Zachary Verhulst is walking in his father’s footsteps.

His father was a small business owner and Verhulst has replicated that by creating a business of his own. Verhulst is the founder and managing principal of Pure Architects, an architectural firm in Grand Rapids.

“I made a decision to embark on a journey to build a practice that is reflective of a belief that design can enhance the spirit of a place and create a sense of belonging for those that experience it,” he said. “Pure Architects was born out of the idea that good design is rooted in empathy, and we design for people knowing that it requires an ability to deeply understand another person.”