Image Design, LLC

335 Freyling Place SE, Project Receives LEED for Homes "Platinum" Certification

2012-01-14T12:20:00.001-08:00

It's official our Habitat for Humanity of Kent County project at "335 Freyling Place SE" in Grand Rapids achieved LEED for Homes "Platinum" certification. This was Habitat's 300th home built in Kent County and most radical and energy efficient project they ever built! The goal was to reduce the amount of energy needed to power the home, then to produce enough energy to heat itself. This small affordable home is was built in partnership with GRCC Tassell M-TEC New Construction students in the revitalized, historic Wealthy Heights neighborhood near the corner of Wealthy and Diamond on the southeast side of the City of Grand Rapids.

Besides the LEED certification the home was GreenBuilt Michigan "Gold" certified and also received ZeroStep certification and was featured on the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Tour and in World Habitat Day 2011. Some of the unique feature of this Habitat home are

Super Insulated 18" Thick Exterior Wall.

Logix ICF Exterior walls.

SIP Panel Roof.

Advanced Framing.

Jeld-Wen Energy Star Windows.

Passive Solar Design.

Solar Hot-water.

Pre-Wired for Photovoltaic's

Passive Cooling.

Prison Built Cabinetry.

Pre-Cast Concrete Counter-tops.

CertainTeed Fiber Cement Board Siding.

Radiant Heat Floors.

Whirlpool CEE Tier III Energy Star Washer.

310 Indiana NW Project Receives LEED for Homes "Platinum" Certification

2012-01-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

It's official our Habitat for Humanity of Kent County project at "310 Indiana NW" in Grand Rapids achieved LEED for Homes "Platinum" certification. Although it's their first LEED for Homes "Platinum" project, they have built over 68 LEED certified home in the Grand Rapids area. It was built by student volunteers from Grand Rapids Public School Academy for Design and Construction which offered a tremendous opportunity for the students to learn cutting-edge green building and design. Not many students their age can say they help built a LEED Platinum Home!

Besides the LEED certification the home also received ZeroStep certification and was featured in the 2011 Spring Parade of Homes. Some of the unique feature of this Habitat home are

Logix ICF Foundation.

Advanced Framing.

SIP Panel Roof.

Energy Star Windows.

Cellulose Insulation.

Passive Solar Design.

Passive Cooling.

Prison Built Cabinetry.

Rain Barrels.

Food Garden.

"River Escape" Project Wins 2011 GreenBuilder Magazines Home of the Year Award

2011-12-27T16:13:00.001-08:00

We are proud to announce that our "River Escape" project was named GreenBuilder Magazine's 2011 Home of the Year.This is a very prestigious national award from one of the industries most respected green building magazines. This is the second time in the awards four year history that we have won this award you may remember in 2009 we won this award for our "Vineyard" project.

I would like to thank the project team members Vos Energy Concepts, Image Design LLC, BuildBlock ICF Company, and Turtle Wall for a awesome job! We would also like to thank the Homeowner for allowing us all to be apart of the special project! Please checkout the GreenBuilder Media Press Release.

Come Tour the "River Escape" Project on 11.11.11

2011-10-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

On 11.11.11 come see our "River Escape" project a truly affordable home that was built to be 88% more energy efficient than and standard new code built home. This home is a Zero-Energy home that is projected to be a LEED for Homes “Platinum” project. The home is also a finalist for Green Builder Magazines "2011 Home of the Years". And is ZeroStep “Silver” Certified (Lifetime Design or Barrier Free) from Disability Advocates of Kent County Michigan.

Key Sustainable/Green Features

Rain Permeable Gravel Driveway.
Lifetime Design (Barrier Free)
Zero step entries.
Energy Star North Star Triple Pane Windows.
Energy Star LED & CFL lighting.
Energy Star Ceiling Fans.
Energy Star Appliances by Frigidaire.
SIP Panel Roof
Frost Protected Shallow Foundation (with R-20 Dow Insulation beneath it.)
BuildBlock ICF Construction (with 40% Fly-Ash)
Advanced Framing (Studs @ 24” o.c.)
James Hardie FiberCement siding (with recycled content)
MiraTec Trim (formaldehyde free, SCS Certified)
Central Vacuum System (Greatly reduces in-door air pollutants)
Concrete Floors through-out main floor. (Colored in the concrete mix)
FSC certified Bamboo Flooring on second story.
FSC certified stud interior walls.
No-VOC Paints and primers.
Low-VOC caulks and sealants.
Amish Built Kitchen Cabinets from wood within 5 miles from the project site.
Dual-Flush toilet by American Standard.
Low flow shower heads and faucets.
Pex Plumbing.
Radon Venting.
Radiant Heat Through-out Home.
Life breath HRV (heat recovery ventilator)
Passive Solar Design.
Solar Hot Water. (30% Tax Rebate)
4.1kW of Photovoltaic (30% Tax Rebate)
Pellet Stove (Back up Heat System)
Pre-wired for a future Wind Generator.
Pre-wired for future battery backup.

Please RSVP with us at 616.957.LEED (5333) or at ehughes@imagedesignarch.com

A HERS Score of -1!!!!!

2011-05-17T05:36:00.001-07:00

More Exciting news from Arn McIntyre of Ferris State University Energy Center (Our Green rater) and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County our "335 Freyling Place Net-Zero Energy Project" just received a preliminary HERS score of -1. This is possibly the new lowest HERs score in the State of Michigan. It's all preliminary but we'll have firm results this fall upon completion:

Area of conditioned space 2904
Btu/ sf/ hdd .51
Peak heat loss design 11.6 kbtu/h
Shell area: 5677
ACH 50 4.23
Total cfm of blower door 400cfm
Date of blower door test 4/8/11
Test performed by Arn McIntyre
Electrical kwh per year 28.6mmbtu/yr
Fossil btu per year 20.2mmbtu/yr
Renewable Elec produced per year 33.5mmbtu/yr
HERS index -1

See the post below for more information on what a HERs score is.

As I mentioned in the post below, I am a firm believer in Kaizen ( A Japanese philosophy), or continuous improvement. I am continually studying the building science of homes to make improvements to them so they are as energy efficient as possible within their budgets. So even though a HERS rating of -1 is the best we have achieved so far our goal are to continually improve upon that score with the ultimate goal of a HERS score of even a larger negative score.

A HERS Score of 12!!!

2011-05-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

Exciting news from Mike Holcomb of Energy Auditor General (Our LEED for Homes rater) and Dan Vos of Vos Energy Concept our "River Escape project" just received a HERS score of 12. This is the lowest score Mike Holcomb has every tested as a rater in Michigan and possibly the lowest score in the State of Michigan. This extremely low HERS score means that our "River Escape" project should easily be projected at the "Platinum" Level under the LEED for Homes program. Both Dan and I are very excited about this news.

What is a HERS, or Home Energy Rating System score? Well it is basically a rating of how energy efficient a home is based on a number of things, including a blower door test, the HVAC system, energy usage, and so on. The HERS rating is what is used to qualify a home for the Energy Star Rating. The rating is based off of a standard new home built to code that was rated originally tested and used as the test case with the score of 100. A typical older home has a HERS index of 125-150. Most homes that qualify for Energy Star homes must have a HERS rating of 85. That means that those homes are 15% more energy efficient than the test house. This is really good and a step in the right direction. Most of our homes have been scoring in the 50's, which is where we would expect the to fall. That HERS score would qualifies our homes as 5 star+ in the Energy Star rating system. The "River Escape Project" came in at 12 (lower the better) making it 88% more efficient than a new home built to code.

Based on their Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scores, the average home certified under LEED for Homes since its launch in February 2008 is predicted to use an estimated 30-60% less energy than a comparable home built to International Energy Conservation Code. Based on the average HERS ratings for each level of LEED certification, these homes could potentially see energy reductions of:

Certified: Up to 30%.

Silver: Approximately 30%.

Gold: Approximately 48%.

Platinum: 50-60%.

As many know, I am a firm believer in Kaizen ( A Japanese philosophy), or continuous improvement. I am continually studying the building science of homes to make improvements to them so they are as energy efficient as possible within their budgets. So even though a HERS rating of 12 is the best we have achieved so far our goal are to continually improve upon that score with the ultimate goal of a HERS score of 0 or a negative score.

Our "Net Zero" Habitat Home Breaks Ground

2011-02-11T11:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the Ground Breaking for the "Net Zero" Habitat for Humanity of Kent County project at 335 Freyling Place in Historical Weathy Height district of Grand Rapids. This will be Michigan's first Habitat "Net-Zero" Energy Home and the 300th home for Habitat For Humanity of Kent County.

The project is being used as a "Green Learning Laboratory" for more than 120 students at Grand Rapids Community College's Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC and other departments, and students from Ferris State University Energy Department, will be doing Energy Modeling on the project and collecting data on the house and sharing it with the community, the State of Michigan and the nation through the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

The homes is a 1,519 square foot, 5 bedroom , Passive Solar , Super Insulated home. Some of the key features include ICF Construction, SIP Panel Roof, Advance Framing , Solar Hot Water, Solar Photovoltaic, Radiant Floor Heat, Passive Heating and Cooling, High R-Value Serious Windows, Dow Corning Foam product and CertainTeed cement board siding. This home is a projected Leed for Homes "Platinum" project along with Green Built Michigan "Gold, ZeroStep, EPA Indoor AirPlus, Epa WaterSense and Energy Star certifications as well as to adhere to all historic guidelines set in place by the Historic Preservation Commission. You'll all be able to visit this home on the 2011 Spring Parade of Homes tour May 27th - June 11th hope to see you their.

Please check out all of the Habitat Zero Energy projects at www.habitatzero.org

End of the Year Update!

2010-12-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

We have been very busy the last three month of this year. Our "Glenn Retreat" project (See the picture above) is now complete and the final LEED for Homes certification paperwork is nearing completion this will be a LEED for Homes "Platinum" Project. Our projected LEED for Homes "Gold " "Turtle Lake" (Beulah, Mi.) project (Possibly a "Platinum" project now) and projected our LEED for Homes "Platinum" "River Escape" (Stanwood, Mi.) projects are under full construction along with our "Honey Prairie" (Dexter, Mi.) project and "Joyfield Ridge"(Benzonia, Mi.) project. We also have several projects under design in Ada, Caledonia, Cascade, Glenn, Ionia and Niles

Affordable LEED for Homes project being built by Students

2010-10-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

A affordable Near Zero Energy, projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" project called the "Genesis Project" designed by Image Design is now under construction in Grand Rapids and will be built by Students from Grand Rapids Public Schools Academy of Design & Construction and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. This home is a Passive Solar home and will have concrete floors and a trombe wall for Thermal Mass. The homes foundation will be constructed with a Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) from Logix , installed by our friends from R-Value Conctrete Structures, LLC and the rest of the home will be Advanced Framed @ 24" O.C. with 2" of Dow foam to stop the studs from Thermal Bridging. The roof will be R-Control SIP panels from TEAM Industries with Energy Star Landmark Solaris roof shingles that reflect the sun from CertainTeed. The home will have Solar Hot Water panels tied into to a Radiant Heating system and it will be pre-wired for future Photovoltaic panels (Unless some solar company out there would like to donate some panel to this project!!!!). The Genesis Home plan is the most energy efficient design that Habitat for Humanity of Kent county has ever built and offers a tremendous opportunity for students to learn cutting-edge green building and Design techniques.

Come visit this home on the 2011 Spring Parade of Homes.

Turtle Lake Project is Under Construction

2010-09-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

Our projected LEED for Homes "Gold" "Turtle Lake Project" is now under construction in Beulah, Michigan. The home is being built by Joel Harner of Let Us, Inc and the ICF foundation is being constructed by Adam Eerdmans of Turtle Wall (Good company name for our project). This home will be a Passive Solar home with Photovoltaic and Geo-Thermal heating and cooling. The home will be constructed with a ICF Foundation and Advance Framing with 1" of Dow Foam for the main floor. The exterior will be Fiber Cement Siding with a Metal Roof and Andersen Windows.

Help Us Welcome A New Employee

2010-09-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

Please help us welcome Ching C. Van, LEED AP to Image Design, LLC. He is a graduate from Lawrence Technological University (LTU) with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and is currently pursuing his Masters Degree. He will be helping us in multiple way from Drafting and Marketing to LEED Consulting. We are excited to have him working with us so next time your in of office please welcome him to our firm.

Wealthy Heights Net-Zero Energy Home

2010-07-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

We are proud and excited to be the designer of the Habitat for Humanity of Kent County projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" Net-Zero Energy Homes in Wealthy Heights. This will be Michigan's first Net-zero Energy Habitat home and it will be built as part of the Wealthy Heights Partnership Project. Construction could begin as soon as September or as late as March 2011 depending on the entire neighbor hood improvement plans approval by various authorities. Besides being a projected LEED for Home "Platinum" project the project has goals of reaching Green Built Michigan "Gold" certification, 5+ Energy Star certification, HERs Score of 0, Zero-Step certification, EPA WaterSense Partner and EPA Indoor AirPlus Partner.

This home will have Photovoltaic's and Solar Hots Water System combined with Radiant Floor Heat to help it achieve it's Net-Zero Energy. The home will use several construction methods such as Frost Protected Shallow Foundation for a portion of the House, ICF Construction for the Basement, Advanced Framing for the Walls and SIP panel Construction for the Roof.

LEED for Homes "Gold" Gut Re-Hab project completed

2010-06-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

Just helped Habitat for Humanity of Kent County completed a LEED for Homes "Gold" Gut Re-Hab project. It was just 5 points shy of score "Platinum"certification. Please visit the Hovey Project's

I would like to thank our friends at Generations Timber Frames donate the awesome Timber framed front porch (Made from recycled telephone poles) that you see in the picture above. and our friends at Apex Landscape Donated the Landscaping along with our friends at Let Us, Inc. for donating the custom wood shutters.

Judging EcoHome Design Awards

2010-05-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

I am honored to have been ask to be a judge of EcoHome Magazines inaugural EcoHome Design Awards, honoring the best sustainable homes for innovative design, green building features, environmental performance, and integration with their sites and communities in the nation. I will be flying to Washington D.C. for the judging in a week and a half and I am really excited about the opportunity to be one of the judges for such a prestigious award from one of my favorite magazines. We will be helping to judge in all of these categories.

1. Production, less than 2,000 square feet
2. Production, 2,000 to 4,000 square feet
3. Production, more than 4,000 square feet
4. Custom*, less than 2,000 square feet
5. Custom*, 2,000 to 4,000 square feet
6. Custom*, more than 4,000 square feet
7. Remodeling, whole-house
8. Remodeling, green addition
9. Multifamily
10. Affordable Housing

Come See Us at GreenSolutions4: GreenFest in Traverse City

2010-05-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

If you get a chance please visit us at our booth at the GS4 Greenfest in Traverse City this Saturday. Our booth will be in the Con Foster Building and we will also be speaking on designing Grand Traverse Counties First LEED Certified Home at 12:00pm in the same building. This will be the place to connect with people, ideas, information, products and services related to green building. Get great ideas from green professionals, discover how to reduce your utility bills, learn about green products and services, and explore green initiatives that the Traverse City area has to offer.

Paw Paw project receives LEED for Homes "Platinum" certification

2010-05-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

It's official we just received LEED for Homes "Platinum" Certification for the "Vineyard" project in Paw Paw, Michigan. This is the Highest highest honor you can receive from the USGBC and the third time we have achieved this honor. We want to thank the member of the Vineyard project team for project well done. Thanks goes out to Image Design LLC, Hybrid Home LLC, Andersen Window Corporation, BuildBlock, R-Value Concrete Structures, Bauer Power, and AES (Alliance for Environmental Sustainability) for awesome job! We would also like to thank the Homeowner for allowing us all to be apart of the special project!

Glenn Retreat Project Under Construction

2010-05-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

We made a site visit to the Projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" Glenn Retreat Project this week and things are coming along great. We are very impressed with the construction progress and attention to detail on this project. Thumbs up goes out to Doug and Jeff from Lake Homes Builder's for all their hard work on their first LEED for Homes project.

Note: you can see how the passive solar is working on this project, see the overhangs and the passive solar awning's shading the project's windows from the summer sun.

Earth Day Special

2010-04-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

To help celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday April 22nd Image Design, LLC will be taking $500.00 off our design fee for any new design projects that we are hired for between April 18th and April 24th 2010. We hope that you all enjoy the different Earth Day events through-out the next week.

"YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD." - Mahatma Ghandi

Kingsley project receives LEED for Homes "Gold" Certification

2010-03-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

It's official we just received LEED for Homes "Gold" Certification for the "Granite Hill" project in Kingsley, Michigan. This is the second highest honor you can receive from the USGBC. To our knowledge this is the first LEED certified home in Grand Traverse county. Congratulation goes out to Frontier Construction this is their first LEED for Homes project they have completed, hopefully we can help them with many more. We want to thank the member of the Granite Hill project team for project well done. Thanks goes out to Frontier Construction LLC, Image Design LLC, Andersen Window Corporation, BuildBlock, Brown Lumber, Odem Re-use Co. and Sustainable Environmental Services for awesome job! We would also like to thank the Homeowner for allowing us all to be apart of the special project!

"Granite Hill" Project Wins Two National Awards

2010-02-26T07:23:00.000-08:00

Today we found out the "Granite Hill" in Kingsley , Michigan won two national awards from the ICFA (Insulating Concrete Form Association). The 2009 ICFA Excellence Award is the premier industry recognition for the most innovative and noteworthy ICF projects of the year. We are proud that BuildBlock our ICF supplier believed in our project so much that they entered us it these prestigious awards. Buildblock sweep the awards with there projects. We are proud to have won the following two awards.

ICFA Small Residential Project Gold Award: Is awarded to the nations top ICF residential project less than 3,000 square feet.

ICFA Sustainability Project Bronze Award: Is awarded to the nations top
Residential or Commercial ICF project which maximizes the energy
performance and minimizes the environmental footprint of a building.

Congratulation to the Homeowners and Frontier Construction (Builder), Dave Russell of Wall Tech Products, LLC (Distributor), ourselves Image Design, LLC (Designer) and BuildBlock (Supplier) for winning these prestigious awards. Also a big thank goes out to all the behind the seen people who worked on this project, we could not of done it without all of you.

"Vineyard" Project Wins Two National Awards

2010-02-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today we found out the "Vineyard Project" in Paw Paw , Michigan won two national awards from the ICFA (Insulating Concrete Form Association). The 2009 ICFA Excellence Award is the premier industry recognition for the most innovative and noteworthy ICF projects of the year. We are proud that BuildBlock our ICF supplier believed in our project so much that they entered us it these prestigious awards. Buildblock sweep the awards with there projects. We are proud to have won the following two awards.

ICFA Large Residential Project Gold Award: Is awarded to the nations top ICF residential project over 3,000 square feet.

ICFA Sustainability Project Silver Award: Is awarded to the nations top
Residential or Commercial ICF project which maximizes the energy
performance and minimizes the environmental footprint of a building.

Congratulation to the Homeowners and "Team Hybrid" members Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC (Builder), Dave Russell of Wall Tech Products, LLC (Distributor), ourselves Image Design, LLC (Designer), R-Value Concrete Structures (Installer) and BuildBlock (Supplier) for winning these prestigious awards. Also a big thank goes out to all the behind the seen people who worked on this project, we could not of done it without all of you.

Grand Traverse Green 2010

2010-02-04T05:46:00.000-08:00

If you get a chance I will be speaking at Grand Traverse Green 2010 Conference in Traverse City Michigan on Saturday February 6th from 10:00am to 11:30am at the Hagerty Center. We were invite by the Grand Traverse Home Builders Association to speak at this conference. Traverse City Home Builders Association (HBAGTA) and Traverse Area Association of Realtors (TAAR) are both Pioneers in the Green Building movement TAAR, with the with the technological support from the HBAGTA Green Build Grand Traverse Committee, has developed additions to its MLS (Green MLS). These additions allow sellers to list homes, commercial buildings and developments that have been certified or rated by one or more of the major Green Building Programs, including LEED, NAHB Green, Energy Star, and HERs. HBAGTA was the first in Michigan to have a nationally recognized local Green Building Certification Program which was recently retired in May, 2009 to partner with the NAHB Green Build Program. We are excited to be speaking in one of the Pioneering Green Communities in our State.

December Update

2009-12-29T08:06:00.000-08:00

Can't believe its the end of the year already! This past year flew bye. We have been blessed this last year by receiving several national awards and by being published is several national & local magazines and had a lot of coverage through the internet. Since our last update we found out that I was elected to the Board of Directory at the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES). I consider this a great honor and look forward to working with the rest of the Board members their, the AES has mentored myself and Image Design, LLC over the last 4 years and we would not be where we are today without them.

Our projected LEED for Home "Platinum" Glenn Retreat project is now under construction and the homeowners are writing a web-log about it. You can follow the progress of this project by clicking on the project's name above. Our projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" Turtles Hope project should be nearing completion some after the first of the year. We have several interesting project in design one of them is a sustainable remodel to a 1890's old farm house (see the picture above) built in in Dowling, Michigan the homeowners call the project Uncle Shane's. You can also follow the progress of this project by clicking on its project name too. This project will ultimatly be turning into a off the Grid Orgainic Farm. We are working on commercial LEED certified project called Northwoods by Nature that will be a non-profit Training Center for Green Building and Wind Tower Safety in LeRoy, Michigan. This project is exciting to me because it will give us a place up north to train and speak about Green Building and the LEED for Homes program to Builders, Sub-contractors, Building officials, Realtors and Homeowners in Northern Michigan. Some of the other project's we have in design will be built-in Howard City, Traverse City, Benzonia, Beulah, Dexter, Glenn, Ionia, Friutport, Newaygo, LeRoy, West Branch and Grand Rapids.

We are also anxiously awaiting final LEED for Homes certification on two of our projects the national award winning Vineyard Project which is projected to be "Platinum" and th Granite Hill which is projected to be "Gold". I am also in the process of working on my LEED AP + Homes Professional Credentials this is a two part process, first I will go for my LEED Green Associate certification then take a exam then if I pass it, I go take the LEED AP + Homes exam. This certification is worth one point on any of my projects that are going for LEED certification. So its important to have these Professional Credentials and it will also sets me apart from my competition. Also I will need it for a new venture I will be starting in 2010 (More about that next year)

2009 was a challenging, yet transformative year. Looking forward to the opportunities opening in 2010. Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

The "Glenn Retreat" Project is Under Construction

2009-11-24T05:43:00.000-08:00

Here is a sneak peak of the new "Glenn Retreat" project which is projected to be a LEED for Homes "Platinum" project. This Passive Solar designed Farm House Style cottage will be built by Doug Wierenga of Lake Home Builders. The perspective above is a southeast 3d perspective created with Google SketchUp software. By double clicking on this perspective you are able to see an enlarged view that shows the 2'-6" overhangs and the passive solar awnings that shade the sun from coming it to the home during the summer keeping this cottage naturally cool for summer enjoyment. There was an old existing cottage on this site that was beyond repair so the homeowners decided to re-use as much of the material as possible in there new cottage. You'll enjoy how these re-used material are worked into the interior design of this new cottage. This new cottage will use Advanced Framing methods (24" o.c. framing) w/Agra Based Open Cell Foam insulation and Geo-thermal heating and cooling to achieve the highest in energy efficiency. The home uses Lifetime design and Not So Big House design principle through-out the home making it the ultimate Retreat for family and friends of all ages to visit. Every material going into this home has been studied and research to make sure it is the greenest most sustainable choice for this home. The exterior landscaping was designed by Landscape Design Services, Inc. to meet the stringent LEED for Homes requirement and still be beautiful throughout the season. To follow this project through construction please follow the home owner web-log by clicking on "Glenn Retreat" at the beginning of this article.

"Vineyard Project" Wins GreenBuilder Magazine's "2009 Green Home of the Year Award"

2009-11-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

We are very excited annouce that we just found out that our projected LEED for Homes "Platinum "Vineyard Project" in Paw Paw, Michigan just won the GreenBuilder Magazine's "2009 Green Home of the Year Award" this is a very prestigious national award from one of the industries most respect green building magazines. Congratulation should go out to all of "Team Hybrid" for all of the hard work they are doing to be the leaders and pioneer's in the Green Building field in the State of Michigan.

I would like to thank the team members Hybrid Homes LLC, Image Design LLC, Andersen Window Corporation, BuildBlock ICF Company and R-Value Concrete Structures LLC for another awesome job! We would also like to thank the Homeowner for allowing us all to be apart of the special project!

Team Hybrid asked to share our Team Approach with Andersen Windows Central Division Sales Team

2009-10-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Team Hybrid (Image Design, LLC and Hybrid Homes, LLC ) spent the last two day's sharing our Team Approach of Designing and Building cutting edge sustainable homes with Andersen Window Companies Central Division Sales team. We were asked to speak and participate in their Success Fair (We were the only clients invite), showing their sales team how Andersen Windows companies commitment to working with Team Hybrid has paid off over the last 3 years and showing them what is instore for the near future.

Team Hybrid would like to thank Andersen Windows Company and there entire Central Division Sales Team for inviting us to this event and empracing the team concept approach to marketing. We are honored to have you all as members of our Team.

Pentwater project receives LEED for Homes "Platinum" Certification

2009-10-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

It's official we just received LEED for Homes "PLATINUM" Certification for the "Watercress Project" in Pentwater, Michigan. This is the highest honor you can receive from the USGBC. To our knowledge this is the first LEED "Platinum" Log Home in the nation. Congratulation goes out to Team Hybrid again this is the second LEED for Homes "Platinum" project from the team. We want to thank the member of the team for another project well done. Thanks goes out to Hybrid Homes LLC, Image Design LLC, Andersen Window Corporation, Homestead Timbers, Porter Sips and R-Value Concrete Structures LLC for another awesome job! We would also like to thank the Homeowner for allowing us all to be apart of the special project!

Check out the article's on the PrairieMod, Jetson Green, Materialicious and Mother Nature Network web-log's on the "Watercress Project".

Team Hybrid in Andersen Window Company Newsletter

2009-10-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

LEEDing the Way: A inside look at Team Hybrid. Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC and Eric Hughes of Image Design, LLC are the leaders of Team Hybrid Michigan's leading sustainable Design/Build team. Featured in the Andersen Window Companies internal newsletter which goes out to all of its employees Andersen is getting the word out about Team Hybrid. Andersen Window Company has partnered with Team Hybrid to help them stay the leading Sustainable/Green Design/Build team in Michigan.

Please read the article written in the Andersen Window Companies newsletter by double clicking the pictures below. Team Hybrid would like to thank Andersen Window Company for believing in what we do and for having the same passion for a sustainable future for all of to share.

Future Proofing Garages for Electric Cars

2009-10-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

Just got quoted in a great article by Katy Tomasulo of EcoHome Magazine called Future-Proofing Garages for Electric Cars. She talks about how single-family and multifamily builders should be thinking about how their homes will accommodate charging requirements for electric cars. Please read this great article.

"I always say plan for the future today, you won't regret it tomorrow"

Frank Lloyd Wright Meyer May House Symposium

2009-09-08T07:03:00.000-07:00

The Frank Lloyd Wright Meyer May House turns 100 years old. The birthday celebration this week features a symposium with big-name architects and designers coming to town and special tours featuring the home and others in Michigan. The symposium will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2009 form 1-5 PM . They will also be having tours of the Meyer May House
on the day of and the day after the Symposium. For those of you that know me, you know I wouldn't miss it. For those of you the don't know me, I am a big Frank Lloyd Wright fan. Hope to see some of you there!

Update
The symposium was awesome!!! And we also finally where able to meet our friends from our favorite web-log PrairieMod in person at the symposium.

Michigan Blue Magazine Fall Issue

2009-08-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

If you get a chance please check-out the new fall issue of Michigan Blue magazine there is a great article written by Lisa Jensen the editor of the magazine about "River Living". One of our first green homes we designed back in 2003 was featured in this article. The home was called "Modern Cottage" and was built on the Thornapple River in Ada, Michigan. The home is a site specific home that was designed for a narrow lot that was really close to their neighbors on each side of them. Every room in the house has a view of the river from the moment you step through the front Door. The home was designed to direct your view to the River not the neighbors. This home was a experiment with green and unique building products and was ahead of its time.

Green Feature

Metal Roofing.
Concrete counter-tops
Stained Concrete Floors
Hand made Concrete Tiled fireplace.
Recycled Barn Beams
Radiant Heat Floors
CertainTEED Cement Board Siding
Andersen 400 Series Windows
Use of the "Not So Big House" principles.

Unique Feature

Precast Plank for a Garage below the Garage.
Alder w/matte charcoal finish kitchen cabinets.
Honed granite counter top with glass tile backsplash.
Brazilian cherry flooring.
Catwalk connects masters suite w/childrens rooms.
Open stairs.
Connecting loft "secret room" in clildrens rooms w/rock climbing holds to access loft.
Bunk room designed for weekend visits and sleepovers.
Bedrooms all have decks and patios.
Mylar sink.
Built in sand box.

I would like to thank Lisa Jensen and Michigan Blue magazine for featuring one of our projects in one of its articles. Their magazine is one of my favorite magazine here in Michigan because of how it features unique homes and activites along our Lakes and Waterways.

Northern Home & Cottage Magazine Green Issue

2009-08-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

If you get a chance please check out the last issue of one of my favorite Michigan magazines Northern Home & Cottage magazine it is also inside of this month's Traverse magazine too. This months issue it is dedicated to Green Building, they have a several great article in it. The Cool, Green House article on the LEED for Homes "Gold" project designed by Architect Danny Foster that was built in Omena, Michigan is a very interesting article and project worth reading about. There is a article on 20 Great Green Products which three of them were recommended by me (Eric Hughes of Image Design, LLC ) and one from our friend Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC all of which were use on our LEED for Homes "Platinum" project in Onekama, Michigan. We were also mentioned as Green Building pioneer's in the Editor's Note article called Sexy Green which mentioned our Onekama LEED "Platinum" project. This magazine is dedicated to covering some of the most interesting and inspiring homes & cottage in northern Michigan every issue is worth reading! They also have a great online community on their MyNorth.com web-site where I created a group called Up North Green Living please check it out and become a member.

Image Design Web-log's 3rd Anniversary

2009-07-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the 3 year anniversary (July 31, 2006 to July 31, 2009) of our Image Design Web-log. We hope you have found this web-log to be interesting and informative. I really enjoy writing it and have received allot of positive response to having it. Since I put a counter on my web-log about a year and a half ago we have had 22,200 people visit our site. I am currently working on a new web-site beside having this web-log. Our new web-site will be able to show more of our past, present and future projects along with being able to purchase some of our most popular plans online. I would like to thank those of you how visit this site often and hope you keep visiting this site. A great way to stay in touch with this site is to click on the follow button on the right side of the web-log and become a Follower on this site!. Thanks to those of you that are already Follower on this site.

Tulikivi Masonry Unit Heater (Fireplace)

2009-06-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

Some of you were able to tour our 2009 Michigan Energy Fair Show Home in Kingsley Michigan this last weekend, for those of you that were not. One of the favorite feature of this home was the Tulikivi Masonry Unit Heater Fireplace from Positive Chimney & Fire Place Located in Cadillac, Michigan. TULIKIVI (TWO-lee-KEE-vee). In Finnish, it literally means "fire stone". In English, it translates into one of the world's most beautiful and efficient ways to heat your house.

Fireplaces are important in every home especially to those who are located in cold places like Michigan. However, burning wood inside your home is not eco friendly enough and not an efficient way to save fuel. To address this issue, Finnish company Tulikivi has created the soapstone fireplace that is truly beautiful and fuel-efficient that produces some of the cleanest, most energy-efficient wood-burning fireplaces in the world. Adding to the “green” appeal of a Tulikivi fireplace is its healthy radiant heat output and use of a local, renewable, carbon neutral fuel – wood. These soapstone fireplaces are a traditional heating method in Finland, but are now winning converts here at a time when prices for oil and natural gas continue to soar. Typical wood-burning fireplaces send the majority of their heat up the chimney; not so with a Tulikivi. The soapstone soaks up the fire’s heat as it burns, stores it and then gently and steadily releases it after the fire is out. Tulikivi is recognized by the Finnish Allergy and Asthma Federation as a heating option for those households where asthma or allergies are a key concern, due to the extremely low particle emission of its latest collection of fireplaces (introduced in North America earlier this year). Tulikivi fireplaces supersede the strictest air quality standards in the world and help's our "Granite Hill Project" earn points towards its projected LEED for Homes "Gold" certification. It’s nice to know that you can now have a fireplace that is not only fashionable and elegant, but also an earth friendly one.

Several people that attended this years Energy Fair told me it was worth the trip to this home just to check out his Tulikivi soapstone fireplace.

May & June Update!

2009-06-16T17:01:00.001-07:00

Many thing have happened since our last update. You can read the articles I wrote below about our trip to the Andersen Window factory, our "Watercress Project" completion or our 2009 Michigan Energy Fair show house and the exciting news about the "Vineyard Project" HERS score and it becoming a projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" project just to name a few thing since our last update!

As of this month we are happy to have 15 active projects in our office for design. The picture in this article is from the site of the latest project under design which will be built on Long Lake in Traverse City, Michigan. We have just completed the designs for a interesting projected LEED for Homes "Gold" project called the "The Hybrid II Project" in Pittsford, Michigan that Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes will be building along with the projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" "Turtle's Hope Project" that he has currently under construction. These projects should be fun to watch as Adam turns our designs in to reality. At the end of May we were hired for a new Zero Energy Home (ZEH) project in Beulah, Michigan and are currently interviewing for several other interesting projects throughout the state. Thats all for now.

Hope to see some of you at the 2009 Michigan Energy Fair were in Booth #8.

A HERS Score of 34!!!

2009-06-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

Exciting news from Mike Holcomb of AES (Our LEED for Homes rater) and Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes our "Vineyard Project" just received a HERS score of 34. This is the lowest score Mike Holcomb has every tested as a rater and possibly the lowest score in the State of Michigan. This extremely low HERS score means that our "Vineyard Project" is now projected at the "Platinum" Level under the LEED for Homes program. Both Adam and I are very excited about this news.

What is a HERS, or Home Energy Rating System score? Well it is basically a rating of how energy efficient a home is based on a number of things, including a blower door test, the HVAC system, energy usage, and so on. The HERS rating is what is used to qualify a home for the Energy Star Rating. The rating is based off of a standard new home built to code that was rated originally tested and used as the test case with the score of 100. A typical older home has a HERS index of 125-150. Most homes that qualify for Energy Star homes must have a HERS rating of 85. That means that those homes are 15% more energy efficient than the test house. This is really good and a step in the right direction. Most of our homes have been scoring in the 50's, which is where we would expect the to fall. That HERS score would qualifies our homes as 5 star+ in the Energy Star rating system. The "Vineyard Project" came in at 34 (lower the better) making it 66% more efficient than a new home built to code.

Based on their Home Energy Rating System (HERS) scores, the average home certified under LEED for Homes since its launch in February 2008 is predicted to use an estimated 30-60% less energy than a comparable home built to International Energy Conservation Code. Based on the average HERS ratings for each level of LEED certification, these homes could potentially see energy reductions of:

Certified: Up to 30%.

Silver: Approximately 30%.

Gold: Approximately 48%.

Platinum: 50-60%.

As many know, Adam and I are firm believer in Kaizan ( A Japanese philosophy Adam introduced me too), or continuous improvement. We are continually studying the design & construction of our homes to make improvements to them so they are as energy efficient as possible within their budgets. So even though a HERS rating of 34 is the best we have achieved so far our goal are to continually improve upon that score with the ultimate goal of a HERS score of 0. You can read Adam's take on it at his blog.

Happy 142nd Birthday, Frank LLoyd Wright

2009-06-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of Frank LLoyd Wright. Widely regarded as America's most influential architect, Frank Lloyd Wright left behind a rich legacy of homes and buildings, and created a distinctly American style of architecture that continues to influence architects to this day. He was born June 8, 1867 and pasted a way in April 9, 1959. His work has influence my life since I was a young teenager. I have been and still am inspire by his work. Some of my favorite works of his are Fallingwater, Meyer May House and all the Prairie Style and Usonian houses . Wright's philosophy in architecture promoted harmony between the building, its inhabitants and nature. His homes became part of their surroundings. He minimized their presence and maximized their practicality. He revolutionized modern architecture with the essentials of ecological design and green building. Also today was the birthday of another organic architect pioneer Bruce Goff who would of been 105rd. Today we should all honor both of these pioneers of the green movement. Other birthday this month are, mine Eric Hughes (June 9Th), My Son Joshua (June 29Th) a future pioneer in green movement.

2009 Michigan Energy Fair

2009-06-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

Its time again for the Michigan Energy Fair! Come visit the fair June 26th - 28th in Onekama, Michigan and see the latest in green building technologies. We are proud to have our projected LEED for Homes "Gold" project called the "Granite Hill Project" in Kingsley Michigan (Just outside of Traverse City) Be the 2009 Michigan Energy Fair Show House its also the first LEED for Homes project in Grand Traverse County. Many of you toured our 2007 & 2008 Energy Fair Show House in Onekama which was West Michigan's first LEED for Homes "Platinum" project and won numerous local and national awards.

Stop by our booth (booth #8) and see what we have be up to since last year and get a look at some our latest projects. We are able to show multiple projects using the latest in Sustainable/Green building technologies such as ICF's (Insulated Concrete Form), SIP Panel (Structural Insulated Panels), Advanced Framing, Straw Clay Construction, Passive Solar Design, Solar Hot, Photovoltaic, Wind Generation, Geo-Thermal, Zero-Energy Homes (ZEH) along with the use of the Lifetime Design ( Aging-in-place or Barrier Free Design) and the Not So Big House Design Principles.

Sustainable/Green Interior Design

2009-05-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peak of the interior of the "Watercress Project" that my wife Christy designed with the homeowners. Following the LEED for Homes guidelines she can help save you and your builder time and money by helping you with your Sustainable /Green Interior Design selections. She has experience in the following areas.

LEED for Homes
Flooring (FSC, Recycled & Reclaimed)
Lighting (Energy Star, CFLs & LED)
Windows & Window Treatments (Energy Star)
Paints & Interior Finishes (Low & No-Voc)
Furniture & Furnishings Appliances (Energy Star)
Children's Spaces & Baby Nurseries
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Water efficient fixtures
Lifetime Design

Christy is incredibly down to earth and easy to work with, people love working with her. By continuously staying up to date on new materials and innovative techniques, Christy is considered a green product expert. With her knowledge and enthusiasm, she continues to inspire our clients to mix these Green Design ideals into their projects.

The Watercess Project is now complete

2009-05-21T07:59:00.001-07:00

Team Hybrid has completed another one. The "Watercress" Project in Pentwater Michigan is now complete except for the final LEED for Homes certification which is projected to be "Platinum". This is the ultimate in Up North vacation homes; the home shell is constructed from ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) & SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) panels and North White Cedar Log siding with a Energy Star Metal Roof. Almost all of the tree's that had to be removed for this cottage were use in the construction or furniture for this home. The interior of this home is unique and one of a kind it was designed by Christy Hughes (My wife) along with the homeowners and is something you really should see.

If you are interested in seeing how the homeowners followed the 3 R's (Reduce, Recycle and Reuse) along with all the other sustainable green feature inside and outside of this home we will be having an open house in the next few weeks, please let us know if you would like to see this home!

We want to thank the member of Team Hybrid for another project well done. Thanks goes out to Andersen Window Corporation, Hybrid Homes LLC, Homestead Timbers, Image Design LLC, Porter Sips and R-Value Concrete Structures LLC for another awesome job! We would also like to thank the Homeowner for allowing us all to be apart of the special project!

Church of the Holy Spirt Addition Breaks Ground

2009-05-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was the ground breaking of the Church of the Holy Spirit Addition that Image Design, LLC designed. A main part of the addition will be used as a food pantry to help local area families. The food pantry at Holy Spirit is an Emergency Pantry for Northern Kent county through the North Kent Service Center. The Pantry is a cooperative effort with Church of the Holy Spirit and Assumption Catholic Church in Belmont. This construction will bring the Pantry up to ground level, currently the pantry is in the basement. This modification will make our pantry handicap accessible and provide for additional storage space for food stuffs. In addition, this modification to the church will provide additional meeting room for the pantry and community programming.

If you would like to help food and cash donations can be made to either church. The hours of the pantry are 6:00- 7:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Andersen Window Sustainability Tour & Meeting

2009-04-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed we use Andersen Windows on all of our projects whether there are LEED certified or not! As a Residential Designer they have been my window of choice for over 20 years now (Example see the picture in the post below this one). I didn't let my personal preferences sway the choice of windows for our Team Hybrid projects they had to earn that. When Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC and Image Design, LLC had the chance to design and build the LEED "Platinum" Onekama project, we wanted to form a project team to be involve with all of our LEED for Homes projects which we call Team Hybrid. This team of companies had to prove to Adam and me that they had a commitment and a passion for sustainability and our environment with their products or services. So when we were looking for a window company to be a part of our team we didn't let either Adam's or my past preference cloud our judgment we looked at Andersen, Marvin, Pella and Jeld-Wen (Don't get me wrong these are all good window manufactures and I have used them all before.) We also looked at some local manufactures of windows. We asked to meet with a local representative from each of these companies. Before these meetings we asked them all the same question before our meetings with them. "What makes your company Green or Sustainable"? Out of these four companies only one set of representatives could answer and show us why their company was green or sustainable; and that was Aric Lavancher and Mike Bottema from the Andersen Corporation. They were able to show us why their company has been green and sustainable by providing documentation, literature and explaining their manufacturing process to us.

On April 28th Adam and I were invited by Aric Lavancher, our Andersen Architectural Representative, to fly out to Bayport Minnesota to tour the Andersen manufacturing facility and to meet with the Andersen Sustainability Team. We were able to see firsthand and behind the scenes of many of Andersen's manufacturing facilities and process. We were given access to several restricted area's that most people have never seen (even many Andersen employees) This access allowed us to see firsthand how Andersen Corporation is committed to environmental stewardship. To put it in perspective for you the Andersen plant is a 2.8 million square foot manufacturing facility that takes up 64 acres along the environmentally sensitive St. Croix River. Below are just a few examples of their commitments.

Andersen Corporation strives to utilize a majority of sourced wood from FSC or FSC Certified Controlled Wood in its clad wood products* based on availability and market conditions.”
They commissioned in 2007, a Steam Generating Facility at the Andersen plant that uses wood byproducts from manufacturing, and it produces 80% of the plants energy source. (We are one of the few people that has ever tour this facility and it was amazing to see it working).
98.5% of raw materials that come into the Andersen plant are used in the manufacturing of their products. Land-filled solid waste at Andersen's Bayport, Minnesota facilities has been reduced by 83% since 1990.
Andersen was the first window company to be Green Seal® certified. Green Seal is an independent non-profit group that labels environmentally responsible products.

I could show you numerous more examples but don't have the room here to do it. So if you would like to find out more about Andersen Windows commitment to Sustainability please visit their web-site by clicking on the underlined Andersen Windows link at the beginning of this post.
To say the very least I was impressed with Andersen Corporations commitment to green and sustainability and give them my endorsement as our window of choice for Image Design, LLC and Team Hybrid.

March & April Update

2009-04-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

March & April were very busy months for us. We now have 16 projects under design in our office with several of them in the pricing stages. Such as the Grand Rapids, West Branch, Glenn, Howard City and Pittsford, Michigan projects. We also have several projects under construction beside the one's mentioned above. Our projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" "Turtle's Hope" project is now under construction. The existing cottage (Which was un-savable) was taken down last week and and recycled. The augers cast pile should be going in next week. Please follow the Turtle's Hope projects web-log. The picture above is a updated photo (South Side or Rear Elevation) of our projected LEED for Homes "Gold " project called "Granite Hill" which is under construction in Kingsley, Michigan (Just outside of Traverse City) they're moving along to have this home ready for the 2009 Michigan Energy Fair this will be the 2009 Michigan Energy Fair Show Home. To find out more about these two projects please read the previous web-log posts on these projects. We also have a non-green project under construction in Forest Hills and a sustainable project near completion in Lake Placid, New York (I'll try to get some up dated picture from the owners of this project to post soon!). We also have the "Watercress" and the "Vineyard" projects now complete and anxiously waiting for their final LEED for Homes rating.

The Vineyard Project is now complete

2009-04-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

Team Hybrid has done it again. The Vineyard Project is now complete except for the final LEED for Homes certification which is expect to be at least "Gold". This net-zero or Zero Energy Home (ZEH) is sure to be another national award winning home with all of its sustainable features such as being Passive Solar, ICF construction and having Solar Hot Water, Radiant Heat, Geo-thermal, 3.3 kw of Photovoltaic and pre-wired for Wind Generation just to name a few.

If you are interested in seeing all the sustainable green feature inside and outside of this home we will be having an open house in the next few weeks, please let us know if you would like to see this home!

We want to thank the member of Team Hybrid for another project well done. Thanks goes out to Andersen Window Corporation, Bauer Power, BuildBlock, Hybrid Homes LLC, Image Design LLC, and R-Value Concrete Structures LLC for another awesome job! We would also like to thank the Homeowner for allowing us all to be apart of the special project!

Update: Read the post on PrairieMod web-site about this project!

Happy Earth Day 2009

2009-04-22T05:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day everyone! I hope you all take a moment today to really appreciate our earth and maybe do something today to help save it. Try planting a tree or picking up some garbage get your kids involved too. Please remember one of my favorite Indian quotes today.

"We didn't inherit the Earth from our ancestors: we are borrowing it from our children."

Last chance for our special Earth Day incentive see the post below!

Earth Day Special

2009-04-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

To help celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday April 22nd Image Design will be taking $500.00 off our design fee for any new design projects that we are hired for between April 15th and April 22nd 2009. We hope that you all enjoy the different Earth Day events through-out the next week.

Take action this Earth Day, encourage your states law makers to adopt programs that will help support green homes like Michigan House Bill 4193 http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2009-HB-4193. Call your local State Representative and ask what they are doing to support green homes in your area.

"YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD." - Mahatma Ghandi

West Michigan Home & Garden Show

2009-03-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

Come see us at the National Award Winning Team Hybrid booth #84 ( it's in the atrium across from our friends at Bauer Power) at the West Michigan's Home & Garden show . Many of you meet us there last year. Come see all that's happened since last years show. Check out our latest LEED for Home projects just nearing completion and see our new projects just about to start construction.

Dates & Times

Thursday, March 5th 3:00 - 9:30
Friday, March 6th 12:00 - 9:30
Saturday, March 7th 10:00 - 9:30
Sunday, March 8th 11:00 - 6:00

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute's Renewable Energy Conference

2009-03-02T15:58:00.000-08:00

On March 21, 2009 from 8:30am-4:00pm Pierce Cedar Creek Institute will be having their Seventh Annual Renewable Energy Conference. This conference is designed to provide a quality experience for anyone interested in renewable energy, from the novice to the expert. The conference consists of a keynote session, break-out sessions and an exhibit area. Please save the date to join us for an exciting set or presentations. Renewable energy is incredibly important for the future of the state and our local communities.

Onekama Project in ICF Builder Magazine

2009-02-24T16:48:00.000-08:00

The award winning Onekama Project is feature in this months ICF Builder magazine. It was the ICF Magazines award winner for Best Large Residential ICF project in the nation for 2008. Congratulation to Buildblock our ICF manufacturer, WallTech Products our ICF supplier, Hybrid Homes LLC the Builder and ourselves for designing and building this award winning project. Be sure to check out the extra photo of the project on their web-site. You can even see a photo of me helping to build this home.

Turltle's Hope plans are ready for construction

2009-02-21T18:51:00.001-08:00

Here is a sneak peak of the new Turtle's Hope project which is projected to be a LEED for Homes "Platinum" project. This near Net-Zero Farm House Style cottage will be built by Adam BearUp of Hybrid Homes, LLC. The perspective above is a southeast 3d perspective created with Google SketchUp software. By double clicking on this perspective you are able to see an enlarged view that shows the suns angle on June 21st. Which enables you to see how the 2'-6" overhangs and the passive solar awnings shade the sun from coming it to the home. You can also see the location of the Solar Hot Water system that will be installed by Mark Bauer from Bauer Power. To follow this project through construction please follow the home owner web-log by clicking on Turtle's Hope at the beginning of this article.

Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really Live

2009-02-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

Sarah Susanka is back, with a new book that shines the spotlight on remodeling, Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really Live. With new house sales continuing to flounder, many people are opting to stay put and work with the house they have. The book walks through the process of evaluating problem areas in a house and identifying the least invasive and most effective strategies for solving the challenges. The book, like Susanka's others, is packed with photos of actual projects, including a remodel of her own home. This is a must read book for anyone looking to remodel their homes. Image Design, LLC highly recommends reading this book!

Onekama project wins ICF Builder Magazine Award!

2009-02-03T19:12:00.000-08:00

We just got the news from the World of Concrete 2009, held in Las Vegas. That the Onekama project has won the 2008 ICF Builder Magazine Award for Large Residence 3,000 to 6,000 sq. ft. We are proud that BuildBlock our ICF supplier believed in our project so much that they entered us it this prestigious award. Buildblock also had two other projects besides ours win awards too.

Congratulation to the Homeowners and "Team Hybrid" members Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC (Builder), Dave Russell of Wall Tech Products, LLC (Distributor), ourselves Image Design, LLC (Designer) and BuildBlock (Supplier) for winning another prestigious award. Also a big thank goes out to all the behind the seen people who worked on this project, we could not of done it without all of you. Team Hybrid would like to send a special thanks to BuildBlock's Marketing Department for all of their hard work.

January & February Update

2009-02-01T17:39:00.000-08:00

Great news our projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" "Watercress" project in Pentwater is one of the main features in Walls & Ceilings Architect Magazine this month please take a moment to read the article. Also our national award winning "Onekama project" was feature on the 9 & 10 News Northern Michigan's leading news station click on the link and watch the video. We are also excited to have been hired for three new LEED certified projects here in Michigan, there in Ionia, Fruitport and Dexter. Five of our projects are now under construction or nearing completion, we now have sixteen projects in various stages of design in our office. Also we interviewing for several more new and exciting projects all over the country.

Besides being able to follow the "Turtle's Hope" project on there web-log you will also be able to follow our newest project we were just hired for through their design & construction process on there web-log called "Building our Green Dream Home" . This project will be in Dexter, Michigan (just out side of Ann Arbor) and were looking forward to working with these new clients on it. Some of the main features there looking for in their new home are a passive solar design with a rainwater cistern on it. Please watch the two web-log for updates!

The "Granite Hill" project is under construction

2009-01-22T15:11:00.000-08:00

Our latest LEED for Homes project call "Granite Hill" is under construction on 60 pristine acres in Kingsley, Michigan (just outside of Traverse City) This home sits on a ridge next to a hill of large granite boulders thus comes the projects name "Granite Hill". The project is being built by a new builder that were working with, Joel Diotte of the Frontier Group, LLC. The project team will be registering this project as a projected LEED for Homes "Gold" project. It will also be the first LEED for Homes project in Grand Traverse County. We are also striving for this to be a Carbon Neutral Home.

This home will be a Passive Solar Arts & Craft style home built with BuildBlock ICF's (Insulated Concrete Forms) from foundation to the second floor, then the gable end and dormer will be framed using Advanced Framing Methods, for the roof will be using Kasselwood metal shingle which are energy star rated and uses 30% recycled materials. The exterior will be using some of our favorite products James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding and Andersen windows. The interior will have tile and stained concrete floors on the main level which will make great thermal mass. The home was also design with lifetime design principles. The main heat source for this home is a Tulikivi Masonry Heater from Positive Chimney in Cadillac as backup heat we will be using electric base board heat and low EMF electric heat mats from SunTouch which will be installed in the master bath and the main bath. The ideas behind the the electric heat is that in the near future the homeowners hope to add Photovoltaic (PV) and or a Wind Generator to their project to provide all their electrical needs for the home.

This home will also be using re-used /recycled products from Odem Re-use Co through-out the home.

Update: This will be the Official 2009 Michigan Energy Fair Show Home!

West Michigan Chapter of USGBC names two Residential Green Building Advocates

2009-01-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

The West Michigan Chapter of the USGBC has named two of its members Residential Green Building Advocates (RGBA) for the State of Michigan. Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC and Eric Hughes of Image Design, LLC both have accepted the nomination of Residential Green Building Advocates for the chapter. A chapter’s Residential Green Building Advocate (RGBA) volunteers to serve as the local face of USGBC’s LEED for Homes program, helping to educate, build awareness and demand for green construction practices in the local & state homebuilding industries.

Besides being one of the two RGBA's Eric Hughes has chaired the Residential Green Building Committee for the last two years and also is working on be coming a LEED AP + Homes certified professional. Adam & Eric also were founding members of the Residential Green Building Committee.

Following the Turtle's Hope Project

2009-01-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

Here is a unique chance to follow the construction of a projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" project from start to finish. The project is called Turtle's Hope it is a small (1,328 sq.ft.) energy efficient cottage being built in rural Southwest Michigan, on a small inland turtle-filled lake in Hope Township (Thus giving it the name Turtle's Hope). This near zero energy cottage will be using some interesting construction technique on it. Because of the soil this project will sit on 27 Auger Cast piles roughly 48'-0" deep. Our special foundation system was designed by Roger Kelley of Engineered Structures.

The construction of the cottage will be done by Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC. This home will have a special floor system with radiant heat designed by ourselves and Adam, the main construction will be SIP panels, with a large amount of southern glass on this house Passive Solar will do most of the heating in winter. There will also be Solar Hot Water on the roof and that should also help with the heat distribution, when integrated with a radiant floor heat system. With the home also being pre-wire for Photovoltaic it will be ready for future upgrades when and if the homeowners choose too. The homeowners will be recycling anything they can from there existing cottage that's on there site, which will then be donated to Habitat Re-store for anything they can use. We would like to thank the homeowners for sharing their design & building experiences with you through there blog.

Updated!!! We are happy to annouce that "Turtle's Hope" will be the show house for this year's Pierce Cedar Creek Institutes renewable energy conference on March 21, 2009. Adam and I will be giving a presentation on the design and construction of this near zero energy cottage.

November & December Update

2008-12-01T16:15:00.001-08:00

As we are near the end of 2008 we have a lot to look forward to in 2009. We will have a new President with a strong goal to make the next 4 years better than the last 8 years. We have new legislation just passed in Michigan and in the the bail out that benefits renewable energies like wind energy, solar hot water and photovoltaic. If all goes as planned Michigan will become one of the major manufactures of renewable energies. At our home/office we just finished our green bathroom remodel and are close to finishing our kitchen remodel. Our office remodel is starting to progress nicely and this winter we will start a new green bathroom and bedroom project.

We are also excited to have been hired for two new LEED certified projects in Pitsford and Bezonia. Four of our projects are under construction and nearing completion, three project are almost ready to start construction and we have eleven projects in the design phase. Also we interviewing for several new and exciting projects all over the country. The picture above is a Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style home we designed that's being built in Lake Placid, New York. I would like to thank the home owners Carlo and Amy for keeping us updated with pictures of their project. I will keep you all updated on this project as I get more updates.

New National BuildBlock Ad Showing The Award Winning Onekama Hybrid House

2008-10-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

We are excited to again be part of BuildBlock national Ad campaign. This Ad will be in the October issue of ICF Builder Magazine. You can see the two national awards our project won from the ICFA (Insulating Concrete Form Association) in the ad. BuildBlock is our block of choice when specifying an ICF project. Stay tuned for some more awesome projects being built and in design using there fine product.

September & October Update

2008-10-04T08:49:00.001-07:00

We are excited to see the Watercress (Pictured) and the Vineyard project nearing completion and getting ready for the final LEED for Homes certification process. Congratulation to Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes and his awesome team of craftsmen for all there hard work and dedication for following the LEED for Homes certification process on these two projects. We also are excited to see the interior finishing start on the Watercress project since my wife/business partner Christy worked with the homeowner on all the interior selection for this awesome project we can wait to see all of her hard work payoff. We have several project in the pricing stages now all of the are capable of score very high in the LEED for Homes certification process. We are also excited to have been hired for a new LEED certified project on Long Lake just outside of Traverse City and a green remodel of a 1890 farm house in Howard City. As you may have read below we are please to have won two prestigious national awards from the ICFA. You can read about or awards on my favorite web-log called PrairieMod and the BuildBlock web-site. Also we interviewing for several new and exciting projects all over the country.

Onekama project Wins Two National Awards

2008-09-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Today we found out the Onekama Hybrid Home won two national awards from the ICFA (Insulating Concrete Form Association). The ICFA Excellence Award is the premier industry recognition for the most innovative and noteworthy ICF projects of the year. We are proud that BuildBlock our ICF supplier believed in our project so much that they entered us it these prestigious awards. Buildblock sweep the awards with there projects. We are proud to have won the following two awards.

ICFA Large Residential Project Gold Award: Is awarded to the nations top ICF residential project over 3,000 square feet.

ICFA Sustainability Project Gold Award: Is awarded to the nations top
Residential or Commercial ICF project which maximizes the energy
performance and minimizes the environmental footprint of a building.

Congratulation to the Homeowners and "Team Hybrid" members Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC (Builder), Dave Russell of Wall Tech Products, LLC (Distributor), ourselves Image Design, LLC (Designer) and BuildBlock (Supplier) for winning these prestigious awards. Also a big thank goes out to all the behind the seen people who worked on this project, we could not of done it without all of you.

LEED for Homes Program Review Class

2008-09-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

On December 4th 2008 the West Michigan Chapter of the USGBC will be putting on a LEED for Homes program review class at Alliance for Environmental Sustainability in Grand Rapids Michigan. The class will be taught by Mike Holcomb one of the top green building authorities in the country. I highly recommend this class for anyone interest in green building.

WHAT'S THE CLASS ABOUT?
LEED for Homes is a voluntary rating system that promotes the design and construction of high performance "green" homes. A green home uses less energy, water, and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. LEED certification recognizes and rewards builders for meeting the highest performance standards, and gives homeowners confidence that their home is durable,healthy, and environmentally friendly.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this course, you will be able to:
• Describe how LEED® for Homes can be applied to various residential
building types.
• Define the Rating System credit categories
• Understand the evolution of the LEED for Homes Rating System through the
pilot process
• Communicate to stakeholders specific details of LEED for Homes
• Know where to go for additional resources and support

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Industry professionals seeking to increase their understanding of the LEED for Homes Rating System and green building strategies, benefits and resources

Builders

Designers

Consultants

Engineers

Developers

Home Owners

Product Supplier

For all workshop inquiries, email workshop@usgbc.org or call
800-795-1747.

Green Bathroom Remodel

2008-09-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

Today we start our green bath remodel with the help from Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC we will be gutting a 1952 bathroom and remodeling it as green as possible. The first thing we did was to replace all the existing light fixture with energy star fixture. We replace a inadequate bathroom fan with a new energy star Panasonic Whisper Green fan/light. And the electrical switches will be motion activated. All new plumbing fixture will be Grohe WaterCare low flow fixture to conserve water with a Toto WaterSense 1.28 flush comfort height Eco Drake toilet. The sub floor will be James Hardies HardieBacker™ board with exclusive Moldblock™ Technology then and ceramic tile floor that will be grouted with TEC AccuColor XT grout which is formulated to be highly resistant to common stains and mold and mildew. The combined product should deliver us the ultimate in mold resistance for our green bathroom floor. The walls and ceiling will be painted with Sherwin-Williams Harmony zero-VOC's (volatile organic compounds) paints designed with anti-microbial properties and formulated without silica. The Green Bathroom Remodel pictures will be posted on Hybrid Homes web-site.

Great Lake Green Conference

2008-08-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

The DeVos Place convention center at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan will host the state's first Great Lakes Green conference and exhibition. Events on Thursday and Friday are focused on builder topics and those on Saturday are catered to homeowners and consumers interested in green products and services.

If you get a chance to go I'll be there working the LEED for Homes booth on Friday. Also please stop by some of our friends booths like The Home Inspector General booth, Mike Holcomb will also be giving some great seminar and is probable one of the most knowledgeable persons I know on green building. Bauer Power Booth, Mark Bauer's booth will show the latest in wind and solar technologies he also will be giving some great seminars. Vanbeek's Custom Wood Products booth will have a amazing display of sustainable cabinetry such as Kerei board, Sunflower seed board, Bamboo along with FSC certified Lumber. L & H Adhesives booth will showcase the Bonded Logic Ultra Touch natural cotton fiber insulation made from blue jeans. R-Value Concrete Structures booth can answer all your ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) question Jake will also be giving seminars there. There are over 100 booth to visit hope you get a chance to stop by and see us there and some of our friends.

National Ad Featuring the Onekama Project

2008-07-16T10:27:00.001-07:00

Today we just found out BuildBlock the ICF supplier for the award winning LEED for Homes "Platinum" Onekama project took out a national ad showing our project in the July issue of Environmental Design + Construction magazine. Image Design and Hybrid Homes are proud to have specified BuildBlock ICF's and to be apart of there national ad campaign. The Onekama project is also featured on BuildBlock's website just click on the link adove to read about the project. BuildBlock have a superior product that we are using on serval other LEED for Home certified projects we have under construction including the projected LEED for Homes "Gold" Vineyard project in Paw Paw. We highly recommend there product and here in Michigan you can get it through Wall Tech Products.

June & July Update

2008-07-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

Were back from a Disney vacation in Florida and the 2008 Michigan Energy Fair. And were in the middle of a green remodel to our home and office. Our summer has been busy so far and so has our business. My wife Christy has been getting involved with the interior design on several of our projects now and enjoying the challenge. So here is a updated on our project's Hybrid Homes has the Watercress and the Vineyard projects both under construction. The picture you see here is the Projected LEED for Home "Platinum" Watercress project being built on Pentwater Lake. We are excited to have been hired to design two new project that will be going for LEED for Homes certification in the last two weeks one will been in Dorr and the other one will be in LeRoy. The LeRoy project will be a Clay/Straw Home which we are excited about learning this type of construction. Also we are in the design phase on projects to be built in Grand Rapids, Lamont, Glenn, Delton, West Branch, Kingsley, Grandville. We just finished a project in Lake Placid, New York. We are interviewing for several new and exciting projects all over the country.

Review of the 2008 Michigan Energy Fair

2008-07-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the 2008 Michigan Energy Fair. My wife Christy and I meet and talked with a lot of interesting people from all over the country that were interested in the design of green/sustainable homes. I want to thank my wife Christy for all the hard work she did to help and prepare for the Energy Fair. The evening before the energy fair we had a VIP party for all those involved with the Hybrid Show House along with friend, clients and the media it was a great start to the weekend long energy fair. Governor Gramholm was the keynote speaker on the opening day of the energy fair and to our surprise Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes was awarded an award from Governor Jennifer Gramholm for being a leader in using renewable energy in residential construction and also as a leader in Green Building in Michigan. Congratulation Adam! Were also gave seminars along with Hybrid Homes on creating the LEED "Platinum" Hybrid Home.

Our 2008 Spring Parade Home Wins Awards

2008-07-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

We are excited that our 2008 Spring Parade of Homes house with Scott Bronkema Builders has won several awards through the Home & Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids (HBAGGA). We all were excited to win the 2008 Awards of Excellence for a $400,001 - $500,000 Home in the following categories below.

Best Site Harmony

Best Exterior Design

Best Floor Plan

Best Owner Suite

2008 Michigan Energy Fair

2008-06-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

Its time again for the Michigan Energy Fair! Come visit the fair June 27th - 29th and see the latest in green building technolgies. We are proud to have the show home again for this years Energy Fair. Many of you saw the home under construction last year at the Energy Fair. This year you'll get to see it completed. This years key note speaker will be Govenor Jennifer Gramholm. Stop by our booth #8 and see us and get a look at our latest projects.

Happy 141st Birthday, Frank LLoyd Wright

2008-06-08T15:39:00.001-07:00

Today is the birthday of Frank LLoyd Wright. Widely regarded as America's most influential architect, Frank Lloyd Wright left behind a rich legacy of homes and buildings, and created a distinctly American style of architecture that continues to influence architects to this day. He was born June 8, 1867 and pasted a way in April 9, 1959. His work has influence my life since I was a young teenager. I have been and still am inspire by his work. Some of my favorite works of his are Fallingwater, Meyer May House and all the Prairie Style and Usonian houses . Wright's philosophy in architecture promoted harmony between the building, its inhabitants and nature. His homes became part of their surroundings. He minimized their presence and maximized their practicality. He revolutionized modern architecture with the essentials of ecological design and green building. Also today was the birthday of another organic architect pioneer Bruce Goff who would of been 104rd. Today we should all honor both of these pioneers of the green movement. Other birthday this month are, mine Eric Hughes (June 9Th), My Son Joshua (June 29Th) a future naturalist.

Paw Paw "Vineyard" project is Projected LEED for Homes "Gold"

2008-06-07T13:49:00.000-07:00

Image Design, LLC and Hybrid Homes, LLC are excited to announce our Paw Paw project (also known as the Vineyard Project) was just register as a projected LEED for Homes "Gold" project. Nestled in South Western Michigan's wine country this project is located next to a vineyard, thus the project name. This home will be a Passive Solar Prairie style home built with BuildBlock ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) from foundation to the roof where we will be using Elk 40 yr. Prestique Cool color dimensional shingles. The exterior will be using two of our favorite products CertainTeed FiberCement Siding (Includes Fly Ash) and Andersen windows. The interior will have stained concrete floor on all floor which will make great thermal mass. The home was also design with lifetime design priciples and has zero step entries.

Update!!! This home will now be close to a net-zero home thanks to the recent addition of 4 kw of Photovaoltaic, Solar Hot Water system , Geo-thermal heating and cooling and the future installation of a Wind Generator. Now were keeping our figures crossed with the new addition of these renewable energies on this house, it will be enough to push it to a LEED for Homes "Platinum" designation.

Pentwater "Watercress" project is Projected LEED for Homes "Platinum"

2008-05-28T13:14:00.000-07:00

Image Design, LLC and Hybrid Homes, LLC are excited to announce our Pentwater project (also known as the Watercress Project) was just register as a projected LEED for Homes "Platinum" project. This home has a Logix ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms)foundation with SIP panel (Structural Insulated Panels ) walls and roof from Porter Sips the siding will be hand hewn cedar log siding from Homestead Timbers and of coarse will be using our favorite window from Andersen, the project will be topped of with a burgundy metal standing seam roof. The interior of this project will be using a lot of recycled content including cabinets for the wet bar and laundry, vanity tops for two bathrooms various columns and the mantel will come from tree from there building site. This home will sit on the shores of Pentwater Lake with two spring feed creeks that flow into Pentwater Lake. The creeks are lined with Watercress which is where the project gets its name.

2008 Spring Parade of Homes

2008-05-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

If you get a chance please stop by our 2008 Spring Parade of Homes house we designed. It was built by Scott Bronkema Builders and is full of custom crafted details which Scott is known for. This home is situated on a beautiful wooded site with views of two different ponds and is one of the last sites to build on in Dix Farm development in Rockford Michigan. The parade of Homes starts May 21st and go through the 31st. This home should be a show stopper.

Happy Earth Day

2008-04-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day everyone! I hope you all take a moment today to really appreciate our earth and maybe do something today to help save it. Try planting a tree or picking up some garbage get your kids involved too. If you really want to help call your senator and tell them that you would like them to support a Renewable Portfolio Standard - or RPS - that will help jump start the growth of alternative energy in Michigan. Please remember one of my favorite Indian quotes today.

"We didn't inherit the Earth from our ancestors: we are borrowing it from our children."

Onekama Project Receives LEED for Homes "Platinum" Certification

2008-03-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

Image Design and Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes are please to announced today that its Hybrid Home project in Onekama Michigan has been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) highest certification through is LEED for Homes program. The Hybrid House received LEED "Platinum" certification. Only 22 other homes in the nation have received this honor. Along with the "Platinum" LEED Certifications and winning the GLREA 2007 Exemplary Project Award, this hybrid home has also been awarded an Energy Star Rating of 5+ Stars. You can also read more about this project in the March issue of Concrete Homes magazine and in the up coming Northern Home & Cottage magazines May issue. If you would like to tour this home it will be the 2008 Michigan Energy Fair Show Home. The Michigan Energy Fair is June 27th - 29th in Onekama Michigan.

Energy Audits are they worth it.

2008-03-03T17:43:00.000-08:00

After meeting so many people at the Home & Garden show this last weekend and hearing them all telling me about there utility bills being $500 to $1,200 dollars and wanting to know what they can do to make there home more energy efficient. I told them sometimes replacing old, leaky windows with new, energy efficient windows may help, but you need to take a step back and see how your home is really performing before you spend any money on windows, insulation, roofing, etc. My advise to all of you is have Mike Holcomb from the Home Inspector General come test your homes. Mike can perform a “energy audit” to find out how well your home is performing. If your home has leaks, where are they? As part of Mikes energy audits he performs thermal imaging where he takes a picture of your home to see where the heat is leaking in vivid color. Mike can also preform a blower door test where a 15-20 mile per hour wind is simulated in your home to see where air (and heat) is leaking from. Without knowing how your home performs, you could be throwing your money out the window. I recently read a energy audit report Mike did on one of my remodel clients project and I was amazed at how detailed his report was. I believe Energy Audits are worth it and would recommend you get one done before you start any remodeling project.

Come see us at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

2008-03-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

Thank you for those of you that stop by Team Hybrids booth and the LEED for Homes booth at the West Michigan Home & Garden show at DeVos place this past weekend. I got to meet alot of great people and vendor wanting to know about Sustainable Home Design and LEED for Homes. For those of you that missed us at the Home and Garden show or for those of you that didn't get enough of us we are also going have a booth for Team Hybrid and a booth for LEED for Homes at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute on Saturday, March 15 for the 6th Annual Renewable Energy Conference. Our friend Mark Bauer from Bauer Power will be speaking on solar hot water and our friend John Sarver of the Michigan Energy Office will be give a State of the State Address. Hope to see you all there.

Result from our What is your fravorite home style poll

2008-02-17T18:37:00.000-08:00

In December through February we polled our blog reader on "What is your favorite home style". And the following were the results of our poll.

Traditional Style 11%
Arts & Craft Style 23%
Prairie Style 31%
Cottage Style 15%
Old World Style 9%
Modern Style 20%
Other 6%

I want to thank everyone that took part in the poll we had over 105 responses, it will help us in our marketing research. I personally like all these styles but was excited to see the top 3 Styles. If you would like to find out more about any of the above style or if you would like to see examples of these styles please email me or call. Also please check out the new poll on "If you could have any renewable product on your home what would you want".

January and February Update

2008-02-09T09:56:00.000-08:00

This year has started off with a bang! We have been hired to design a green remodel in Sawyer along with three new LEED for Homes certified projects in Glenn, Delton and Tustin. Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC will soon start construction on two LEED for Homes registered projects we designed in Paw Paw and Grand Rapids these homes will raise the standard for what is green building.

Our Spring Parade of Homes house is coming along great, this will be a must see home built by Scott Bronkema Builders. Also if you get a chance check out the award winning home we design and Scott Bronkema Builders built that's featured in the Early Winter 2008 edition of Cosmopolitan Home Grand Rapids magazine and the award winning Onekama home we designed and Hybrid Homes built will be featured in the March issue of Concrete Homes magazine. Besides the magazine article check out this web article on Concrete Homes web-site about the Onekama project (Click here to read the article).

Last be not least come see us at the Hybrid Homes Booth and the LEED for Homes Booth at the 29th Annual West Michigan Home and Garden Show at DeVos Place February 28th -March 2nd. Hope to see you their!

Janurary is Radon Action Month

2008-01-23T12:59:00.000-08:00

This month is National Radon Action Month. At Image Design we are alway watching out for you and your loved ones. Did you know that Radon is actually deadlier than carbon monoxide. List below are some interesting fact you might not know.

Breathing home indoor radon causes nearly one hundred times more deaths each year than carbon monoxide poisoning.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

Some 20,000 people will die this year due to breathing too much radon without even knowing it.

Radon is estimated to be a health risk in as many as one in fifteen homes throughout the country.
According to Governor Granholm's Proclamation, one in eight homes in Michigan (EPA's map of Michigan radon zones) have elevated levels of radon

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, invisible radioactive gas that seeps into homes undetected through cracks or openings in the foundation, floor or walls, and can reach harmful levels if trapped indoors. It travels up from underground sources and uranium in the earth’s crust. And can be found in all the county in the state of Michigan see our Radon Map for our state below.

My goal this month is to raise your awareness of Radon and to teach you how we at Image Design take extra steps in our plans to reduce your risks of Radon.

At Image Design we include all these Radon prevention techniques in our sets of plans:

Gas Permeable Layer. This layer is placed beneath the slab or flooring system to allow the soil gas to move freely underneath the house. In many cases, the material used is a 4-inch layer of clean gravel.

Plastic Sheeting. Plastic sheeting is placed on top of the gas permeable layer and under the slab to help prevent the soil gas from entering the home. In crawlspaces, the sheeting is placed over the crawlspace floor.

Sealing and Caulking. All openings in the concrete foundation floor are sealed to reduce soil gas entry into the home.

Vent Pipe. A 3- or 4-inch gas-tight or PVC pipe (commonly used for plumbing) runs from the gas permeable layer through the house to the roof to safely vent radon and other soil gases above the house this system is called Passive Radon Mitigation. If , after your house is complete, a test determines that levels are still too high, you may have to convert to an Active Radon Mitigation System by installing a fan than runs continuously which creates low pressure under the slab and increases the rate of gas evacuation..

Junction Box. An electrical junction box is installed in case an electric venting fan is needed later.

As our nations builders start moving towards Green Building, builders shouldn’t forget that they can’t truly be green without being safe places for people to live.“It’s remarkably easy to protect our loved ones by testing for radon and building new homes with radon–resistant features that allow everyone to breathe freely and safely.” “It’s simple and cost–effective to build new homes with radon–resistant features“It makes sense to do it right from the start.” The radon threat is preventable with the simple steps above. When building new homes, builders can easily and economically include radon–resistant features during construction. The EPA also recommends that new built homes still be test for radon gas before they move in to make sure the radon–resistant features are working.

For more information please visit these web-sites.

www.epa.gov/radon/

www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap/michigan.htm

Stained Glass Designs by Image Design

2007-12-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

To go along with our Prairie Style theme this month I wanted to show you some of the other design capabilities of Image Design. Besides designing homes we enjoy designing many other facet of the home including Stained Glass or Art Glass as some call it. Shown here is a example Frank Lloyd Wright inspired stained glass we designed for the Prairie Style home featured below. Locally we prefer to work with Tom Blackburn of Pristine Glass Company there are one of the leading studios in the Great Lakes area. I have worked with him on numerous window and door projects over the years and their work has been flawless. Please visit there web-site. If you would like to find out more about our stained glass designs please contact us.

Samples of our Designs (Prairie Style)

2007-12-20T16:40:00.000-08:00

This month we will feature a example of Prairie Style Architecture. Those of you that know me, know that I am a big fan of this style. This award winning home was influenced by the prairie-style architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, evident in the roofline as well as in the materials and organic building form. With a shallow pitched hip roofs with large overhangs these home are perfect for Passive Solar heating and cooling, the large overhangs shade the home's in the summer from direct sunlight and in the winter they let the sun light in to warm the home; large casement windows and a clear story in the middle of the house provide plenty of daylight for a comfortable interior. At 2,890 square feet, the house is not small, but the experience of being in it feels quite intimate. There’s extraordinary focus on detail and quality craftsmanship throughout, creating an incomparable home of both remarkable comfort and timeless character. As with most of our prairie style homes we used custom stained glass thru-out the home. If you would like to find out more about this project or other plans we have in this style please contact us.

Results from our Most Important Design Features Poll

2007-12-10T16:39:00.000-08:00

In October and November we polled our blog reader on "What are the most important design features they were looking for in a new home". And the following were the results of our poll.

Lifetime Design 43%
Sustainable (Green) Design 58%
Not So Big House Design 49%
Passive Solar Design 45%
None of the above 6%

I want to thank everyone that took part in the poll we had over 100 responses, it will help us in our marketing research. I believe that all of the features above should be standard on all new homes! If you would like to find out more about any of the above features please email me or call. Also please check out the new poll on "What your favorite home style".

Team Hybrid Wins GLREA Award for Exemplary Project 2007

2007-12-10T10:08:00.000-08:00

This Saturday Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes (TM) and I went down to Ann Arbor for the annual GLREA (Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association) membership meeting. Where Team Hybrid won the GLREA 2007 Exemplary Project Award for the Onekama Hybrid Show House!

The GLREA handed us 17 plaques for each of the Team Hybrid Members who were vital to the project's success. It is important to remember, that there were several projects nominated from the Great Lakes Region.

The award reads:

"In recognition of the Onekama Hybrid Home, demonstrating the most innovative and practical use of renewable energy technologies and methods"

We are more than thrilled to win this award as a Team!

The members recognized were:

Hybrid Homes, LLC
Image Design, LLC
The Homeowners
Bauer Power
Sky Stream (wind generator)
Schucco (Solar Hot Water System)
Galaxy Electric
H and H plumbing and heating
Andersen Windows
Shaw Flooring
CertainTeed (Cement Board Siding)
R-Value Concrete Structures
Team Elmers (Concrete Supplier)
Onekama Building Supply
Standale Lumber
Alliance for Environmental Sustainability
Wall Tech Products (ICF Supplier)

Green in the news this week

2007-11-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

This week NBC is featuring "Green Week," NBC will be "entertaining, informing and empowering Americans to live greener lives," with these Special Episodes of your favorite shows check it out and see what you can learn. I don't know how green NBC really is but I guess its a step in the right direction. Also if you get a chance the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) GreenBuild show is this week on the 7th-9th in Chicago. I know many builders and supplier that will be going to the show. I unfortunately am unable to attend the show. So if any of you see any interesting products or literature that you think I might like please pick-up a extra one for me. You might have noticed green is every where you look and with gas pricing predicted to be above $4.00 per gallon by next summer. I feel confident that my prediction that the future of building will be green is correct. See this latest article from Ecogeek that confirms my predictions at http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1094/ . Now is a great time to have your green home designed with interests rates and lumber prices at a all time low. Give us a call and let us show you how a green home can enhance your families lives.

Samples of our Designs (Arts and Craft Style)

2007-11-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

This month we will feature a example of Arts & craft style Architecture. This 5 bedroom 3,676 sq. ft. Craftsman style homes has many timeless features such as stained glass windows, numerous built-ins, window seats, ceiling details and book shelves through out the three levels of the house. You'll feel comfortable with the warm interior and exterior colors of this home. The exterior is of stone and cement board siding and shake with the walls insulated with soy based foam insulation. If you would like to find out more about this project or other plans we have in this style please contact us.

Sample of our Designs (Cottage Style)

2007-10-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

This month we will feature a example of Cottage Style Architecture. This 1,400 sq. ft. cottage in Harbor Springs was design to reflect the timeless cottage architecture and the Not So Big House principles.
The material of the exterior are cement board shingles (with fly ash mix). The stone chimney and foundation add to the authintic "Shingle Style" nature of the project. If you would like to find out more about this project or other plans we have in this style please contact us.

Update for September and October

2007-10-24T05:46:00.000-07:00

It seem like summer went bye very fast, I hope you all enjoyed the summer and are enjoying the fall colors. We have be fortunate to be staying busy in this ever changing economy. I believe this is do to the current demand for green building here in Michigan. I strongly believe green building will be the future of building here in Michigan. I just wanted to give you a update on whats been going on here since August. Our project in Lamont Farms in Coopersville has been put on hold unfortunately. But on the brighter side the projects in Paw Paw and here in Grand Rapids have approved the preliminary designs and are in the pricing phase with Hybrid Homes (TM). The Onekama project with Hybrid Homes (TM) is nearing completion (Check-out the updated photos on there web-site) and is getting ready for final third party testing for LEED for Homes certification thru AES (Alliance for Environment sustainability). Our Dix Farms project with Scott Bronkema Builders is under construction now and we are anxious to see it go up. We have also been working with some new builders on several potential projects here in west Michigan. And we also have been interviewing for several more job all over the state and even one in a different country.

Sample of our Designs (Old World Style)

2007-09-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

We have been asked by you to show some more examples of our work. So every month I'll show a different example of a different style of residential architecture. This month will feature Old World Style, this house combines stone and cement board siding with a stucco and board and batton look with gable peaks and arched windows for a stunning European facade. If you would like to find out more about this project or other plans we have in this style please contact us.

Image Design August Update

2007-09-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

I hope you all had a good Labor Day! To give you and update for the month of August we are progressing along on the preliminary designs for the prairie style project which will be going in Lamont Farms in Cooperville. We have been commissioned for two new project, both of them will be sustainable, ICF and Passive solar, lifetime designed homes that will be built by Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes (TM). The first one will be in Paw Paw Michigan (pictured above). This project will be built next to a vinyard of concord grapes and will include wind generation, solar hot water, radiant heat, photovoltaic and maybe even geothermal. The second project will be here in Grand Rapids and will be a 1,400 sq. ft. home with solar hot water, radiant heat and pre-wired for future photovoltaic.
I have been nominated the chair for the West Michigan Chapter of the USGBC LEED for Homes Committee. This committee will be working on educating the public about LEED for Homes program and its benefit over other green building programs here in Michigan. If you or you builder would like to find out more on this program please give me a call.

Insulation 101 by Mike Holcomb

2007-08-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

This is an article by a friend of mine that I thought you all would be interested in. Mike Holcomb the author of this article owns the Home Insepector General. Mike is also the director of the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) which has been selected to participate in the LEED for Homes pilot program as a provider for the Midwest.

Insulation 101

I've been an insulation auditor for 15 years working with contractors that wanted to be certified installers. As a field auditor I've seen it all, the good, bad and indifferent. The industry's dirty little secret is that 70% of all insulation jobs are under insulated. The cheating by the insulation industry is rampant. The FTC has issued special rules and fines (up to $10,000 per incident) for general contractors not meeting the contract requirements. There are three reason why insulation is shorted. Operator error caused by a lack of training or equipment failures, mislabeled packaging my manufacturing and fraud (selling low bid and shorting the material to make up for it. Loose fill insulation, like fiberglass, can be fluffed up like whipping cream, giving the illlusion of adequate R-value (based on depth). But insulation depth is only an indicator of R-value if the density is adequate. Increasing your insulation from R-13 to R-19 may not improve the thermal performance of your home. Heat moves three ways:

Radiation.

Conduction.

Convection.

Radiation is heat movement through space. The sun heats the earth by radiation. Houses can be impacted by radiated heat that enters through window assemblies or through the roof.
Conduction is heat movement through a solid object. Heat transfers one adjacent molecule at a time. Convection is heat movement through a liquid. Air is a liquid. Forced air HVAC systems transmit heat convectively as do convective ovens. Most of our heat loss in our buildings is convective in nature. Fiberglass blanket is not effective at stopping air movement so it is not effective at stopping heat loss. Even when installed in a wall cavity fiberglass insulation is by-passed by convective air movement in the cavity through convective loops. Convective loops form when the air inside a wall cavity begins to move because it is cooled (and drops) along the outside wall and rises (as it is warmed along the inside wall. The warm air will rise until it get to the top and cools again as it hits the top of the outside wall, and drops. Pretty soon the cold air is pulled right through the insulation, in effect by-passing it. When selecting insulation it is best to pay attention to density. Generally the denser the insulation material the more effective the insulation. Each insulation in the list below will out perform the insulation above it:

Fiberglass blanket (or batts).

Dense-packed fiberglass (BIBS system).

Cellulose (wet spray).

Cellulose (dry packed).

Closed-cell, spray foam.

Open-cell, spray foam.

I prefer open-cell to closed-cell because hard foams can separate from the wood framing if the framing moves at all (wind loads, snow loads, humidity changes, etc.) Most insulation materials have an R-value of about 1 per inch. Would you rather have 1-inch of fiberglass (your furnace filter) or 1-inch of Styrofoam protecting you from the cold? Since most of the heat loss in a building is convective through the ceiling you should consider installing a material that can seal the attic against air movement. If you can't afford open-cell foam you should consider air sealing the attic before installing cellulose. Fiberglass should not be used in an attic with high temperature differences between indoors and outdoors. In no case should you upgrade your thermal envelop without investing in an energy audit by a qualified energy auditor. You can locate a rater in your location by going to http://www.natresnet.org/. Experienced raters can inspect your house to determine what system(s) in the house are wasting energy. Chances are that you will not be able to address all the problems but can cherry pick recommendations based on investment and benefit. I recently removed R-60 cellulose insulation from my attic and replaced it with R-24, soy-based, spray-foam. I reduced energy usage by 50%. The cost, $4,300 was recovered in 3 years.

By Mike Holcomb

2007 Michigan Sustainable Homes and Businesses Tour

2007-07-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that our 2007 Michigan Energy Fair show house built by Hybrid Homes (TM) will also be featured on this tour. So if you did get a chance to see the home then, please come see it on October 6th from 10 am till 4 pm on the 2007 Michigan Sustainable Homes and Businesses Tour (formerly Michigan Solar Tour) it is part of the ASES National Solar Tour. The solar tour is free and self-guided. You can visit as many sites as you would like, in any order that you would like. This tour offers a first-hand look at the successful uses of renewable energy and energy efficiency in buildings, both private and public, across the state. These homes and building will incorporating solar applications such as solar hot water heating, passive solar design, and solar photovoltaic electricity. Much more than solar energy will be on display, however. Buildings and home which make use of other forms of alternative energy such as wind or geothermal heating and cooling will also be included. Energy efficient and sustainable building practices will also be featured on the tour. We hope to see you there!

Tours will be held in the following areas this year:

Greater Lansing Area
Metro Detroit Area
Greater Ann Arbor Area
Southwest Michigan Area
Greater Traverse City Area
Greater Grand Rapids Area
Northwest Michigan Area (Hybrid Home Tour)

Image Design July Update

2007-07-30T15:09:00.000-07:00

We just finished the designs for Scott Bronkema Builders 2008 Spring Parade Home which will be in Dix Farm development. This will be a lifetime designed Arts & Craft style with lots of built-ins and details sure to be another award winning home for Scott. We are also starting a new project that Scott will be building in Lamont Farms in Coopersville, the project will be a lifetime designed Prairie style home with strong Frank LLoyd Wright influences through-out the home. Looks like our award winning 2006 Fall Parade of Homes with Scott Bronkema Builders in Howard City will be published in the October 2007 issue of Grand Rapids Cosmopolitan Homes magazine.

The 2007 Michigan Energy Fair show homes is getting closer to completion check-out the updated photo on Hybrid Homes (TM) website. This home is also slated to be published in the Traverse Northern Home & Cottage magazine in May 2008. We are also starting another Sustainable (Green) home in Paw Paw this home is looking at having wind generation, photovoltaic, solar hot water, passive solar and lifetime designs.

One of our commercial project in Ludington is also nearing completion Michigan Trucking & Equipment Sales (see the photo above). If you want to see the picture larger just double click it.

Jordan Valley Trout Pond

2007-07-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

I know this has nothing to do with design, but if your up north around the Lake Charlevoix area and get a chance, stop by Jordan Valley Trout Pond its just 3 1/2 miles south of East Jordan on highway M-66. It was my grandfathers original trout farm. It has been brought back to the way I remember it when my grandfather was alive. It is now owned and operated by my uncle and aunt. Its a beautiful place to visit and you are sure to catch all the trout you would like. It is an exciting adventure for children, teenagers and adults alike. We'll be visiting the farm on our vacation next week. Listed below are some of the features you'll find there.

Rainbow Trout.
Family Fishing.
Fishing Poles, Fly Rods, Bait, and Tackle provided at no charge.
No License Required.
Fish cleaned and iced or
Catch & Release.

Have fun and be sure to tell them I sent you! Please let me know what you think of it if you stop bye.

WGVU Morning Radio Show

2007-07-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

Hopefully some of you got a chance to hear us speak this morning on Shelley Irwin's morning radio show for WGVU Radio. If not, we were on her morning show with Mike Holcomb of the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) and the Home Inspector General, Inc and Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes (TM). We were on the show to talk about the Michigan Energy Fair and to give our perspectives on green building and design. We talked about many interesting thing all which were associate with the LEED for Homes program which we are all passionate about. We believe the LEED for Homes program is the best way for a homeowner, builder or designer to achieve a truly green home. I just want to thank Shelly for having us on her show and hopefully we can do it again sometime.

Review of the 2007 Michigan Energy Fair

2007-06-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

It started off with the VIP party at our show house which had a great turn out! And the debut of the new Team Hybrid trailer. The Trailer was so cool Adam decided to take it down to his booth at the energy fair. The trailer drew people over to the Hybrid Row which was a row of vendors including myself that were involved with the Hybrid show home. We also were published in the Ludington, Manistee and Traverse City newspapers and mentioned on TV and radio. We meet congressmen, senators, state and local officials along with a lot of great people interested in green building what more could we ask for. Our booths were continuously packed with people interested in the processes of the show house and our individual companies Image Design and Adam Bearup's company Hybrid Homes (TM). Adam and I also gave a seminar on building a Hybrid Home(TM) from start to finish. We were excited to see all 70 seat's full and people standing at every opening to hear what we were saying. Afterward people kept asking us if or when we were speaking again. And to top that we were invited to speak at several colleges and organizations. I have spent the last few days emailing and calling all the different people and contact's we made during the Energy Fair. What a great event I can't wait until next year. I want to thank Adam Bearup and all of team hybrid for making it a wonderful experience. I also want to give my wife Christy, a special thank you for being there and working so hard to promote our business along with Hybrid Homes (TM), and Team Hybrid (TM).

Energy Fair this Weekend

2007-06-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

I hope you all get a chance to visit the 2007 Michigan Energy Fair and our Show House this weekend. We are having a VIP party on Thursday from 6:00 til when ever. Check out the unveiling of the one of a kind design Team Hybrid trailer designed by Casey Handwerk of HP Wraps . Also please stop by Hybrid Row and see all the people involved with the show house we will be at booth 44 right next to Hybrid Homes (TM). And don't forget to take the Hybrid Challenge for a chance to win $2,000 dollars cash, a TOTO dual flush toilet or a Panasonic Whisper Green bath fan. This should be a great weekend. See you there!

2007 Michigan Energy Fair show house projected LEED for Homes rating "Platinum"

2007-06-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

After I was hired for the Onekama project and we defined with the builder (Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes ) and the home owners that it was going to a green project and proposed that it would be the show house for the 2007 Michigan Energy Fair. I started researching green building on the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) web-site and found the LEED for Homes (LEED-H) pilot program, I rushed to the phone and called our regional LEED-H administrator, the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES). I was excited to find out it was just 10 minute from our office. I quickly signed up for their LEED for Homes training class with Adam Bearup the builder. With AES help, Image Design and Hybrid Homes (TM) are excited to be at the forefront of this growing movement and believe that elegance in design in design cannot be achieved any other way. Mike Holcomb of AES is in the process of rating our first LEED for Homes project which we are proud to say is projected "Platinum". This would be the first LEED for Home "Platinum" project in Michigan and one of only a handfull in the nation with a LEED "Platinum" status. The LEED rating system has four levels (“shades”) of green: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with Platinum being the highest level of LEED certification. We are also working on numerous other LEED for Home projects and seeing great interest in the LEED for Homes progam and green building.

Happy 140th Birthday, Frank Lloyd Wright

2007-06-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of Frank LLoyd Wright. Widely regarded as America's most influential architect, Frank Lloyd Wright left behind a rich legacy of homes and buildings, and created a distinctly American style of architecture that continues to influence architects to this day. He was born June 8, 1867 and pasted a way in April 9, 1959. His work has influence my life since I was a young teenager. I have been and still am inspire by his work. Some of my favorite works of his are Fallingwater, Meyer May House and all the Prairie Style and Usonian houses . Wright's philosophy in architecture promoted harmony between the building, its inhabitants and nature. His homes became part of their surroundings. He minimized their presence and maximized their practicality. He revolutionized modern architecture with the essentials of ecological design and green building. Also today was the birthday of another organic architect pioneer Bruce Goff who would of been 103rd. Today we should all honor both of these pioneers of the green movement. Other birthday this month are, mine Eric Hughes (June 9Th), My Son Joshua (June 29Th) a future naturalist.

Passive Solar Design

2007-05-29T12:35:00.001-07:00

These pictures are of the 2007 Michigan Energy Fair show house being built. They show how the overhang's were designed to work with the sun's angles to cool the home in the summer (see the shadow lines just below the window openings). And in the winter the sun's angle changes so the windows get full sun light to warm the home, they call this Passive Solar Design. The show house was designed to be elongated on an east-west axis and so the south faces sunlight between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. (sun time) during the heating season. And in the winter the South facing glass lets sun light in and allows thermal mass to absorb, store, and distribute heat. For thermal mass we have included in the design a two-sided fireplace that will be built out of stone or concrete tiles.

Fly Ash mixed with concrete used in Show House

2007-05-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

As I talk to people about the Show House for the 2007 Michigan Energy Fair and all the Green Building products in it people seem intreged by the use of Fly Ash in the concrete that is used in all the footings, ICF walls and the Lite-Deck floors. People ask what is it and why we would use it. So I desided to explain it here in my Blog. Fly ash is produced by burning coal at electric power plants fly ash might be destined for disposal in a landfill. But when added to concrete, fly ash makes concrete easier to work, stronger and more durable. Fly ash also enhances the enviromental performace of concrete. Mining and manufacturing of natural raw materials can be reduced along with decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, using a ton of fly ash can save almost a ton of CO2 emissions from being introduced into the atmosphere. Inaddition to concrete, fly ash is used in mortors, stuccos, paints, artificial stone, carpets, ceiling tiles, soil cement, pervious concrete and a variety of other building materials. Adam from Hybrid Homes (TM) used some great sub-contractors on the show house. Team Elmer's supplied, delivered and pumped the concrete with a 40% fly ash mix and R-Value Concrete Structures poured all the flat work and ICF walls and the Lite-Deck. To find out more about this product go to any of these web-sites.