Today along with our friend at West Michigan Hybrid Homes we joined the West Michigan Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a community of more than 6,900 organizations from every sector of the building industry united by a common purpose: to transform the building marketplace to sustainability. USGBC's more than 80 regional chapters serve as the front door of the Council, providing green building resources, education, and leadership opportunities in their communities. We are excited about joining this organization to help future our knowledge on sustainable building and design.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
11:42 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Today along with our friend at West Michigan Hybrid Homes we joined the West Michigan Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a community of more than 6,900 organizations from every sector of the building industry united by a common purpose: to transform the building marketplace to sustainability. USGBC's more than 80 regional chapters serve as the front door of the Council, providing green building resources, education, and leadership opportunities in their communities. We are excited about joining this organization to help future our knowledge on sustainable building and design.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
1:02 PM
Image Designs, LLC
Today along with our friends at West Michigan Hybrid Homes, we became a business member of the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was founded in 2000 as a vehicle to bring the residential construction industry into the 21st-century. The goal of the founders was to provide training to builders and homebuyers for environmentally friendly, healthy and energy efficient building practices and products.AES was recently selected to participate in the LEED for Homes pilot program as a provider for the Midwest. Only twelve reginal providers were chosen across the United State. The pilot program is the beta version of the final LEED for Homes program. We are exciteted to have signed up for the LEED for Homes training seminar in January. Thru this training seminar we have the opportunity to help shape the pilot program into the fully chartered version expected to be adopted next July.
Our plans are to get the Kelsey Woods Spec house in Ionia as a certified Leed for Homes project. Making it one of just a handful of homes in the State of Michigan with those certifications.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
10:19 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Yesterday Image Design became a business member of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. We traveled with Adam Bearup of West Mighigan Hyrid Homes to there annual membership meeting in Ann Arbor at Leopold Brothers Brewery an organic brewery. The Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) is a non-profit organization that educates, advocates, promotes, and publicly demonstrates renewable energy technologies. We are proud to be member of this association along with our friends at West Michigan Hybrid Homes and Bauer Power. Please if you get a chance check out their web-site.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
7:00 PM
Image Designs, LLC
The Spec House for Kelsey Wood in Ionia is about to start! We are really excited about this project. We are building on Unit #13, it has a beautiful view of the 3rd hole green and the 4th hole tee on Shadow Ridge golf course. This is a really must see spec house for Ionia. There is a awsome team of people involved with this project. Adam Bearup from West Michigan Hybrid Homes is one of the leading Green Builders in the State and he will be the Builder of this home. We are also trying to use as many local subs from Ionia as we can for this project to help the local economy there.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
5:49 AM
Image Designs, LLC
We just found out today from the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids that our Fall Parade of Homes House with Scott Bronkema Builders won the People’s Choice Award for Best Kitchen, Best Interior Elements, and Best Exterior Elements. The Peoples Choice Awards are designed to honor the outstanding achievements in new home construction, as well as to encourage and generate new ideas in marketing and merchandising based on the response of the general public. Congratulations to Scott Bronkema Builders!!
Monday, November 06, 2006
5:16 PM
Image Designs, LLC
Some interesting facts we hope you consider when making your energy decisions from our friends at Bauer Power.
- 7 Billion Tons of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere from the United States every year.
- The average American household emits 15 Tons of CO2 annually, half of which comes from the energy needs of our homes.
- We burn 400% more gas and coal then we need to because 73% of all power generated from US power plants gets lost in transmission.
- If every American household (100 million homes) changed just ONE light bulb to a compact fluorescent, it would be like taking 1 MILLION cars of the road.
- Turning your thermostat down just 3 degrees in the winter & up in 3 degrees in the summer reduces half a TON of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.
- Driving a Hybrid car will reduce your CO2 emissions by 8TONS versus driving an average American car.
So what are you going to do to help make a change?
Monday, October 30, 2006
3:48 PM
Image Designs, LLC
The Demolition of a existing home on Fisk Lake in East Grand Rapids Michigan took place today. To make way for a 1.9 million dollar spec house by JLR Builders, LLC. This home will have the look and feel as though its allways been there! There will be leaded and stained glass thruout the Home from Pristine Glass Company along with a custom entry door by Clearlite Window Company.
3:31 PM
Image Designs, LLC
We have a interesting remodel on Sable Lake in Irons Michigan starting. We will be using ICF's and SIP panels to remodel this cottage. Our clients chose to use West Michigan Hybrid Homes for the contractor for this project after seeing the extensive work they have done with ICF's. You'll be able to see the progress of the remodel from West Michigan Hybrid Homes web-site my chicking on Sable lake above. We hope you will all enjoy watching this remodel.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
9:24 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Many people planning to build a new home or makeover an older home are often surprised when asked if they have plans for their project. While a contractor may be able to draw a simple set of building plans, residential designers are experienced specialists who are trained to use space most efficiently and educated in all the newest trends and products available.
They not only design your project from scratch, but also spend time with each client to determine their specific needs, lifestyles, priorities and budgets to create a custom room, addition, renovation or entire home. Residential designers may best be described as a cross between an architect and an interior designer. The interior of your project is equally as important to them as the exterior.
Q: Why seek out a residential designer to design my project when so many contractors offer free design advice as part of their service?
A: Contractors generally tend to fill a client's requests in the most straight forward manner possible, keeping things simple to avoid confusion and spending any more time than they feel is necessary. Getting the job and building it are usually their number one priorities. By contrast, the residential designer's whole purpose is to sit down with you and work out your design puzzle in its entirety, with the emphasis on finding the best solution rather than the most obvious. A residential designer will creatively present options to you and point out their advantages. Helping you understand the complexities of the project fully before it goes to bid ( or worse, gets built) prevents misunderstandings and possible regrets about your choices.
Q: But isn't using a residential designer expensive?
A: Not at all. In addition to saving time and effort, it often saves you money. Most quality contractors are thrilled to get well-documented, professionally designed plans. They recognize that detailed plans with full specifications and interpretive detailed drawings result in a smooth-running project. A client who understands and wants exactly what he is getting saves the contractor from the potential barrage of change-orders, time and money over-runs, and bad feelings on both sides that can easily result from misunderstandings and/or ambiguities. Having accurate plans before the bidding process even starts makes it easier on the contractors AND the client. If multiple bids are obtained, everyone is bidding on EXACTLY the same materials, brands, models, quality expectations, etc.
Q: So when should I bring in a residential designer?
A: You should select and employ your residential designer as soon as possible. You need to have a basic idea of what you'd like to accomplish, but skilled questioning by the designer to help determine your hidden wants and needs is a very important part of the process. An incredible array of products is available and getting guidance from a professional saves you time and money. Questions about your site, lifestyle, budget, quality expectations, creative solutions, or suggestions for new/specialized products may even trigger your looking at your project in a whole different light. The designer takes practical everyday usage, future growth or change in use, and yes, even resale possibilities into consideration when creating your final design.
Q: What is the range of services that a residential designer typically offers?
A: It varies, but generally includes development of design options, schematic sketches, preliminary design presentation, final plans with notes and specifications, a custom lighting and electrical plan, miscellaneous details as required, interior appurtenance selections and schedules, all permit-ready.
Summary
Working with an experienced. residential designer should be a priority if your expectations are for a "one-of-a-kind" building project. He will be the first and most important member of your project team. The planning and building of any sizeable project involves large sums of money, many hours of honest communication, hundreds of decisions, and can take many months or longer to complete. The entire process should be taken very seriously but it should also be fun. After all, the designer's reputation is also always at stake.
Optional services would include, but not be limited to, color renderings and sketches, assistance in appurtenance selections and interior design, contract negotiations with your contractor, and project observation throughout the construction.
They not only design your project from scratch, but also spend time with each client to determine their specific needs, lifestyles, priorities and budgets to create a custom room, addition, renovation or entire home. Residential designers may best be described as a cross between an architect and an interior designer. The interior of your project is equally as important to them as the exterior.
Q: Why seek out a residential designer to design my project when so many contractors offer free design advice as part of their service?
A: Contractors generally tend to fill a client's requests in the most straight forward manner possible, keeping things simple to avoid confusion and spending any more time than they feel is necessary. Getting the job and building it are usually their number one priorities. By contrast, the residential designer's whole purpose is to sit down with you and work out your design puzzle in its entirety, with the emphasis on finding the best solution rather than the most obvious. A residential designer will creatively present options to you and point out their advantages. Helping you understand the complexities of the project fully before it goes to bid ( or worse, gets built) prevents misunderstandings and possible regrets about your choices.
Q: But isn't using a residential designer expensive?
A: Not at all. In addition to saving time and effort, it often saves you money. Most quality contractors are thrilled to get well-documented, professionally designed plans. They recognize that detailed plans with full specifications and interpretive detailed drawings result in a smooth-running project. A client who understands and wants exactly what he is getting saves the contractor from the potential barrage of change-orders, time and money over-runs, and bad feelings on both sides that can easily result from misunderstandings and/or ambiguities. Having accurate plans before the bidding process even starts makes it easier on the contractors AND the client. If multiple bids are obtained, everyone is bidding on EXACTLY the same materials, brands, models, quality expectations, etc.
Q: So when should I bring in a residential designer?
A: You should select and employ your residential designer as soon as possible. You need to have a basic idea of what you'd like to accomplish, but skilled questioning by the designer to help determine your hidden wants and needs is a very important part of the process. An incredible array of products is available and getting guidance from a professional saves you time and money. Questions about your site, lifestyle, budget, quality expectations, creative solutions, or suggestions for new/specialized products may even trigger your looking at your project in a whole different light. The designer takes practical everyday usage, future growth or change in use, and yes, even resale possibilities into consideration when creating your final design.
Q: What is the range of services that a residential designer typically offers?
A: It varies, but generally includes development of design options, schematic sketches, preliminary design presentation, final plans with notes and specifications, a custom lighting and electrical plan, miscellaneous details as required, interior appurtenance selections and schedules, all permit-ready.
Summary
Working with an experienced. residential designer should be a priority if your expectations are for a "one-of-a-kind" building project. He will be the first and most important member of your project team. The planning and building of any sizeable project involves large sums of money, many hours of honest communication, hundreds of decisions, and can take many months or longer to complete. The entire process should be taken very seriously but it should also be fun. After all, the designer's reputation is also always at stake.
Optional services would include, but not be limited to, color renderings and sketches, assistance in appurtenance selections and interior design, contract negotiations with your contractor, and project observation throughout the construction.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
4:28 PM
Image Designs, LLC
The term "Organic Architecture" was invented by the great architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959).
"So here I stand before you preaching organic architecture: declaring organic architecture to be the modern ideal and the teaching so much needed if we are to see the whole of life, and to now serve the whole of life, holding no traditions essential to the great TRADITION. Nor cherishing any preconceived form fixing upon us either past, present or future, but instead exalting the simple laws of common sense or of super-sense if you prefer determining form by way of the nature of materials..."Frank Lloyd Wright, An Organic Architecture, 1939
Frank Lloyd Wright used the word "organic" to describe his philosophy of architecture. It was an extension of the teachings of his mentor, Louis Sullivan, whose slogan "form follows function" became the mantra of modern architecture. Wright changed this phrase to "form and function are one," claiming Nature as the ultimate model.
Although the word "organic" is now used as a buzzword for something that occurs naturally, when connected to architecture, it takes on a new meaning. Organic Architecture is not a style of imitation, but rather, a reinterpretation of Nature's principles to build forms more natural than nature itself.
Just as in Nature, Organic Architecture involves a respect for natural materials (wood should look like wood), blending into the surroundings (a house should be of the hill, not on it), and an honest expression of the function of the building (don't make a bank look like a Greek temple).
The Philosophy of Organic architecture continues today through the work of hundreds of students of Mr. Wright.
"So here I stand before you preaching organic architecture: declaring organic architecture to be the modern ideal and the teaching so much needed if we are to see the whole of life, and to now serve the whole of life, holding no traditions essential to the great TRADITION. Nor cherishing any preconceived form fixing upon us either past, present or future, but instead exalting the simple laws of common sense or of super-sense if you prefer determining form by way of the nature of materials..."Frank Lloyd Wright, An Organic Architecture, 1939
Frank Lloyd Wright used the word "organic" to describe his philosophy of architecture. It was an extension of the teachings of his mentor, Louis Sullivan, whose slogan "form follows function" became the mantra of modern architecture. Wright changed this phrase to "form and function are one," claiming Nature as the ultimate model.
Although the word "organic" is now used as a buzzword for something that occurs naturally, when connected to architecture, it takes on a new meaning. Organic Architecture is not a style of imitation, but rather, a reinterpretation of Nature's principles to build forms more natural than nature itself.
Just as in Nature, Organic Architecture involves a respect for natural materials (wood should look like wood), blending into the surroundings (a house should be of the hill, not on it), and an honest expression of the function of the building (don't make a bank look like a Greek temple).
The Philosophy of Organic architecture continues today through the work of hundreds of students of Mr. Wright.
10:08 AM
Image Designs, LLC
1. Use ceiling fans in the summer and winter. By reversing the direction of the blades, warm air is pushed down, helping to keep rooms warm in winter.
2. Buy ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances. Compared to a 1990 model, an ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerator would save enough electricity to light a home for more than four-and-a-half months.
3. Repair leaky fixtures: one drop per second from a leaky faucet can waste as much as 10 gallons of water each week.
4. Install low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets to reduce water consumption by as much as 50 percent.
5. Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments, and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins.
6. Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, requiring no replanting and little fertilization.
7. Select solid woods harvested from sustainable-managed forests for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may be toxic and hazardous to your health.
8. Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable.
9. Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers with contents that could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.
10. Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about four percent.
2. Buy ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances. Compared to a 1990 model, an ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerator would save enough electricity to light a home for more than four-and-a-half months.
3. Repair leaky fixtures: one drop per second from a leaky faucet can waste as much as 10 gallons of water each week.
4. Install low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets to reduce water consumption by as much as 50 percent.
5. Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments, and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins.
6. Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, requiring no replanting and little fertilization.
7. Select solid woods harvested from sustainable-managed forests for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may be toxic and hazardous to your health.
8. Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable.
9. Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers with contents that could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.
10. Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about four percent.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
7:54 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Lifetime Design ( universal design, barrier free) is a set of specification that, when applied to a home plan, will create a home that can be lived in and visited by persons with mobility limitations. As a past chair of the lifetime design committee at our local home builders association we set up these basic design criteria for making your home lifetime design.
- Accessible entrances and main floor doorways must be at least 36 inches wide with at least one zero step entrance.
- Main floor hallways must be at least 42 inches wide.
- There must be at least one bedroom and one bathroom on the first floor with a doorway at least 36 inches wide. This bathroom must have a minimum 48 inch turning radius (standard wheelchairs need 60 inch turning radius, motorized wheelchairs need a 72 inch radius).
- There must be accessible electric switches on the first floor. Recommended height is 48 inches maximum and outlet height should be between 18 and 24 inches.
- The kitchen must be accessible with a minimum 48 inch turning radius.
You do not need to incorporate all of these criteria into your new home to enjoy the benefits of lifetime Design. If you carefully examine the criteria, you will notice that the main concern is space. Simply start with a wider hallway and wider doorways is an excellent start. Add in a bedroom and full bath on the first floor and you are well on your way to having a home you can live in for a lifetime.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
9:27 AM
Image Designs, LLC
The organic architecture of E. Fay Jones, Frank LLoyd Wright where all early influences in my life thanks to my Uncle Marshall Purvis who studied under E. Fay Jones at the University of Arkansas's school of architecture. Although my uncle never became an architect due to a automobile accident his senior year in collage which left him a quadriplegic he remained friends with Jones and was very active and influential in the setting up the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). My uncle was a great admirer of Frank LLoyd Wright as was E. Fay Jones who apprenticed at Wrights school of architecture Taliesen . My Uncle had numerous book on Frank LLoyd Wright which I looked at and studied every time I visited him. As my interest in architecture grew my uncle began to teach me the principles of organic architecture and other things like how to draw plans, elevations and 3 point perspectives of buildings and houses. His love and passion of architecture became mine. As I began my formal architecture training thru high school, college and even setting up my own architectural practice my uncle remained my mentor up until his passing in 2005.
Friday, October 20, 2006
2:31 PM
Image Designs, LLC
As Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) gain in popularity with builders and architects. Homeowner need to know more about there benefits. Listed below are some impressive homeowner benefits of ICFs that you should know about :
Strength: ICF walls benefit from concrete's inherent structural qualities, particularly important in regions affected by severe weather. A reinforced concrete monolithic concrete wall offers far superior strength and safety when compared to wood construction.
Lower Utility Bills: The combination of a continuous concrete wall plus the integral interior and exterior insulation provides superb energy efficiency.
Indoor Environmental Quality: ICF's energy efficiency translates into more even, consistent temperatures throughout the home. Outdoor pollutants can be kept to a minimum - particularly important to allergy sufferers. A fresh air exchanger (strongly recommended) helps regulate humidity in the home for maximum comfort.
Soundproofing: With several inches of concrete sandwiched by foam insulation, ICF homes are typically quieter than neighboring homes built conventionally.
Environmentally Friendly: The use of wood products is significantly reduced and far less fuel will be required to heating and cooling. Concrete homes are a Green method of construction.
Fire Rating: Three hours protection from a 6" concrete wall.
Strength: ICF walls benefit from concrete's inherent structural qualities, particularly important in regions affected by severe weather. A reinforced concrete monolithic concrete wall offers far superior strength and safety when compared to wood construction.
Lower Utility Bills: The combination of a continuous concrete wall plus the integral interior and exterior insulation provides superb energy efficiency.
Indoor Environmental Quality: ICF's energy efficiency translates into more even, consistent temperatures throughout the home. Outdoor pollutants can be kept to a minimum - particularly important to allergy sufferers. A fresh air exchanger (strongly recommended) helps regulate humidity in the home for maximum comfort.
Soundproofing: With several inches of concrete sandwiched by foam insulation, ICF homes are typically quieter than neighboring homes built conventionally.
Environmentally Friendly: The use of wood products is significantly reduced and far less fuel will be required to heating and cooling. Concrete homes are a Green method of construction.
Fire Rating: Three hours protection from a 6" concrete wall.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
9:33 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Image Design, LLC is proud to be working on several Green Designed homes and remodels all of which are using ECO-Block insulated concrete forms (ICFs) for the walls and structural insulated panels (SIPs) for the roofs. We proud to be working with West Michigan premier ICF builders West Michigan Hybrid Homes. Green building and Green Design ( is fast becoming the way to build here in Michigan. What is "green building"? Green Building is the industry buzz word for environmentally friendly, responsible, sustainable building and Design. I also like to call Green Design "Organic Architecture". Image Design is devoted to and inspired by Nature and its patterns, a so-called “organic architecture" The firm is an ardent proponent of environmentalism and believes man should live in harmony with Nature: “Our structures take advantage of natural forces, such as solar energy, while being cost-effective to build and operate.”
8:58 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Image Design, LLC is working with developers on several interesting new residential developments. One in Ionia called Kelsey Woods a 31 site development on Shadow Ridge golf course. 15 of the lot are on the course and the other 16 lot are wooded and extremely nice. I think its one of Ionia nicest new developments. Another development were working on is in the Traverse City area on the Leelanau peninsula the project is called Leelanau Highlands its 71 site on 84 acres of the last property to be developed on the Leelanau peninsula. Many of the lot have awesome view of the Grand Traverse bay. Please check our this web-site its still under construction but you'll get to see just how awesome this development really is.
Friday, October 06, 2006
12:50 PM
Image Designs, LLC
2006 Fall Parade of homes was a success we had two homes on the parade this time. Our Craftsman Style was with Arlington Homes, LLC and our Prairie Style was with Scott Bronkema Builders again. We are proud to have provide architectural design services to these two talented builders. Our parade house with Scott Bronkema builders is entered in the People's Choice Awards this program gives the public an opportunity to judge participating homes. All entries are judged on their own merit, not against each other. And our parade with Arlington Homes was Energy Star rated.
Monday, July 31, 2006
6:54 PM
Image Designs, LLC
Check out my favorite web blog PrairieMod its about Modern Prairie Style homes. It's PrairieMod's self-described mission to show that the ideas and ideals expressed over a century ago by the Prairie School and in the case of what Frank Lloyd Wright refined and matured over his 70 year career, can and should be studied, experienced and adopted for our modern world. Those notions of craftsmanship, honest construction, unity of design, beauty, function and simplicity are universal themes that are not relegated to a bygone era. They were meant for any time and are as true today as they were back then.
We at Image Design feel the same way that PrairieMod feels and are pursuing there ideas and philosophies.
6:16 PM
Image Designs, LLC
The 2006 Spring Parade of Homes was a success with Scott Bronkema Builders. We had people from all over the state come to see this Prairie Style home. Almost everyone had great comments with a large number saying this was there favorite parade house. The home won the SMC awards for Best kitchen design $250,001 to $300,000 and Best site harmony $250,001 to $300,000.
The home sat on a narrow site with the home placed on a ridge. The site had access to two lakes Sandy Bottom and Crawford lakes with views to both from the cantilevered front deck.
4:12 PM
Image Designs, LLC
Welcome too Image Design, LLC new web blog. This is a place for Image Design client and friends to view and post comments about our work. We are currently working on a website to show all of our services and work. So if you would like more information on our firm please email us.
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