Oak Savanna Project Receives A HERS Score of 45

We are excited the our LEED for Homes Projected "Gold" Oak Savanna project has received a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score of 45! This is a very good score indeed! This is about as low as current technology can go for efficiency and comfort. To get this score you have about the most efficient HVAC, lowest duct leakage and great windows. The house is well sealed and the very comfortable. To get a lower score on the scale you will need renewable energy, such as solar or wind.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that a typical resale home scores 130 on the HERS Index, while a typical new home might rate 100. A home with a HERS Index Score of 45 is 55% more energy efficient than that standard new home, and 85% more efficient than a typical resale and has a annual energy savings of $1,616.00.  We would like to thank our HERS rater John Kuiper for doing a thorough job with the Blower Door Test and the Thermal Imaging of the project. We are finalizing the LEED for Homes paperwork and will have the final LEED certification rating shortly.

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Image Design Offers A 2014 Christmas Discount

We are excited to offer a Christmas Special, we will be offering $250.00 discount (off your initial deposit) for any New client that sign a proposal/agreement from December 1st through December 21st.  Also lock in at our 2014 fee structure before they change for 2015. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

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Want to receive dinner on us?

If you refer family or friends to us and they sign a contract with us to design a new or remodeled home you will receive a free dinner for two, compliments on us as our way of saying THANK YOU! You get to choose from one of our favorite places to eat (The Green Well, Marie Catrib's, Rose's on Reeds Lake or the Electric Cheetah restaurants)

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Come to a Green Building Hack-a-thon at Michigan State University

We are excited that our projected LEED for Homes "Gold" "Rennie Lake Retreat" in Traverse City is going to be a part of the GREEN BUILDING Hack-A-Thon at MSU School of Planning, Design and Construction on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. The Hack-A-Thon is a one-day workshop to learn about sustainability strategy, and gain LEED project experience and eight hours of continuing education (CE) credits. 

Participants will have a chance to:

• Collaborate with local developers, builders, creatives and engineers in their region.
• Gain marketable skills and experience demanded by companies and projects!
• Acquire LEED project experience and eight (8) LEED-Specific CMP hours.
• Support a local community-building organization.

Register Now

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Meadow Vista Project Update

Meadow Vista Project in August

Here is a update on our Meadow Vista projects. Our friends at Solar Winds have just installed the 5 Kw solar panel array. Also you can see the James Hardie fiber cement siding has started to go up and the black Jeld-Wen are installed. Stay tuned for more updates.

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re.dwell Custom Furniture Shop opens in Grand Rapids

A friend of ours has recently opened a custom crafted furniture shop from all reclaimed wood and salvaged materials from Michigan called re.dwell,  There're giving new life to materials that would otherwise be discarded by crafting custom furniture pieces that express hidden potential in each weathered board or rusty piece of iron. The history and character of the materials provides each piece with its own unique look and story. Please if you get a chance checkout their new web-site and/or visit them at the Vintage Street Market at the new Downtown Market on Sundays this summer.

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Odom Re-Use opens a Grand Rapids Location

Odom Reusable Building Material one of our favorite re-use store in Traverse City Michigan, has just opened a Grand Rapids location at 1029 4 Mile Rd NW. If you get a chance visit their new location and see what treasure you can find for your home. Nothing is more sustainable than re-using building material from the past. Below are some of the products our clients have purchase in the past from them for their new homes.

• Doors.
• Stain Glass.
• Claw Foot Tubs.
• Wall mounted Sinks
• Doors.
• Tile Flooring.  
• Bowling Lanes.

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The "Meadow Vista Ridge" Project Under Construction

Our Arts & Craft style Meadow Vista Ridge project is under construction in Lowell, Michigan. The home is being built by Rich Bloem of Homes by True North. The home is a "Arts & Style" Home. Some of the key features are.

• Murus SIP Panel Walls & Roof.
• Metal Roof.
• Jeld-Wen Energy Star Windows.
• James Hardie Cement Board Siding.
• Lifetime Design Floor Plan.
• Passive Solar Design.
• 5 Kw Photovoltaic Panels (Solar Panels)
• Super Insulated Slab Foundation.
• Stained Concrete Floors.
• Radon Venting.
• Radiant Floor Heat.
• Generator.
• Custom Kitchen Cabinets by WoodWays.

Stay tuned for updated photos.

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The "Oak Savanna" Project Under Construction

Our projected LEED for Homes "Gold" Oak Savanna project is under construction in Orleans, Michigan (Ionia County). The home is being built by Rich Bloem of Homes by True North .  The home is a Frank Lloyd Wright "Prairie Style" Home. Some of the key features are.

• BuildBlock ICF Foundation.
• Murus SIP Panel Walls.
• Metal Roof.
• Andersen 400 Series Energy Star Windows.
• CertianTeed Cement Board Siding.
• Passive Solar Design.
• Stained Concrete Floors on Both Floors.
• Radiant Floor Heat.
• Mini-Split A/C.
• Generator.
• Custom Kitchen Cabinets by WoodWays.
• Custom Stained Glass by Pristine Glass Company.
• Restoration of the Oak Savanna Prairie Grass.

Stay tuned for updated photos.

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Preview of the "Nest" Living Building Challenge Site Rendering

Here is a preview of the Site plan for the "Nest" Living Building Challenge House thanks to Michael Bruggink of Fen View Design, LLC. Below is a list of the key features of the site design.

Key Features

• Community Garden.
• Mandala Garden
• Medicinal Herb Garden
• Extensive Raised Vegetable Gardens.
• Fruit Gardens.
• Grape Vineyard.
• Fruit Trees.
• Extensive use of Native Drought Tolerant Plants.
• Composting Bins.
• Eco Turf Lawn.
• Black Water & Gray Water Underground Irrigation System.
• Crow's Nest Play Area.
• Garden Shed.
• Sand Box.
• Various Sitting Area's

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