Steve Lefler, Vice President of Modular Lifestyles, Inc., gives a tour of a Zero Energy- "Off Grid" mobile home "Accessory Dwelling Unit" (ADU) during the 10^th annual Alternative Building Materials & Design Expo (AltBuild) at  the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Saturday, May 11, 2013. The ADU features no electric bills, a 400 sq ft floor plan, revolutionary batteries, and can be outfitted with Age-in-Place technology. Just approved for City of Berkeley and Sonoma; is LA next? Some units of which have cut the costs of energy bills for tenants by as much as 90% or more.

The annual Alternative AltBuild celebrates a decade as the largest and most-respected green design and building expo in Southern California by bringing together architects, builders, contractors, engineers, and landscapers to focus on what is next for Los Angeles and figure out how to get there. Presented by the City of Santa Monica, AltBuild returned to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium serving top industry professionals, influential exhibitors, as well as a large consumer audience. The event programming and expo serves both those already committed to, and those curious about, sustainable design. The topic of what is next for Los Angeles—for professionals and residents of the region—has become one of keen interest, engaging funding, policy, and social, functional and design issues. With so many thought leaders focused on a sustainable approach to L.A.’s design-build issues, AltBuild’s mission provides a unique opportunity for discussion across the spectrum of fields involved. The Expo featured over 150 hand-picked exhibitors covering green building and design materials; modular housing; repurposed goods; energy efficiency techniques and technologies; alternative energy; water conservation and management; environmental plumbing; municipal and state agencies; and non-profit organizations.