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About
About
In the world of modern architecture, the conversation often revolves around steel, glass, and gravity. For A. Alberto Lugo, the CEO of Framing Futures Architectural Firm (FFAF), the conversation begins with the soil.
Founded in 2015, the Architecture and Earth Awareness Foundation (AEAF) is the physical manifestation of Lugo’s deepest professional conviction: that the built environment should not conquer nature, but collaborate with it. Based in the heart of the Eastchester and Westchester region, the Foundation serves as a think-tank, an advocacy group, and a consultancy for sustainable development across New York and New Jersey.
"We are past the point of 'sustainability' being a buzzword," Lugo states in his foundation’s charter. "It is an ethical mandate. Every line we draw on a blueprint has an ecological consequence. My goal is to ensure that consequence is positive."
A. Alberto Lugo’s journey to environmental stewardship wasn't linear. While his architectural pedigree is undeniable—a Master of Architecture from Cornell University (Class of 2002) and a decade of leadership at firms like Parkins and Rhodon—his connection to the environment is primal.
An avid outdoorsman who spends his rare free time fishing in the Catskills or practicing wilderness survival skills, Lugo understands the fragility of ecosystems firsthand. This duality—the sophisticated urban architect and the rugged naturalist—defines the Foundation’s approach.
After working on a pioneering sustainable structure for the Hagman's Group of NYC in 2015, Lugo realized that commercial pressures often stifled true innovation. He established AEAF to break those barriers. The Foundation’s initial goal was simple: to guide large-scale projects toward green practices. Today, it has influenced over 400 projects worldwide, ranging from affordable housing in Eastchester to commercial hubs in Greenwich, CT.
Core Initiatives: The "Green Blueprint" for Westchester
Core Initiatives: The "Green Blueprint" for Westchester
The Architecture and Earth Awareness Foundation operates on three primary pillars, specifically tailored to the unique environmental needs of the Hudson Valley and Tri-State area:
1. The Eastchester Permeability Project
1. The Eastchester Permeability Project
One of the most pressing issues in Westchester County is stormwater management. As urbanization increases, natural drainage decreases.
The Mission: AEAF advocates for "Sponge Architecture"—using permeable concrete and bioswales in urban design.
Lugo’s Role: Alberto actively consults with local planning boards in Eastchester to integrate rain gardens into public sidewalk designs, reducing flood risks while beautifying the streetscape.
2. Biophilic Educational Spaces
2. Biophilic Educational Spaces
Lugo believes that environmental awareness starts in the classroom.
The Mission: Designing schools that teach sustainability through their very structure. This includes visible rainwater harvesting systems and "living walls" inside cafeterias.
Impact: The Foundation is currently drafting proposals for "Outdoor Learning Labs" for schools in Newark and the Bronx, ensuring that urban youth have access to green spaces.
3. The Net-Zero Renovation Challenge
3. The Net-Zero Renovation Challenge
New York has an aging building stock. Tearing them down creates waste; renovating them requires ingenuity.
The Mission: Retrofitting historic buildings in towns like Scarsdale and Eastchester with geothermal heating and smart-glass technology.
Philosophy: " The greenest building is the one that is already built," Lugo often quotes. His firm, FFAF, leads by example, specializing in adaptive reuse projects that preserve history while eliminating carbon footprints.
The "Awareness" Factor: Changing Mindsets
The "Awareness" Factor: Changing Mindsets
The "Awareness" in the Foundation’s name is critical. A. Alberto Lugo emphasizes that technology alone cannot save us; culture must change.
Through the Foundation, Lugo hosts the "Design & Ecology" seminar series in White Plains. These events bring together engineers, local politicians, and high school students to discuss the future of their shared landscape.
"We teach architects to look at a site not as a blank canvas, but as a living system," Lugo explains. "Before you pour the foundation, you need to understand the water table, the wind patterns, the local fauna. If you ignore the site, the site will eventually fight back."
This philosophy has earned him the Architectural Visionary Award (2021) and nominations for the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Yet, for Alberto, the real reward is seeing a project come to life that functions in harmony with its surroundings.
Beyond the drafting Board: A Personal Commitment
Beyond the drafting Board: A Personal Commitment
The Foundation’s work is deeply personal for the Lugo family. Alberto’s wife, Genevieve, often collaborates on the community outreach arm of the Foundation, organizing tree-planting drives in Eastchester neighborhoods that lack canopy cover.
Even their home life reflects these values. The Lugo household—complete with two sons, three Alaskan Malamutes, and Lou the goldfish—practicing what Alberto preaches. From composting to energy conservation, the "Lugo Lifestyle" is about minimizing impact.
"I want my sons to grow up in a Westchester that is greener than the one I found," Alberto says. "Whether it’s through my work with Habitat for Humanity or this Foundation, every effort counts."
The Future of AEAF
The Future of AEAF
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, A. Alberto Lugo has ambitious plans for the Architecture and Earth Awareness Foundation. The organization is currently exploring a partnership to develop "Eco-Affordable Housing" in New Jersey—modular, low-cost homes built from recycled materials that are energy independent.
It is a bold vision, but for a man who has spent twenty years building the future, it is the only one that makes sense.
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