

• Education: Bachelor of Business (UPenn, 2000) & Master of Architecture (Cornell, 2002).

• Recognition: Nominated for the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2019 and winner of the Architectural Visionary Award in 2021.

• Philanthropy: Beyond the studio, Alberto is the founder of the Architecture and Earth Awareness Foundation, proving that his commitment to the environment isn't just a sales pitch—it's his life's work.

This blend of high-end design pedigree and local community involvement (you might catch him at an Eastchester pickleball game on weekends) makes him a unique partner for your next project.

Testimonials from the Neighborhood

"We owned a 1920s Tudor in Eastchester that was freezing in the winter and dark in the summer. Alberto didn't just renovate it; he reimagined it. He kept the charm but gave us a glass-walled kitchen that feels like it's sitting in the garden. And he got it all approved by the board on the first try." — Sarah & Mark T., Eastchester Residents

"FFAF handled our commercial retrofit in Newark. Alberto’s knowledge of sustainable materials saved us 20% on overhead costs in the first year alone." — Local Business Owner, Newark, NJ