Rendering by MBR Studios. Copyright © 2006, Michelle Kaufmann Designs. All rights reserved (used with permission, click to enlarge).

The modern, sustainable mkSolaire™ home uses eco-friendly materials and systems. Through the use of off-site modular technology in MKD's wholly-owned factory, the mkSolaire™ home can be completed in as little as 8 to 14 months from your first design meeting with MKD, with less time, headaches and costs of the equivalent site-built design.

Healthy Living in the City

The mkSolaire™ home is built utilizing sustainable materials and systems. Every mkSolaire™ home is solar-ready. Depending on the location, the home can be fitted with solar panels upon delivery, further enhancing the sustainability of the home. Other renewable energy systems are also available such as a geothermal system, a wind generator system, or hybrid systems. Other green aspects of the home include Icynene insulation, high-performance mini-duct/hi-velocity mechanical system, bamboo or reclaimed wood flooring, countertops containing recycled paper, recycled glass tile, on-demand water heaters and water-saving dual-flush toilets. Healthy finishes such as non-toxic paints and formaldehyde-free cabinetry are also used throughout the house. These materials and systems not only create a healthy environment, but also reduce costs for heating, cooling and water bills.

Standard mkSolaire™ Design Features

• 3 bedrooms plus loft
• 2.5 bathrooms
  
• 2 stories
• 1,830 sf plus 98 sf deck (15'6"-wide modules)
  
• 23' x 54' building envelope
  

Drawing Copyright © 2006, Michelle Kaufmann Designs. All rights reserved (used with permission, click to enlarge).

Each mkSolaire™ home is a healthy, spacious, light-filled home designed for urban dwelling. The living/dining/lounge/kitchen space is open and flexible. There is a vaulted ceiling above the dining space that is open to the library/loft on the second level. This configuration not only creates a harmonious spacious feel with balanced light, but also brings in light and ventilation into the center of the home. The operable windows above the loft/library allow hot air to go up and out of the home. There are also skylights above the bathrooms upstairs. The front and back walls are maximized with glass. These can be either accordion Nanawall glass doors, or large sliding doors, to connect to the gardens, blurring the boundary between the interior and exterior. The kitchen is open to the living/dining/lounge space, yet is tucked back so is not always visible. There is a butler’s pantry for easy accessible storage, which is perfect for entertaining. Ceiling heights in most rooms are 9’ high.  Ceiling height above the dining room goes from 12’ to 18’ high.

Options, Options, Options

The mkSolaire™ is a flexible design allowing for the following variations on the standard program:

• mkSolaire™ with Roof Garden—add a 395 sf deck to the roof
  
• Garden mkSolaire™—for less urban lots, let the green in with additional windows
• Hillside mkSolaire™—for sloped lots, incorporate a garage under the home
• 3-Story mkSolaire™—add another story and expand to 2,477 sf including a 4th bedroom
• Duplex/Multi-Family mkSolaire™—share walls and reduce costs
  

Rendering by MBR Studios. Copyright © 2006, Michelle Kaufmann Designs. All rights reserved (used with permission, click to enlarge).

Based on these floor plans, Michelle Kaufmann Designs can also work with you to create modified solutions to your mkSolaire™ that will suit your site, budget and lifestyle. All standard floor plans are available on the mkSolaire™ website.

Other options for all mkSolaire™ floor plans include the following:

• Depending on the lot size and zoning requirements, there can be windows on the sides of the home or not.
• A fireplace can be added, either along a wall, or a 2-sided fireplace can create a sense of separate rooms, that are still open and flowing.
• Photovoltaic or thermal solar panels can be installed on the roof.
• There are many eco-friendly and beautiful  interior and exterior finish options to choose from.
• The mkSolaire™ home can be designed with garage or carport, which can be attached or detached.
• The mkSolaire™ home can be designed to have a 4th bedroom (or guest suite or office/studio) attached or detached to the lower level.

For mkSolaire™ homes, there are a variety of material and fixture options to choose from including Milgard, Anderson or Nanawall windows and doors, bamboo flooring, slate bathroom flooring and walls, recycled glass tile bathroom flooring and walls, Kohler and Hansgrohe plumbing fixtures, birch, maple, cherry or walnut cabinetry, and slate slab, Richlite, quartz or stainless steel countertops. Flexibility with roof configurations, exterior finishes, 2 or 3 story options, and solar options gives you the ability to create a home that suits your unique site and lifestyle. During your first meeting in the MKD office, MKD will review material samples with you to aid you in your selection.

mkSolaire™ Home Costs

mkSolaire™ home factory costs vary according to number of floor levels, overall area, module widths and finish package. The factory costs typically range from $155 to $175 per square foot. For example, the S1 Standard mkSolaire™ home depicted above is an 1,830 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2 story version, and with Nanawall doors for Living and Lounge walls and upgraded interior finish package would cost about $165 per square foot or roughly $302,000 for the factory cost.

Additional construction costs include all work done on site, and vary according to location, topography, and site condition: land cost; shipping/setting of modules; foundation (it is not part of the setting); button up work; garages, decks and pools; utility lines to house; and landscaping. Michelle Kaufmann Designs will work with each mkSolaire™ client to build a budget. You can start by using the MKD Budget Builder.

Your Next Steps

We are taking orders for the mkSolaire™ home, available immediately in California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and Colorado. Your mkSolaire™ home will will be built to all state and local building codes, for any environment, in any season, and arrive by flatbed truck, 90% complete, in as little as 8 months after you start working with MKD (Step 3 below). To build an mkSolaire™ home, there are six steps to ownership:

1. Obtain Land—Acquire land prior to purchasing your mkSolaire™ home;

2. Obtain Financing—We can recommend lenders that specialize in financing your modular building. And we'll work with you to prepare your budget. Once you have land and financing, contact us. You are ready for our services;

3. Discuss and Decide—We'll discuss options with you and help you choose the right solution;
4. Engineering and Permits—MKD will prepare drawings for permits and production;
5. Production and Site Preparation—Your home is built in a modern factory. Your site is prepared for your home; and
6. Delivery and Button Up—Get your camera ready! We prepare your new home for move-in!
   

For Inquiries and Orders

The mkSolaire™ Process is detailed here. A budget builder is available here.

To start the process of building your MKD modern modular home, contact Marshall Mayer, marketing and sales representative for Michelle Kaufmann Designs, by providing details about your project.

You may also be interested in the Glidehouse, Michelle Kaufmann Design's most cost effective design, or the Sunset Breezehouse, MKD's most popular design. A map of current and completed MKD projects is here.