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Green Building News

A New Prefab Rollout from Michelle Kaufmann

The Bay Area-based architect announces a line of modular single-family homes designed to provide net-zero-energy performance

This two-story house, the Ridge0, is from the Zero series of prefab homes designed by Michelle Kaufmann Studio and offered by Design 101 Studio. The house features three bedrooms, two baths and about 2,600 sq. ft. of space. Four modules are required for its construction.
Image Credit: Michelle Kaufmann Studio
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This two-story house, the Ridge0, is from the Zero series of prefab homes designed by Michelle Kaufmann Studio and offered by Design 101 Studio. The house features three bedrooms, two baths and about 2,600 sq. ft. of space. Four modules are required for its construction.
Image Credit: Michelle Kaufmann Studio
The Ridge0’s standing-seam metal roof allows solar panels to be clipped onto the roof without penetrating the metal. One design goal was to create a spacious feeling in Zero series offerings such as the Ridge0, whose second floor includes flex space for use as an office, playroom, or bunkroom. Another Zero series design, the Vista0, comes in a range of sizes and configurations, from two modules to four, with modules combined into a single building or separated by outdoor space. A kitchen/living room design for the Vistaa0 series. Some Vista0 configurations offer separate space that can be used as a work studio, rental apartment, or granny unit. A Vista0 configuration showing trellis-mounted solar panels. A design from the Zero series' Contours0 line, which is scheduled to be unveiled on August 17. Another configuration in the Contours0 line.

As she made clear last fall when she sold the assets of her firm mkDesigns to prefab specialist Blu Homes, Michelle Kaufmann wasn’t done with green modular construction. The architect and green-construction advocate has continued designing single-family homes, eco-resorts, and multifamily communities for a range of clients. Most of the projects incorporate modular construction.

And this week, Michelle Kaufmann Studio announced a line of homes, called the Zero series, that is based entirely on prefab construction. In addition to delivering on energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthy indoor environments, Kaufmann says, Zero series homes aim to “blur the boundary between the interior and exterior, ‘borrowing’ space from the outdoors, and using the strategy of designing big rather than building big.” The homes, in fact, are not big. In various configurations, a Zero series house may be as small as 422 sq. ft. or as large 2,643 sq. ft., with prices beginning at $66,500.

The meaning of Zero

The homes also are designed to perform to the net-zero-energy standard through a combination of thorough insulation and airtightness and the use of renewable-energy systems, particularly solar power. Modules for the homes, which are being offered through Studio 101 Design, of San Rafael, California, will be built by Blazer Industries, an Aumsville, Oregon, company that specializes in a variety of panel and modular technologies.

Two basic Zero series configurations – Ridge0 and Vista0 – are currently available. A third, Contours0, is scheduled to be unveiled on August 17. Kaufmann says Zero series homes are designed to be LEED certified, although the firm will work with clients who want to obtain other green homebuilding certifications.

2 Comments

  1. Kevin Dickson, MSME | | #1

    Finally bored with prefab after 7 years of waiting
    It's hard to believe that anyone is excited about green, modern, affordable prefab anymore. Hundreds of smart folks have gotten nowhere with the concept. The pitfalls are well summarized at http://www.jetsongreen.com/2008/09/prefab-is-not-t.html

  2. Kevin Dickson, MSME | | #2

    Studio 101 being sued
    Last year MKD Designs was purchased by Blu Homes.

    In an interesting twist, Blu Homes is now suing Michelle Kaufmann.
    http://www.rfcexpress.com/lawsuit.asp?id=62591

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