Michelle Kaufmann releases new eco-friendly prefab home »

Posted by: Peter 1 year, 11 months ago

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Michelle Kaufmann, who has become the defacto queen of prefab architecture with her Glidehome and Breezehome, has just released a new eco-friendly prefab home design called the MkSolaire

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Comments: 9

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dtress1d
Oct. 3, 2006, 8:33 a.m.
With the inset over the door, it reminded me of the old monster show home where they had to allow for "Herman's" head to get through the door way!
The pictures of the exterior make me wonder if they will hold up in a "high wind", yet alone a hurricane.
However, they are different and would generate conversation!
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bonaroo
Oct. 3, 2006, 9:35 a.m.
The idea of "clean simple living" appeals to me. So does the concept of not having an electric utility bill. These prefab houses, I think are perfectly suited to California, where the winters are fairly mild and the solar options are a benifit. It would be different where I live in Chicagoland, where the winters are cold and overcast. Still, I would like to see the concept explored for this area as well.
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searchbeam
Oct. 3, 2006, 1:34 p.m.
Way to go Michelle!
Your concept of a living space is really a breath of fresh air - just like the fresh air that seems to flow through the design of your house.
You are not just challenging the conventional wisdom about homes - you are bringing some solid logic into the thinking. Something that will make people think about what really matters when it comes to sharing this planet that we live in.
I think Michelle's concept can be easily scaled to fit the Northern and Northeastern climate.
Perhaps using geothermal heating/cooling system would be a logical addition to this concept.
I sure hope she will articulate her philosophy in a book - if she has not already done so!
I am addicted to this concept, and I am sure there are countless others who are, too!
So, Michelle, keep our curiosity going.
I would love to read your books/articles.
By the way, thank you for this story.
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rusdone
Oct. 3, 2006, 5:02 p.m.
She must have designed it with a MAC!
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wilbhi2
Oct. 4, 2006, 11 a.m.
Some great concepts are discussed here.
While concerns are expressed about the design working effectively in the North and East -it does with some modifications.
Solar energy is great, but the "Sun" days in the northern climate does not match that of southern California and like territories. It can be supplimented with systems like geothermal heating/cooling systems and Wind.
The foam insulation is excellant and works great in almost any condition. It's properties surpass batt insulation and high density styrafoam ( and provides back up when the water proofing fails)
The ventilation concepts work in all climates, except, that in a cold climate you really don't want high ceilings. If you do, you can recirculate the heat at the ceiling with low speed fans to push the ceiling air back down - or install a mechanical recirculating system. There is a passive way to do this, but it is a bit complicated.
Now, if you could only do this with multi-story office buildings.
Thank you
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KMEE
Oct. 4, 2006, 11:02 p.m.
Someone has to be making a fortune on these designs. Minimalistic boxes are easy, and inexpensive to build. Why the price of $200 - $250 per square foot. A 3,000 square foot home would cost $600 - $750K plus land.
Oh well, to each their own.
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wilbhi2
Oct. 4, 2006, 11:57 p.m.
Minimalist boxes are not easy to design with any intelligence.
Or is the comment something akin to looking at a Rauschenberg and saying: "phhhttt, I used to do that in kindergarden"
$200 to $250 per square foot is not an absurd price - it's actually pretty reasonable for a one-off. If you were talking major development - say 100 to 150 units, you could expect the unit price to fall dramtically but a private developer would still be charging $350 to $400 per square foot minimum.
If these types of house were mass produced, the prices would fall in time. Then again you would be left with a catalouge of design options (chinese menu) as opposed to the individual service MKD provides.
For the record, I do not represent MKD nor do I have any association with her firm. I have on the other hand spent a life time doing what she is presenting, so I understand it completely.