Initial results from an analysis of LEED Platinum homes certified by the Alliance shows projects located throughout the Midwest use half as much energy as the typical baseline home.
Performance of LEED Platinum homes vs Baseline homes
This homes siding is a hand hewn cedar log siding from Homestead Timbers with Anderson windows. The project will
be topped off with a burgundy metal standing seam roof. The interior will be using a lot of recycled content, including
cabinets for the wet bar and laundry room. Vanity tops for two bathrooms various columns and the mantel will come from tree’s at building site. This home will sit on the shores of Pentwater Lake with two spring feed creeks that flow into it. The creeks are lined with Watercress, which is where the project gets its name. View Project Profile
Logix ICF Foundation, SIP’s Panel Construction, Michigan White
Cedar Log siding & trim, Low-E argon gas filled Andersen
Windows Barrier free/Lifetime Design, Soy based insulation,
Stained Concrete Floors,Bamboo flooring,FSC Certified Kitchen
Cabinets,Recycled glass counter tops by Vetrazzo, Programmable
thermostats, Mechanical ventilation Radon venting,
Dual flush toilets by Toto,Zero VOC (volatile organic compounds)
paint High efficiency lighting fixtures
The Nautilus House sprung from a need to fix a leaky roof, and a vision for energy and water independence on a beautiful wooded building site. Form follows function in this building designed to capture sunlight, water, and air currents. Like a
nautilus, it unfolds in an organic shape spiraling upward and outward on the original foundation, with existing materials and spaces re-inventing themselves within and around the structure. The owner, architect and builder worked together to
create a unique vision of home that will become Michigan’s second LEED Platinum residential remodel.
View/Download Complete Project Profile Here
All water from house collected and re-used. 600 gallon tank for a exterior shower on one side, and a 400 gallon recycled grain hopper on the other side. The shower can also be used to water plants, as can the grain 
hopper, and both overflow to rain gardens on the lot. The house recycles the heated air radiantly through an advanced duct system Energy Recovery Ventilator. The form and openness of the home also take advantage of another product of solar energy – wind – to create convective currents that cool the home passively. A 4 kW Solar Photovoltaic’s system with Sharp fixed panels and a Sunny Boy inverter.
Designed by Image Design LLC and constructed by Hybrid Homes LLC, both of Western Michigan, the home is built with insulated concrete forms and uses Andersen Windows’ 400 series to complete its extremely air tight, energy efficient shell. A solar hot water system and wind generator help the home conserve and produce its own energy. Green building products used in the home include finger jointed studs, CertainTeed cement board siding with fly-ash added to it, and solar reflective asphalt shingles.
This home is one of 37 Michigan projects that have been certified under the LEED for Homes program. It is the first Platinum level home certified in West Michigan and only the 23rd in the nation.
The home was built by Adam Bearup of Hybrid Homes, LLC (Muskegon) who is well known throughout the State for his commitment in building LEED Homes and designed by Eric Hughes of Image Design, LLC (East Grand Rapids) who is recognized for specializing in sustainable residential design. For more information please visit
www.wmhybrid.com or www.imagedesignllc.blogspot.com
Located in Onekama, Michigan, just minutes north of Manistee ‐ 3047 Vanessa’s Way incorporates the following features:
• Low‐E argon gas filled Andersen Windows
• CertainTeed cement board siding
• High efficiency lighting fixtures
• Compact fluorescent bulbs
• ICF construction
• Soy based insulation
• Passive solar design
• Solar Hot water
• Radiant floor heat
• Wind generation
• Programmable thermostats
• Mechanical ventilation
• Zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint
• Bamboo and cork flooring
• Radon venting
• Barrier free/Lifetime Design
• Dual flush TOTO toilets
• Energy Star appliances
