First Look: mkSolaire
It was a gray and rainy day in Chicago yesterday, but according to, mkSolaire, the real-time energy monitor Michelle Kaufmann's newest prefab was still producing more energy than it used. And that was with a small army of media types flipping switches, charging devices, plugging in cameras and taping TV segments.
Kaufmann herself was casually barefoot during the preview, presumably not to mess up the new floor (we all wore paper booties) but it's easy to believe that she's just that comfortable in her homes. By the end of the interview, I was barefoot too.
The mkSolaire marks Kaufmann's entry into urban neighborhoods. Designed to fit into a standard 25 ft. wide city lot, the home is seven modules – five for 2500 square foot home and two for the garage, which is designed for flexible future use such as conversion to a guest house when the car is abandoned for good.
The home is full of Kaufmann's signature elements: sustainable materials, solar power, energy efficient appliances, green roofs, dual flush toilets, lots of light and a connection to the outside. Even when the outside is pissing down rain.
Built on the grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry for the institution's 75th anniversary, mkSolaire will be open to the public through January 4, 2009.
Kaufmann herself was casually barefoot during the preview, presumably not to mess up the new floor (we all wore paper booties) but it's easy to believe that she's just that comfortable in her homes. By the end of the interview, I was barefoot too.
The mkSolaire marks Kaufmann's entry into urban neighborhoods. Designed to fit into a standard 25 ft. wide city lot, the home is seven modules – five for 2500 square foot home and two for the garage, which is designed for flexible future use such as conversion to a guest house when the car is abandoned for good.
The home is full of Kaufmann's signature elements: sustainable materials, solar power, energy efficient appliances, green roofs, dual flush toilets, lots of light and a connection to the outside. Even when the outside is pissing down rain.
Built on the grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry for the institution's 75th anniversary, mkSolaire will be open to the public through January 4, 2009.
Posted by: Laura Heller on May 8, 08 at 09:01 AM PDT
great shots of the opening ...
Posted by Preston on 05/08/08 08:09PM PDT
Gotta get on a flight to Chicago to check this thing out!
Posted by Tommy on 05/08/08 03:35PM PDT
Go MKD
Posted by on 05/08/08 12:58PM PDT
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