The Museum Of Science And Industry Gets A Green Neighbor

One of our readers gave us the heads-up on an exciting "Go Green" project right in our own back yard. Apparently, the Museum of Science and Industry on Chicago's South side is going to be getting a new, eco-friendly neighbor.

The fantastic blog, Jetson Green, posted a story on Michelle Kaufmann's architectural design firm participating in the "Smart Home: Green + Wired, Powered by ComEd and Warmed by Peoples Gas" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry by building a model mkSolaire home right on the grounds.

In Chicago for the groundbreaking and foundation pouring, Michelle talks about why she chose the mkSolaire design for such an exhibit:

I designed the mkSolaire™ to allow for healthy living in an urban environment. The mkSolaire™ at MSI will demonstrate smart, eco-friendly solutions in line with all of our EcoPrinciples. The house will include innovations like energy monitoring systems (like the one I have in my Prius only made for homes to make us more aware of our usage), renewable, recyclable materials, gray water systems, no-VOC paints, and on-demand water heaters to name a few. The exhibit is also going to include “truth windows” that will expose the contents of the walls and floors, showing all that a person doesn’t typically get to see: the insulation, framing, mechanical, and plumbing.

This is an extremely important and tangible way to bring sustainable architectural design to the public to get them educated, excited and involved. I'm looking forward to checking out the progress of this model house being built and eventually taking a walk-through tour when it opens. Stay tuned!

All images copyright Michelle Kaufmann Designs