PREFAB FRIDAY: Zero-Energy MkLotus debuts!
by Jill Fehrenbacher
No more renderings necessary, Michelle Kaufmann’s gorgeous new eco-prefab home has just debuted and been installed on the grass in front of San Francisco City Hall. The lovely zero-energy prefab is open to the public as part of the West Coast Green show at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza. We were lucky enough to get a sneak peak of the house as it was getting set up in the past few days, and we can tell you firsthand that the renderings don’t do it justice. The home is compact and stunning, with gorgeous xeriscape landscaping, and the most high-tech green materials and sustainable systems available,including a greywater recycling system, green roof, solar panels, and even a spot to plug in your electric vehicle for charging!
We spoke to Michelle on Tuesday, so stay tuned in the coming weeks for an interview with her about the design. And make sure to come by West Coast Green today and tomorrow to see the mkLOTUS for yourself!
For those of you who aren’t in the area and can’t check out the house in person, read on for our in-depth report. We got a ton of fabulous photos of all the green details, both inside and out - and can tell you that this is one truly stunning, beautifully designed, prefab powerhouse.
Michelle Kauffman is known for her modern, sustainable prefab designs, and the mkLotus goes above and beyond all previous MK designs. The modular construction allows for customization and flexibility, while sliding doors allow residents to open up their house to the elements.
the MKlotus bathroom recycles shower water to flush toilets
From sustainable materials like flyash concrete, FSC-certified wood, no-VOC paint and EcoResin to the green roof, LED lighting system, EnergyStar appliances, photovoltaic energy system, and rainwater/greywater catchment, the house is as green as it gets. The ‘zero-energy’ house actually produces so much energy from the solar panels on the roof that you can charge your electric vehicle with a plug in the side of the house.
the vehicle plug-in spotAbove and beyond all the green, however, the house is just a testament to thoughtful, smart design. Every material, system and design choice in the house seems to be thought out, and have purpose. The high ceilings, skylights, gently angled walls, floor to ceiling glass and copious daylight all work to make the 700 sf house feel a lot bigger and more spacious than it actually is.
Hallway looking through the house
the bedroom
eco-resin sliding doors provide options for customizing the space
the kitchen
digital system control centerOne realy cool thing about the house is that has a fully digital control center, which allows the occupant to control light and heat, as well as monitering energy use, water use and programming the TV.
the grey water filtration system in front of the house - look closely and you can see architect Michelle Kaufman in the window
the grey water filtration system up close
The green roof (provided by Rana Creek), and skylights
Jim Schmidt, the builder from Xtreme Homes watches as the solar panels are installed
the landscape around the Mklotus house is a ‘Xeriscape’ design which uses all local, indigenous plants in the San Francisco Bay Area, and doesn’t require water
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Why is the living area on the north side? Wouldn’t it be better to flip the floor plan having the bedroom on the north side and living on south. This would make the building more energy efficient right, using the sun to help heat the building in the winter.
Also I’m not too familiar with green roofs but isn’t earth a thermal mass not an insulator. Is there additional insulation below the green roof? How does a green roof insulate?