East Grand Rapids architect grows 150 percent, generates three jobs

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

In 2005, East Grand Rapids architect Eric Hughes designed only five houses—three years prior, when he launched his business, Image Design, he designed 115.

Then in 2006, a new client hired him to design a ‘green’ home in Onekama and the two of them attended the first Michigan Energy Fair as research. A year later, the home became West Michigan’s first LEED Platinum home and the Fair’s showcase home for 2007 and 2008.

In the past 18 months, Image Design logged 150 percent growth and added a draftsman, an interior designer and an office administrator, bringing the small firm’s workforce to four.

“I have 13 houses in different phases of design right now, all going for LEED certification,” Hughes says, “and I’m interviewing with 10 more people to do LEED certified homes for them.”

Hughes builds the homes for about $130 per square foot, which includes the cost of renewable energy sources like wind generators, solar panels and radiant heat.

“A non-green home is about $120 to $130 per square foot, so about the same price,” he notes.

Hughes has homes underway across Michigan, including Delton, Kingsley, Traverse City and West Branch. Two homes under construction in Pentwater and Paw Paw are projected to attain LEED Platinum and LEED Gold, respectively.

To-date, he’s worked exclusively with builder Hybrid Homes, but may use other builders in the future to meet demand.

“Builders have begged me for work, but they haven’t taken the LEED for Homes class,” Hughes says. “I’ve been telling them for a couple of years to take the class. This fall, six builders I know will take it. Once they pass, I’ll be able to give them work if they’re committed to work with me.”

Source: Eric Hughes, Image Design

Deborah Johnson Wood is the development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].