Pretty Little Green Things

On display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago since March of this year, is the Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibition.  It’s a modular home that was original built in 2008 to showcase the best of green building.  Originally designed by Michelle Kaufmann, an architect and designer from San Francisco, it has since been transformed by Midwest Living.  It’s a gorgeous, bright and airy home built according to these five principles:

1.  Smart Design with a smart technology system that “enables homeowners to control heat, window coverings, lighting, security sensors and cameras, as well as track electricity, gas and water consumption in real-time.”

2.  Material Efficiency with prefabricated modules created off-site and the use of renewable and recycled materials.

3.  Energy Efficiency with a green roof that helps cool the house in the summer and insulate it in the winter.  Plus solar panels, Energy Star appliances and large windows to let light in.

4.  Water Efficiency with low flow plumbing fixtures and the incorporation of gray water (rinse water from the clothes washer, shower, etc.) for toilets and outdoor landscaping.

5.  Healthy Environment with the use of non-toxic, low-VOC finishes and air filtration systems.

I think the home is beautiful and fresh and I love the natural woods contrasted against the white walls.  What do you think?

That table is my favorite piece in the house.  According to Smart Home, it was designed and created by Barefoot Design and made from concrete and bur oak wood from a fallen tree in the Smart Home Park.

This is the living room.  The colors of this room are just beautiful.

Here’s another view of the living room.  And yes, that’s a working fireplace.  It comes from EcoSmart Vision Fireplace and is portable, ventless and runs on denatured alcohol.  Very cool.

The open stairs are an beautiful architectural feature.

The kitchen cabinets are made of FSC-certified oak veneer with an espresso stain

This is the master bedroom.  I have to say that this is my least favorite room, but I do love their use of reclaimed wood throughout the house.

Photos from Michelle Kaufmann and the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago

On display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago since March of this year, is the Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibition.  It’s a modular home that was original built in 2008 to showcase the best of green building.  Originally designed by Michelle Kaufmann, an architect and designer from San Francisco, it has since been transformed by Midwest Living.  It’s a gorgeous, bright and airy home built according to these five principles:

1.  Smart Design with a smart technology system that “enables homeowners to control heat, window coverings, lighting, security sensors and cameras, as well as track electricity, gas and water consumption in real-time.”

2.  Material Efficiency with prefabricated modules created off-site and the use of renewable and recycled materials.

3.  Energy Efficiency with a green roof that helps cool the house in the summer and insulate it in the winter.  Plus solar panels, Energy Star appliances and large windows to let light in.

4.  Water Efficiency with low flow plumbing fixtures and the incorporation of gray water (rinse water from the clothes washer, shower, etc.) for toilets and outdoor landscaping.

5.  Healthy Environment with the use of non-toxic, low-VOC finishes and air filtration systems.

I think the home is beautiful and fresh and I love the natural woods contrasted against the white walls.  What do you think?

That table is my favorite piece in the house.  According to Smart Home, it was designed and created by Barefoot Design and made from concrete and bur oak wood from a fallen tree in the Smart Home Park.

This is the living room.  The colors of this room are just beautiful.

Here’s another view of the living room.  And yes, that’s a working fireplace.  It comes from EcoSmart Vision Fireplace and is portable, ventless and runs on denatured alcohol.  Very cool.

The open stairs are an beautiful architectural feature.

The kitchen cabinets are made of FSC-certified oak veneer with an espresso stain

This is the master bedroom.  I have to say that this is my least favorite room, but I do love their use of reclaimed wood throughout the house.

Photos from Michelle Kaufmann and the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago