Michelle Kaufmann Studio

The Website of Architect Michelle Kaufmann
  • categories
         
       
    • General Information
    • Portfolio
      • Current Projects
      • Past Projects
    • green living
      • Eco Principles
      • Green Projects
      • Lifestyle
    • Communities
      • AriaDenver
      • Big Sur Monastery
      • california townhouse homes
    • Eco Resorts
    • Prefab Construction
    • events
    • video
    • press
  • About
       
    • Contact
    • about me
    • Press contact
    • Awards
Home > Portfolio > 'Current Projects'

Current Projects

Custom Northern California Home

Custom Northern California Home

Jan 04, 2012 | Discuss

This home in Northern California was designed to collaborate with the surrounding landscape. Through
strategically placed glass windows and doors one feels like they are outdoors wherever they are, the spaces are washed with natural light, while breezes are used to help keep the house cool. Sustainable materials and systems are used throughout including FSC certified [...]

fluid spaces

fluid spaces

Jan 03, 2012 | 14 Comments

I am happy to share these photos of a recent project we designed in northern California. I designed the home with Studio 101 Designs and it was built using modular construction by Blazer Industries. The home was set during a 2-day period from 2 modules and then finished (or “buttoned up”) after that.
This [...]

Piedmont Residence

Piedmont Residence

Apr 21, 2011 | Discuss

Piedmont Residence Blog
Project Team
Client: Bloemker Family
Architecture: Michelle Kaufmann and Studio 101 Designs
Builder: McCutcheon Construction
Systems / MEP: Monterey Energy Group
Structural: Yu Strandberg
Landscaping: Shades of Green / Gardeners Guild
Rainwater / Greywater: Dig Cooperative
LEED®: Architectural Energy Corporation
Audio-Visual: Engineered Environments


Custom Home - Beach House 1

Custom Home – Beach House 1

May 25, 2010 | 4 Comments

We are getting ready to start construction on this beach house. Through the use of smart design that maximizes breezes, implements proper shading, and PV solar panels, this is designed to create as much energy as it needs (net zero energy).
This is home for a big family.  Although the entire family won’t always be there. [...]

Custom Modular Home - home as theatre

Custom Modular Home – home as theatre

May 23, 2010 | Discuss

I recently had dinner with my friends Jodi and Ben in their absolutely stunning home. I designed their home with them and MKD and it was completed in the past year. While most of it was built in a factory as 5 modules plus 2 roof modules, it was custom designed specifically to their site, [...]

modest materiality

modest materiality

May 21, 2010 | 7 Comments

This recently completed residential care building for The New Camaldoli Hermitage (the coolest monks I have ever met) in Big Sur is a great example of the use of modest eco-materials used in elegant ways. The monks of The New Camalodoli Hermitage have made a life commitment to stay at the monastery and their cells [...]


A new type of prefab

A new type of prefab

May 19, 2010 | Discuss

It continues to amaze me that some people still think that the best way to build a home is on site. It’s like asking your car to be built in your driveway. Now that we have the ability to build a home in a controlled factory environment, stick built just doesn’t make sense anymore. [...]

sisters of sustainability project

sisters of sustainability project

May 17, 2010 | Discuss

PROJECT INFORMATION
COMPLETED PHOTOS
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
NEXT PHASE: ARIA DENVER

Custom Home - LEED Platinum home in Montecito

Custom Home – LEED Platinum home in Montecito

Mar 03, 2010 | 2 Comments

I am super excited to hear that construction has begun (apparently the foundation is almost complete) on a house in Montecito. The design has been a collaboration between John Maienza (architect and designer), Gregg Wilson (builder extraordinaire), myself, and a fabulous planning, design, engineering and architectural team. John and Gregg have created a number of [...]


Presidio Habitats Project

Presidio Habitats Project

Mar 02, 2010 | 1 Comment

With the beginning of spring, the hummingbirds are starting to come out. Kevin has a hummingbird feeder outside of our bedroom and we love watching them fly, flutter and hover. They are remarkable creatures.  So when I was asked to submit a design for For-Site’s Presidio Habitats Project and was given a list of animals [...]

A very special group of monks

A very special group of monks

Sep 17, 2009 | 1 Comment

Seeing these photos of the modules successfully being shipped and set to the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, CA couldn’t make me more happy (and also extremely thankful). The monks at the Hermitage are honestly some of the most special people I have ever met and the site of their monastery is nothing short [...]

Eco Principles


EcoPrinciple One: Thoughtful Design

EcoPrinciple One: Thoughtful Design

Feb 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

In our practice at Michelle Kaufmann Studio, “thoughtful design” means designing to use less, collaborating with the outdoors, using techonology to improve quality while reducing quantity, and designing for longevity, flexibility and a joyful living environment. Homes should be built to human scale, using only what is needed, but remaining open and airy. High [...]

More

  • EcoPrinciple Two: Efficient Materials
  • EcoPrinciple Three: Energy Conservation
  • EcoPrinciple Four: Water Efficiency
  • EcoPrinciple Five: Healthy Spaces
  • EcoPrinciple Six: Systems Built

blog


office art

office art

Feb 20, 2012 | Discuss

Reading today’s Apartment Therapy post on artwork for the office, I couldn’t help but look up to appreciate the piece on my office wall. It is by one of my very favorite artists, Miya Ando. She makes magic with her steel and aluminum canvases. She “paints” through the use of heat, patinas and burnishing. The [...]

More

  • drawing with shadows
  • ariaDenver
  • SF Green Film Festival
  • furry models
  • architectural landscape

Social Scene

The Commons

architecture aria denver awards books conservation custom home design eco-confessions eco-principles eco-resort eco-tourism eco materials energy energy efficiency events exhibit furniture green green communities green it yourself green prefab health healthy environment home designs hospitality interview low/no VOC materials power prefab press reLEED salon series settings side breeze smart design smart home solar speaker TED ted video video videos water water conservation

Search MK

Sections

  • General Information
  • Portfolio
    • Current Projects
    • Past Projects
  • green living
    • Eco Principles
    • Green Projects
    • Lifestyle
  • Communities
    • AriaDenver
    • Big Sur Monastery
    • california townhouse homes
  • Eco Resorts
  • Prefab Construction
  • blog
  • books+writings
  • events
  • Uncategorized
  • video
  • press
    • buzz

Twitter Feed

  • Drinking up today's summer-like temps by working out on the deck. http://t.co/2IVTBRucNEXT15 hours ago
  • NextGen education - Udacity goes live! http://t.co/VaLqgNXKNEXT2 days ago
  • Drawing with shadows. http://t.co/lPqhAYocNEXT3 days ago

Credits

Design by YoungNomadBrand
Photos by John Swain Photography
Video and Photos by Jim Thompson / Destination Productions
Photos of MSI by JB Spector / Museum of Science + Industry
Subscribe to entries
Subscribe to comments
All content © 2012 by Michelle Kaufmann Studio