Thorntree Commons is a 22.5-acre environmentally sensitive residential community in Suttons Bay, Michigan on the Leelanau Peninsula. They know that Green building is smart building, and that energy efficient homes in a protected natural setting can make a difference for our environment and contribute to better modeling for how growth and stewardship can and must go hand in hand. Check us out on their web-site. We would love to work with you designing a sustainable habitat for this development.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
12:13 PM
Image Designs, LLC
Thorntree Commons is a 22.5-acre environmentally sensitive residential community in Suttons Bay, Michigan on the Leelanau Peninsula. They know that Green building is smart building, and that energy efficient homes in a protected natural setting can make a difference for our environment and contribute to better modeling for how growth and stewardship can and must go hand in hand. Check us out on their web-site. We would love to work with you designing a sustainable habitat for this development.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
11:04 AM
Image Designs, LLC
I just bought a new book that I thought would be good to share with you. The book Good Green Homes by Jennifer Roberts is an excellent book for home owners, builders, interior designer and architects. Its does a great job of explaining the concepts of green building in a way that anyone can understand. It is fully of great advice and has great example and pictures of green homes. This is a must have book for any green enthusiast.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
11:33 AM
Image Designs, LLC
This is slide show of a past Image Design project showing Arts & Craft Style details that we are capable of doing on your projects. Our Builders are highly skilled craftsman and are capable of crafting any details we can come up with. Here at Image Design we don't only design plans we create the total image for your project that your looking for.
Monday, January 22, 2007
6:13 PM
Image Designs, LLC
Another ICF home goes out of our office this time for Mike Tervoort Custon Homes this will be Mike's first ICF home. This home will be built in the Zeeland area and will be using many other green building products. Mike is using the BuildBlock ICF wall system. This is the first time I have specified this ICF block and am lookig forward to his feed back on it. The block is distributed by Wall Tech Product out of Harbor Springs, Mi.
5:53 PM
Image Designs, LLC
Today I went thru the Leed H (Leed for Homes) training class with Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC and 22 other architects and builders from around the United States at The Alliance for Environmental Sustainability . This class was very informative and well put together and I believe with help all that attended set them selves apart from the rest. The person that put on the class is one of the leading experts on the Leed H programs and has spoke all over the world. We are in the process of working with our builders and cleints on getting two of our current projects Leed H certified. We are excited about these projects and will be posting more information about them later. I am also working toward receiving my LEED AP (Accredited Professional) Certification.
Monday, January 08, 2007
7:37 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Here is a new quote I found that I like and wanted to share with you.
"Green buildings do not poison the air with fumes nor the soul with artificiality. Instead, they create delight when entered, serenity and health when occupied, and regret when departed. They grow organically in and from their place, integrating people within the rest of the natural world." —Natural Capitalism
"Green buildings do not poison the air with fumes nor the soul with artificiality. Instead, they create delight when entered, serenity and health when occupied, and regret when departed. They grow organically in and from their place, integrating people within the rest of the natural world." —Natural Capitalism
Saturday, January 06, 2007
12:52 PM
Image Designs, LLC
As of the first of the year Image Design will be offering Interior Design services. My wife Christy will be joining Image Design now that all three of our children are in school. Her services will include.- Interior Selections
- Color Selections
- Art Aquisitions
She has help several clients and family members in the past with their projects. And has been told time and time again she should do it full time. She is currently working with two of our latest clients on their interior design needs. So please welcome her aboard and if you need her assistance please give us a call and ask for her.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
11:42 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Today along with our friend at West Michigan Hybrid Homes we joined the West Michigan Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a community of more than 6,900 organizations from every sector of the building industry united by a common purpose: to transform the building marketplace to sustainability. USGBC's more than 80 regional chapters serve as the front door of the Council, providing green building resources, education, and leadership opportunities in their communities. We are excited about joining this organization to help future our knowledge on sustainable building and design.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
1:02 PM
Image Designs, LLC
Today along with our friends at West Michigan Hybrid Homes, we became a business member of the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was founded in 2000 as a vehicle to bring the residential construction industry into the 21st-century. The goal of the founders was to provide training to builders and homebuyers for environmentally friendly, healthy and energy efficient building practices and products.AES was recently selected to participate in the LEED for Homes pilot program as a provider for the Midwest. Only twelve reginal providers were chosen across the United State. The pilot program is the beta version of the final LEED for Homes program. We are exciteted to have signed up for the LEED for Homes training seminar in January. Thru this training seminar we have the opportunity to help shape the pilot program into the fully chartered version expected to be adopted next July.
Our plans are to get the Kelsey Woods Spec house in Ionia as a certified Leed for Homes project. Making it one of just a handful of homes in the State of Michigan with those certifications.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
10:19 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Yesterday Image Design became a business member of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. We traveled with Adam Bearup of West Mighigan Hyrid Homes to there annual membership meeting in Ann Arbor at Leopold Brothers Brewery an organic brewery. The Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) is a non-profit organization that educates, advocates, promotes, and publicly demonstrates renewable energy technologies. We are proud to be member of this association along with our friends at West Michigan Hybrid Homes and Bauer Power. Please if you get a chance check out their web-site.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
7:00 PM
Image Designs, LLC
The Spec House for Kelsey Wood in Ionia is about to start! We are really excited about this project. We are building on Unit #13, it has a beautiful view of the 3rd hole green and the 4th hole tee on Shadow Ridge golf course. This is a really must see spec house for Ionia. There is a awsome team of people involved with this project. Adam Bearup from West Michigan Hybrid Homes is one of the leading Green Builders in the State and he will be the Builder of this home. We are also trying to use as many local subs from Ionia as we can for this project to help the local economy there.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
5:49 AM
Image Designs, LLC
We just found out today from the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids that our Fall Parade of Homes House with Scott Bronkema Builders won the People’s Choice Award for Best Kitchen, Best Interior Elements, and Best Exterior Elements. The Peoples Choice Awards are designed to honor the outstanding achievements in new home construction, as well as to encourage and generate new ideas in marketing and merchandising based on the response of the general public. Congratulations to Scott Bronkema Builders!!
Monday, November 06, 2006
5:16 PM
Image Designs, LLC
Some interesting facts we hope you consider when making your energy decisions from our friends at Bauer Power.
- 7 Billion Tons of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere from the United States every year.
- The average American household emits 15 Tons of CO2 annually, half of which comes from the energy needs of our homes.
- We burn 400% more gas and coal then we need to because 73% of all power generated from US power plants gets lost in transmission.
- If every American household (100 million homes) changed just ONE light bulb to a compact fluorescent, it would be like taking 1 MILLION cars of the road.
- Turning your thermostat down just 3 degrees in the winter & up in 3 degrees in the summer reduces half a TON of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.
- Driving a Hybrid car will reduce your CO2 emissions by 8TONS versus driving an average American car.
So what are you going to do to help make a change?
Monday, October 30, 2006
3:48 PM
Image Designs, LLC
The Demolition of a existing home on Fisk Lake in East Grand Rapids Michigan took place today. To make way for a 1.9 million dollar spec house by JLR Builders, LLC. This home will have the look and feel as though its allways been there! There will be leaded and stained glass thruout the Home from Pristine Glass Company along with a custom entry door by Clearlite Window Company.
3:31 PM
Image Designs, LLC
We have a interesting remodel on Sable Lake in Irons Michigan starting. We will be using ICF's and SIP panels to remodel this cottage. Our clients chose to use West Michigan Hybrid Homes for the contractor for this project after seeing the extensive work they have done with ICF's. You'll be able to see the progress of the remodel from West Michigan Hybrid Homes web-site my chicking on Sable lake above. We hope you will all enjoy watching this remodel.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
9:24 AM
Image Designs, LLC
Many people planning to build a new home or makeover an older home are often surprised when asked if they have plans for their project. While a contractor may be able to draw a simple set of building plans, residential designers are experienced specialists who are trained to use space most efficiently and educated in all the newest trends and products available.
They not only design your project from scratch, but also spend time with each client to determine their specific needs, lifestyles, priorities and budgets to create a custom room, addition, renovation or entire home. Residential designers may best be described as a cross between an architect and an interior designer. The interior of your project is equally as important to them as the exterior.
Q: Why seek out a residential designer to design my project when so many contractors offer free design advice as part of their service?
A: Contractors generally tend to fill a client's requests in the most straight forward manner possible, keeping things simple to avoid confusion and spending any more time than they feel is necessary. Getting the job and building it are usually their number one priorities. By contrast, the residential designer's whole purpose is to sit down with you and work out your design puzzle in its entirety, with the emphasis on finding the best solution rather than the most obvious. A residential designer will creatively present options to you and point out their advantages. Helping you understand the complexities of the project fully before it goes to bid ( or worse, gets built) prevents misunderstandings and possible regrets about your choices.
Q: But isn't using a residential designer expensive?
A: Not at all. In addition to saving time and effort, it often saves you money. Most quality contractors are thrilled to get well-documented, professionally designed plans. They recognize that detailed plans with full specifications and interpretive detailed drawings result in a smooth-running project. A client who understands and wants exactly what he is getting saves the contractor from the potential barrage of change-orders, time and money over-runs, and bad feelings on both sides that can easily result from misunderstandings and/or ambiguities. Having accurate plans before the bidding process even starts makes it easier on the contractors AND the client. If multiple bids are obtained, everyone is bidding on EXACTLY the same materials, brands, models, quality expectations, etc.
Q: So when should I bring in a residential designer?
A: You should select and employ your residential designer as soon as possible. You need to have a basic idea of what you'd like to accomplish, but skilled questioning by the designer to help determine your hidden wants and needs is a very important part of the process. An incredible array of products is available and getting guidance from a professional saves you time and money. Questions about your site, lifestyle, budget, quality expectations, creative solutions, or suggestions for new/specialized products may even trigger your looking at your project in a whole different light. The designer takes practical everyday usage, future growth or change in use, and yes, even resale possibilities into consideration when creating your final design.
Q: What is the range of services that a residential designer typically offers?
A: It varies, but generally includes development of design options, schematic sketches, preliminary design presentation, final plans with notes and specifications, a custom lighting and electrical plan, miscellaneous details as required, interior appurtenance selections and schedules, all permit-ready.
Summary
Working with an experienced. residential designer should be a priority if your expectations are for a "one-of-a-kind" building project. He will be the first and most important member of your project team. The planning and building of any sizeable project involves large sums of money, many hours of honest communication, hundreds of decisions, and can take many months or longer to complete. The entire process should be taken very seriously but it should also be fun. After all, the designer's reputation is also always at stake.
Optional services would include, but not be limited to, color renderings and sketches, assistance in appurtenance selections and interior design, contract negotiations with your contractor, and project observation throughout the construction.
They not only design your project from scratch, but also spend time with each client to determine their specific needs, lifestyles, priorities and budgets to create a custom room, addition, renovation or entire home. Residential designers may best be described as a cross between an architect and an interior designer. The interior of your project is equally as important to them as the exterior.
Q: Why seek out a residential designer to design my project when so many contractors offer free design advice as part of their service?
A: Contractors generally tend to fill a client's requests in the most straight forward manner possible, keeping things simple to avoid confusion and spending any more time than they feel is necessary. Getting the job and building it are usually their number one priorities. By contrast, the residential designer's whole purpose is to sit down with you and work out your design puzzle in its entirety, with the emphasis on finding the best solution rather than the most obvious. A residential designer will creatively present options to you and point out their advantages. Helping you understand the complexities of the project fully before it goes to bid ( or worse, gets built) prevents misunderstandings and possible regrets about your choices.
Q: But isn't using a residential designer expensive?
A: Not at all. In addition to saving time and effort, it often saves you money. Most quality contractors are thrilled to get well-documented, professionally designed plans. They recognize that detailed plans with full specifications and interpretive detailed drawings result in a smooth-running project. A client who understands and wants exactly what he is getting saves the contractor from the potential barrage of change-orders, time and money over-runs, and bad feelings on both sides that can easily result from misunderstandings and/or ambiguities. Having accurate plans before the bidding process even starts makes it easier on the contractors AND the client. If multiple bids are obtained, everyone is bidding on EXACTLY the same materials, brands, models, quality expectations, etc.
Q: So when should I bring in a residential designer?
A: You should select and employ your residential designer as soon as possible. You need to have a basic idea of what you'd like to accomplish, but skilled questioning by the designer to help determine your hidden wants and needs is a very important part of the process. An incredible array of products is available and getting guidance from a professional saves you time and money. Questions about your site, lifestyle, budget, quality expectations, creative solutions, or suggestions for new/specialized products may even trigger your looking at your project in a whole different light. The designer takes practical everyday usage, future growth or change in use, and yes, even resale possibilities into consideration when creating your final design.
Q: What is the range of services that a residential designer typically offers?
A: It varies, but generally includes development of design options, schematic sketches, preliminary design presentation, final plans with notes and specifications, a custom lighting and electrical plan, miscellaneous details as required, interior appurtenance selections and schedules, all permit-ready.
Summary
Working with an experienced. residential designer should be a priority if your expectations are for a "one-of-a-kind" building project. He will be the first and most important member of your project team. The planning and building of any sizeable project involves large sums of money, many hours of honest communication, hundreds of decisions, and can take many months or longer to complete. The entire process should be taken very seriously but it should also be fun. After all, the designer's reputation is also always at stake.
Optional services would include, but not be limited to, color renderings and sketches, assistance in appurtenance selections and interior design, contract negotiations with your contractor, and project observation throughout the construction.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
4:28 PM
Image Designs, LLC
The term "Organic Architecture" was invented by the great architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959).
"So here I stand before you preaching organic architecture: declaring organic architecture to be the modern ideal and the teaching so much needed if we are to see the whole of life, and to now serve the whole of life, holding no traditions essential to the great TRADITION. Nor cherishing any preconceived form fixing upon us either past, present or future, but instead exalting the simple laws of common sense or of super-sense if you prefer determining form by way of the nature of materials..."Frank Lloyd Wright, An Organic Architecture, 1939
Frank Lloyd Wright used the word "organic" to describe his philosophy of architecture. It was an extension of the teachings of his mentor, Louis Sullivan, whose slogan "form follows function" became the mantra of modern architecture. Wright changed this phrase to "form and function are one," claiming Nature as the ultimate model.
Although the word "organic" is now used as a buzzword for something that occurs naturally, when connected to architecture, it takes on a new meaning. Organic Architecture is not a style of imitation, but rather, a reinterpretation of Nature's principles to build forms more natural than nature itself.
Just as in Nature, Organic Architecture involves a respect for natural materials (wood should look like wood), blending into the surroundings (a house should be of the hill, not on it), and an honest expression of the function of the building (don't make a bank look like a Greek temple).
The Philosophy of Organic architecture continues today through the work of hundreds of students of Mr. Wright.
"So here I stand before you preaching organic architecture: declaring organic architecture to be the modern ideal and the teaching so much needed if we are to see the whole of life, and to now serve the whole of life, holding no traditions essential to the great TRADITION. Nor cherishing any preconceived form fixing upon us either past, present or future, but instead exalting the simple laws of common sense or of super-sense if you prefer determining form by way of the nature of materials..."Frank Lloyd Wright, An Organic Architecture, 1939
Frank Lloyd Wright used the word "organic" to describe his philosophy of architecture. It was an extension of the teachings of his mentor, Louis Sullivan, whose slogan "form follows function" became the mantra of modern architecture. Wright changed this phrase to "form and function are one," claiming Nature as the ultimate model.
Although the word "organic" is now used as a buzzword for something that occurs naturally, when connected to architecture, it takes on a new meaning. Organic Architecture is not a style of imitation, but rather, a reinterpretation of Nature's principles to build forms more natural than nature itself.
Just as in Nature, Organic Architecture involves a respect for natural materials (wood should look like wood), blending into the surroundings (a house should be of the hill, not on it), and an honest expression of the function of the building (don't make a bank look like a Greek temple).
The Philosophy of Organic architecture continues today through the work of hundreds of students of Mr. Wright.
10:08 AM
Image Designs, LLC
1. Use ceiling fans in the summer and winter. By reversing the direction of the blades, warm air is pushed down, helping to keep rooms warm in winter.
2. Buy ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances. Compared to a 1990 model, an ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerator would save enough electricity to light a home for more than four-and-a-half months.
3. Repair leaky fixtures: one drop per second from a leaky faucet can waste as much as 10 gallons of water each week.
4. Install low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets to reduce water consumption by as much as 50 percent.
5. Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments, and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins.
6. Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, requiring no replanting and little fertilization.
7. Select solid woods harvested from sustainable-managed forests for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may be toxic and hazardous to your health.
8. Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable.
9. Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers with contents that could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.
10. Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about four percent.
2. Buy ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances. Compared to a 1990 model, an ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerator would save enough electricity to light a home for more than four-and-a-half months.
3. Repair leaky fixtures: one drop per second from a leaky faucet can waste as much as 10 gallons of water each week.
4. Install low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets to reduce water consumption by as much as 50 percent.
5. Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments, and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins.
6. Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, requiring no replanting and little fertilization.
7. Select solid woods harvested from sustainable-managed forests for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may be toxic and hazardous to your health.
8. Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable.
9. Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers with contents that could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.
10. Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about four percent.
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