CHICAGO, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Michelle Kaufmann, award-winning architect and green living expert focused on thoughtful, sustainable design, opens the doors to the first mkSolaire(TM) home ever built as part of the original Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) exhibit Smart Home: Green + Wired, Powered by ComEd and Warmed by Peoples Gas. The exhibit will feature a fully functioning version of the mkSolaire, the latest prefabricated, modular home configuration from Michelle Kaufmann Designs (MKD). With the help of key partner Wired magazine, the home will incorporate "smart" technologies, with a focus on energy efficiency, making greener choices and homeowner awareness. Visitors to the 2,500 sq. ft. home, will have the opportunity to learn about the future of innovative, environmentally focused architectural designs and lifestyle solutions.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to introduce the mkSolaire at one of my favorite museums in one of the most architecturally progressive cities in the country," said Michelle Kaufmann (AIA, LEED(R) AP). "The Smart Home is an educational experience that shows visitors, adults and children alike, that an eco-friendly lifestyle is not only good for the environment, but also good for you."

"To celebrate the Museum's 75th anniversary, we wanted to create a fully functioning home on the Museum's property that explored the promises of green building and technology while honoring the past," said Anne Rashford, director of temporary exhibits and events for MSI. "We brought together a world-class team to bring our vision to life. We chose Michelle to design the Smart Home because of her exceptional talent and tireless commitment to building and living green."

Michelle Kaufmann Designs' mkSolaire was designed specifically for healthy living within an urban environment. The warm, lofty, light-filled interior spaces are an example of Michelle's commitment to "designing big vs. building big." For more information on the mkSolaire visit http://www.mksolaire.com.

Revolutionary Building Techniques

Construction of the Smart Home began in December 2007 with the groundbreaking and laying of the foundation at MSI. Concurrently, the home's various modules were constructed by All American Homes at the company's factory in Decatur, Indiana. Within the factory the home's entire infrastructure was built before being transported and set on the completed foundation located on the East side of the Museum. Once the home was set, the University of Illinois Extension partnered with the team to develop the home's native site landscape.

MKD employs prefabricated, modular building techniques in all their homes, which reduce resource consumption, waste, costs, and building time by up to 50%-75% over conventional building methods. In addition to the mkSolaire, MKD offers four other prefab, modular configurations: Sunset Breezehouse(TM), mkLotus(TM), mkLoft(TM), and Glidehouse(TM), as well as custom homes and larger multi-family and community developments.

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5 EcoPrinciples: Unique Solutions for a Healthy Home + Lifestyle

When designing any space, MKD thinks of and creates sustainable design based on 5 EcoPrinciples (http://www.mkd-arc.com/company/ecoprinciples/): smart design, eco materials, energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthy environment.

Visit Michelle's blog (http://blog.michellekaufmann.com) to get an insider's perspective on the entire building process with insightful entries, detailed images, and engaging videos.

The Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit is a true celebration of the future of architecture, design, and technology. The exhibit is open to the public beginning May 8, 2008 through January 4, 2009. Tickets are available at http://www.msichicago.org.

Smart Home: Green + Wired, powered by ComEd and warmed by Peoples Gas, is also sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; Dominick's; and the Motorola Foundation as part of the Museum's 75th Anniversary.

About Michelle Kaufmann Designs

Michelle Kaufmann Designs (MKD) is a full service design/build architectural firm that specializes in sustainable, innovative, high-quality modular architecture. The goal of her company is to make it easier for people to build green and live a more sustainable lifestyle. MKD was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Oakland, CA. MKD owns and operates its own factory, mkConstructs, located just outside Seattle, WA. mkConstructs builds homes for California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii. Michelle Kaufmann Designs works with key factory partners to handle increasing volume and expanded territories. More information can be found at http://www.michellekaufmann.com

About the Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry's mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone by presenting captivating and compelling experiences that are real and educational. The Museum first opened its doors on June 19, 1933. In 2008-more than 175 million guests later-the Museum commemorates its 75th Anniversary with a year-long celebration. Located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, the Museum is open every day of the year except December 25. Regular Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Extended summer hours, until 5:30 p.m. each day, will be offered from May 24 to Sept. 1. The Museum offers indoor parking and is accessible by CTA and Metra. The Museum is supported in part through the generosity of the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, visit the Museum's Web site at http://www.msichicago.org or call (773) 684-1414 or (800) GO-TO-MSI outside of the Chicago.

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SOURCE Michelle Kaufmann Designs

CONTACT: Dana Smith of Dadascope Communications, +1-510-524-2066, dana@dadascope.com, for Michelle Kaufmann Designs

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