Michelle Kaufmann facts for kids
Michelle Kaufmann is an American architect and designer. She is known for creating "green homes" that are built using prefabricated parts. This means parts of the homes are made in a factory and then put together on site. In 2002, Michelle started her own company, Michelle Kaufmann Designs. This company focused on building eco-friendly homes for single families and larger groups. After closing this company in 2009, she began a new design firm called Michelle Kaufmann Studio. She also helped start Flux.io, a company that makes special software for designing buildings.
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About Michelle Kaufmann
Michelle Kaufmann grew up in Iowa. She studied at Iowa State University and later earned her Masters degree from Princeton University. Before starting her own company, she worked with famous architects like Frank O. Gehry and Michael Graves.
Later, Michelle moved to Northern California. There, she started Michelle Kaufmann Designs. She often gives talks and lectures about her work. She has also taught at universities like Iowa State University and Woodbury University.
Today, Michelle lives in California with her husband and their two dogs. They live in a home she designed herself, called the Glidehouse.
Cool Home Projects
Michelle Kaufmann has designed many interesting and eco-friendly homes. Here are some of her most famous projects:
The Glidehouse
The very first Glidehouse was designed by Michelle and her husband, Kevin Cullen, in 2004. This house was so special that a full-size copy was built for the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. It was part of an exhibit called "The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design" from 2006 to 2007. The design of the Glidehouse was inspired by Japanese homes, as well as the work of designers like Eichler and Eames. It also took ideas from the farm buildings Michelle saw growing up in Iowa.
The Sunset Breezehouse
In 2005, Michelle Kaufmann worked with Sunset magazine to design the first Sunset Breezehouse. This project combined her green design ideas with the magazine's focus on Western living.
The MKLotus
The MKLotus was first shown in front of San Francisco's City Hall in 2007. It was part of a big event called the West Coast Green conference, which focused on sustainable building. The MKLotus is one of her smaller home designs. It has an open layout and includes a "front wrap-around deck and enclosed meditation garden." It's meant to be a vacation home or a small main home. Like her other designs, it features sleek, geometric shapes.
The MKSolaire
The MKSolaire was displayed at the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) from 2008 to 2009. It was part of a show called "The Smart Home: Green and Wired." The Solaire was designed for people who want a home that is easy to take care of and very energy efficient. It's a beautiful and practical living space.
Awards and Special Recognition
Michelle Kaufmann has received many awards for her amazing work in green architecture:
- In 2007, Sierra magazine, published by the Sierra Club, called her the "Henry Ford of green homes." This means she made green homes more accessible and popular, much like Henry Ford did for cars.
- Her homes have been shown in many museums. These include the National Building Museum, the Vancouver Art Center, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. Her MKSolaire was also featured in the "Smart Home: Green and Wired" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago).
- She won the "Top Firm Award 2008" from Residential Architect magazine.
- She received the "Innovations Award 2008" from Social Venture Network.
- In 2009, the National Association of Home Builders named her "Advocate of the Year."
Books by Michelle Kaufmann
Michelle Kaufmann has also written a book about her work:
- Prefab Green (published by Gibbs Smith, ISBN: 978-1-4236-0497-6)
