Architecture feature

2009 CH+D AWARD FOR

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Michelle Kaufmann’s mkSolaire is designed to fit a standard 25foot-wide city lot and features FSC-certified cedar siding and a NanaWall that floods the house with natural light.

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MICHELLE KAUFMANN

MICHELLE KAUFMANN DESIGNS, OAKLAND MKSOLAIRE

JOHN SWAIN

M CHDMAG.COM

ore than a century ago, Chicago hosted the 1893 World’s Fair, with 200 newly constructed Beaux-Arts buildings that stretched across 630 acres and had a lasting effect on architecture and design. The city remains fertile ground for cutting-edge architecture, making it the perfect locale to debut architect and prefab guru Michelle Kaufmann’s mkSolaire, which has been on display at the city’s Museum of Science and Industry for the past six months.

“It’s important that someone can walk into the house and experience what green design is: They can feel the countertops made with recycled paper and see how light-filled the space is,” says Kaufmann, a sustain- Michelle Kaufmann ability expert who has showcased many of her prefab home designs in public locations, including the mkLotus in front of San Francisco’s City Hall in September 2007.

The mkSolaire is built with the nowstandard elements of green design including FSC-certified wood, radiant heating, energyefficient appliances, no-VOC paint. “We try to pack in as many sustainable solutions as possible and hope that people will walk away inspired,” says Kaufmann.

Designing for an urban environment, Kaufmann gave the house a narrow footprint, building up rather than out to fit within the confines of an urban infill lot. The home is designed to address a typical problem of city rowhouses— lack of light. The three-story home is built around a central stairwell lit by clerestory windows, JAN/FEB 2009 CALIFORNIA HOME+DESIGN

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2009 CH+D AWARD FOR

JOHN SWAIN

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

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“It’s no longer a question of if you live green, but how and when. We’re making it easy to find a solution.” see exactly where the energy is expended and limiting the need for electrical lights during The kitchen has PaperStone countertops, energy-efficient the day. The stairwell naturally cools the intehow much you are consuming.” appliances and FSC-certified rior spaces by pulling hot air from lower levels The mkSolaire is Kaufmann’s sixth in a maple cabinetry. The main living line of seven prefab homes. Each model, from out through windows above. “Some people areas are bright and spacious, still believe green is hard to achieve—they a modern ranch house to a spacious loft, is with 18-foot ceilings that think it means recycled-tire walls and unpreoptimized for a different living environment. are open to the loft above. dictable hot showers,” says Kaufmann. “That Houses can be customized to meet their ultiidea is completely outdated. We are making green accessible for mate sustainability potential, with add-ons ranging from everyone, while showing that it can be beautiful and modern.” photovoltaic panels, green roofs, rainwater catchment sys“For example, everyone should have an energy monitor tems and triple-paned glass. “What we’re discovering is that in their home,” says Kaufmann, who believes demystifying it’s no longer a question of if you live green, but how and when. sustainable design is the key to progress. “That way, you can We’re making it easy to find a solution.” —Mikhael Romain CHDMAG.COM

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