10. Totem Pole in Barton Hills

We aren’t quite sure how this relates to the heritage of the German industrialist that hired us, but it was a cool project.

9. Save the Tree

Alpha designed and constructed a two story, 800 square foot addition with a heavy brick exterior on piers in order to preserve a large, significant maple tree close to the owner’s home.

8. Secret Door

Alpha constructed this bookcase with a hidden panel that, when opened, allows the bookcase to swing away revealing the entrance to a secret room.

7. Six Inch Mold

A broken water pipe allowed water to run for months in an unused house resulting in a $17,000 water bill and significant damage to the property. The basement ceiling was covered with a blanket of mold that looked like fur with hairs (mold strands) up to six inches long. Restoration included mold remediation, cleaning and restoration of the entire house.

6. Shrink Wrapped Building

A December fire gutted the second floor and roof of a commercial building and restaurant. Alpha shrink wrapped the entire building, creating a weather tight envelop that allowed the remaining parts of the building to be protected from the elements, and for work to proceed without being impacted by the winter weather. This allowed the building to be restored within three months, saving the businesses and insurance company from greater losses.

5. Trauma Scenes

Due to our special training, Alpha has been called in on some of the most difficult situations. These include restoring a home after a shotgun suicide and another after a homeowner died, but was not discovered for several weeks. We’ll spare you the gory details, but you get the idea.

4. 40 Tons of Rubble

Alpha performed structural work to re-support a 9,000 square foot, three story facility to allow the basement to be used as a large group meeting area. The central, load bearing wall, which was 16” thick, poured concrete, was demolished and the building was re-supported with steel beams and posts. 80,000 lbs of concrete rubble were hand carried out of the basement. The project also involved lead and asbestos abatement.

3. Custom Church Furniture

Alpha created custom chancel furniture for Shepherd of the Lakes church in Brighton. The altar, pulpit, lectern, and baptismal font include difficult, radius woodworking, multi-layer build ups and veneers, laminated stainless steel, and Corian with custom inlays. Despite their large size and weight, each piece is designed so it can be quickly and easily moved by one person, yet rest firmly in place during services.

2. Million dollar fire restoration performed in only six months.

After the fraternity was severely damaged by a fire, Alpha completely rebuilt the interior of the 12,000 square foot building. Restoration included new plumbing and electrical systems, recreating intricate architectural woodworking, hardwood floor restoration, and custom plaster detailing.
The project was completed in only six months to meet the deadline for the students to move back in.

1. Two Homes Become One

Alpha constructed a 700 square foot addition joining a 1960’s ranch and tri-level home.  This radical addition boasts a huge great room featuring a cathedral ceiling, arched doorways, hardwood oak flooring, and improved lighting.  A unique “flying bridge” was installed in the kitchen setting off the oak cabinets and granite countertops.  This remodeling project was the first of its kind in the city of Ann Arbor.