Building Hope

You're Invited!  Our design, the Hasserton, will be the setting of a worthy fundraising event called Building Hope, offering an exclusive sneak peek of this beautiful waterfront home.  The event is on Wednesday, October 3 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and will include a strolling dinner, cocktails and live entertainment as you experience lake living at its' best.  Tickets are $125 per person and all proceeds will support the vital cancer and neurodegenerative disease research that the Van Andel Institute is doing.  We are proud to be a sponsor of this great event and hope you can join us in supporting Van Andel Institute's ongoing commitment to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations.

For more information on this event, please visit Van Andel Institute's website.

West Michigan home building groups team up for Fall Parade of Homes tour

The HBA Fall Parade of Homes is right around the corner and mLive.com did a nice write-up on the event, including a spotlight image of one of our parade homes on Silver Lake in Rockford, the Hasserton.  Thank you mLive!

Stay tuned next week for a preview of our designs in the Fall Parade this year!

West Michigan home building groups team up for Fall Parade of Homes tour

Published: Thursday, September 20, 2012, 3:15 PM     Updated: Thursday, September 20, 2012, 5:29 PM

 By Jim Harger | jharger@mlive.com 
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Courtesy renderingThis $1 million-plus home on Silver Lake near Rockford is one of 27 new homes featured on the Fall Tour of Homes. Designed by Visbeen Associates and Jeffrey Roberts, this home is being built by Scott Christopher Homes.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Two West Michigan home building groups announced Thursday they will display 27 new homes, two remodeled homes and two “conceptual” homes on their Fall Parade of Homes this year.

The parade, which will run from Oct. 5 through Oct. 20, will feature homes in 17 different communities, including Ada, Algoma, Allendale, Alto, Blendon Twp., Byron Center, Fennville, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Hudsonville, Lowell, Nunica, and Rockford.

The annual Fall Parade of Homes is being presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids, the Lakeshore Homebuilders Association and Lake Michigan Credit Union. It's a new collaboration between the homebuilders.

“We are very excited with the new partnership between the two associations," said Emily Seibert, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids. "We have homes all around West Michigan, from lakefront properties to downtown Grand Rapids”

The parade will feature residences in 17 different communities and prices of the houses will range from $100,000 to more than $2 million. The entries will feature the latest trends in building styles, green practices, custom details, unique floor coverings, wall treatments, quality products, and landscaping.

New homes will be open for touring on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Remodeled homes will be open for touring on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets for the parade are available for $10 in advance when purchased at a Lake Michigan Credit Union branch. Tickets can be purchased online for $11 or for $12 when purchased at a parade home. Children 12 and under are free.

Ticket purchases will include the official Parade Guide with maps, a coupon for five dollars in gas from Meijer Inc. and admission to tour any home in the Kalamazoo Parade of Homes. Tickets purchased online or at Lake Michigan Credit Unions will also receive 20 percent off dining at select Gilmore Collection restaurants.

Standale Interiors, radio station Star 105.7-FM and the home builders also are sponsoring VIP bus tours on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17.

For more information on the Parade of Homes, contact the HBAGGR at (616) 281-2021, or view the Parade online at www.ParadeOfHomesMi.com. 
E-mail Jim Harger: jharger@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JHHarger

Are Architects Still Worth It?

There is a very interesting discussion happening on Freakonomics' website about whether or not architects are economically valuable to the housing industry.

Well, I'm sure you know what our answer would be - of course we are worth it!  We talk to potential clients every day about the value of our services.  We strive to provide efficient floor plans, aesthetically pleasing designs and, most importantly, a home that works for exactly how our clients live.  We can save clients the cost of our architectural services just by eliminating inefficient space in a floor plan that doesn't work how the homeowner needs it to.  A few years ago, we had an ad slogan that read "you can't afford not to hire us."  When you put the pen to paper, if we can save you 500 square feet of wasted space, that could save you anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 in construction costs.

So to answer Marc Krawitz' question - are architects still worth it?  Yes.

[To view the full discussion on Freakonomics and join the conversation, click here.  There are some great answers provided by members of the industry]

My Old Kentucky Home(s & Gardens)...

Our designs are appearing in publications around the country now, the most recent of which being our design of the Pinehurst's master bathroom featured in Kentucky Homes & Gardens Magazine's "Showered in Luxury" piece.  According to the article, "an inspired shower design can help to rejuvenate both mind and body, providing a place for daily renewal and creating a spa-like experience in the home."  Well said!

For ease of reading, click here to view the full article on our website.

A little inspiration from Earl Young

Today's design inspiration comes from a Northern Michigan architect who was actually never a licensed architect.  Born a Michigander, Earl Young grew up in Charlesvoix and was interested in creative disciplines from an early age.  He was interested in photography, taught himself photofinishing, was editor of his school newspaper and went on to complete one year of schooling from the University of Michigan's School of Architecture, however he dropped out after the first year and joined the family insurance business.  Young soon expanded into realty, but continued studying architecture and design on his own.  He was never a registered architect, but he practiced design and completed over 30 projects during his career.  The homes he designed are commonly referred to as mushroom, Hobbit or gnome homes with the doors, windows and roof lines integrating curved lines.  He was greatly influenced by Storybook style architecture, often incorporating cartoonish, squatty chimneys that appear to be dripping with gingerbread frosting.

Here are a few of Young's notable designs....

Image Source: www.mynorth.com

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/punktoad/6262711156/in/photostream/


This photo of Mushroom House is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Image Source: http://www.interestingideas.com/roadside/charlevoix/index.html

Image Source: http://www.interestingideas.com/roadside/charlevoix/index.html

Image Source: http://www.interestingideas.com/roadside/charlevoix/index.html

Image Source: http://www.interestingideas.com/roadside/charlevoix/index.html

Here are a couple fun Visbeen Architects' designs that were inspired by Young's work...

The Shelbourne

A concept we did for a fundraiser stage cottage

Historic Architectural Tour of Wilmington, NC

Last month, Wayne was in Wilmington, North Carolina for the American Institute of Building Design's (AIBD) National Convention.  As part of the convention, the AIBD gave a historic architectural tour of The Port City and we thought we would share a few highlights from it.

Savage-Bacon House.  An Italianate style house built about 1850 for Henry Russell Savage, native of Connecticut, Cashier of Bank of Cape Fear.  It was a residence of the Bacon family from 1881 to 1891.  Henry Bacon was engineer of The Rocks, the construction that closed New Inlet.  The Italianate style aspects were obscured by the Neoclassical Revival style remodeling of 1909 during the ownership of Percy Reece Albright, Vice-President of operations, Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.  The oak stair is particularly robust and effusive.

Image Source: http://www.rosehill.com/about-us.html

Bellamy Mansion.  Designed by architect James F. Post, the Bellamy Mansion is one of North Carolina's most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture built on the eve of the Civil War by free and enslaved black artisans, for John Dillard Bellamy physician, planter and business leader; and his wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss and their nine children. After the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now the house is a museum that focuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action.

Donald MacRae House.  A Shingle Style house designed by James Brite and Henry Bacon.  The original plans survive.  A former Wilmington resident, Bacon was the architect of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC for which he won the AIA Gold Medal in 1924.  The house was built for Capt. Donald V. MacRae, Spanish-American War veteran and president-treasurer of Wilmington Cotton Mills; and wife, Monimia Cary Davis.  The family sold it in 1955 to St. James Parish which uses it as offices and just completed a half-million dollar restoration and rehabilitation.

Image Source: http://ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu/people/P000028

John A. Taylor House.  A Greek Revival style house designed by Benjamin Gardner, builder-architect, in 1847.  Its marble-facing, and entrance set in antis, and belvedere set between the four interior chimneys, are unique in Wilmington.  It was built for John A. Taylor, native of New York, shipping and railroad industrialist, civic leader; and wife, Catherine M. Harriss.  From 1893 to 1951 the building served as an armory for the Wilmington Light Infantry.  The WLI gave it to the city of Wilmington for use as the public library. The library occupied the building from 1956 to 1981.  The house is owned by First Baptist Church which uses it as offices.  The interior is distinguished by elaborately carved doors and window surrounds; the design probably came from a pattern book.

Image Source: http://ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu/people/P000063

Thalian Hall.  Antebellum City Hall/Thalian Hall was completed in 1858.  The complex combined civic and cultural use.  The Hall forms the east wing of Wilmington's magnificent Classical Revivial City Hall with its colossal order, cast iron Corinthian columns and window hoods that testify to the wonders of the machine age in which it was constructed.  As one of the most significant theatres in the US, it has been in continuous use since it opened.  It is the only surviving design of nationally recognized theater architect, John M. Trimble of New York.  The elaborate interior evidences some original appointments and some early twentieth century renovations, which prodiced the ornate proscenium arch.  Virtually every great national performer and celebrity performed on its stage during its first 75 years and now serves as the center for the civic and cultural life of Wilmington.

Image Source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:City_Hall-Thalian_Hall_(Wilmington,_NC).JPG

Fashion's Night Out

 
Tonight, the newly opened AK Rikks will be hosting their Grand Opening and Fashion's Night Out.  So if you haven't stopped by this retail gem yet, tonight is the night!  Fashion's Night Out is one of fashion's most iconic extravaganzas celebrated in over 18 countries and 4,500 US cities nationwide.  This year's bash is themed "A Night of Mad Fashion," and will include specialty drinks, deals and live mannequins, among other things, at the 60+ retail locations that are participating in Grand Rapids.  Trolleys will be providing door to door service, so grab your friends and head out on the town from 6:00pm-10:00pm!  Just don't forget to start or end your evening at AK Rikks to check out their "dark carnival," the latest fall fashions, and innovations in the retail design of this amazing space!

For more details, check out AK Rikk's facebook page, or Fashion's Night Out's website or facebook page.

Architectural Tutorial: Boathouses

On this Labor Day, we have water on the brain.  Waterfront living, boating, the beach, sandcastles, sunsets - all those summer experiences most of us are trying to squeeze in to this final weekend of the season.  Why not turn that thought into an opportunity for learning!  Okay, I know school doesn't officially start until tomorrow, but I promise, there won't be a quiz at the end.

I'm sure you are all familiar with the variety of residences Visbeen Architects has designed over the years and if you've been following this blog, you have seen that we have customized many of those homes to fit a plethora of homeowner needs - pets, work, pools, wine and other hobbies galore.  One type of architecture specialized around a particular homeowner hobby centered around waterfront living is the boathouse.  For hundreds of years, water lovers from coast to coast dream of cover, quiet and calm for their families and their watercrafts, and the boathouse can be a perfect marriage of the two.  Three general categories of boathouse designs include canopies, sheds and residential boathouses (our personal favorite).  Canopies are a more open home for watercrafts, often consisting of just a peaked roof with columns.  Sheds can be built on shorelines, but often don't include living quarters within.  They are more of a "garage" for boats and water toys.  Residential boathouses are exactly as they sound - structures that have living space as well as slips for watercrafts.

Here are a few fun boathouses designs by Visbeen Architects....

 This is a conceptual design for a boathouse we did for Indian Trail Club in New Jersey

I'm sure you recognize this one - this is our Tupper Camp design complete with a lower level boat house.  For more details check out our posts on Michigan Blue Magazine and Cabin Life's publication of this design.

As part of the master planning we did for Ravenswood Resort on White Lake, we designed a boathouse for the residents.

Here is a fun conceptual design we did of a boathouse with watercraft storage access from both the water and the street.



Sources:
http://realestate.msn.com/10-bodacious-boathouses
http://www.home-plans-advisor.com/boat-house-plans.html