the man
In
1974, shortly after the very first "energy crisis", at age 29, Michael went
to his office everyday for a month - simply to contemplate what he wanted
to be when he "grew
up". He
created the job description "Solar
Architect". He
is one of America's Solar and Energy Conscious Design Pioneers. He
subsequently taught this subject for Jordan College, Purdue University, and
The American Institute of Architects (AIA). At
the start of his career, he practiced Design and Build, believing that architects
should be required to work in construction - a full decade before
the AIA accepted the wisdom of it. His
first residential design was naturally heated and cooled, active and passively
solar
heated,
and earth-sheltered. He was "Green" long before the word was invented! His
first commercial building design became nationally famous and was published
as an example of Green Building by the AIA.
In 1985 he was awarded the Residential Grand Prize Design award by "Better Homes and Gardens" Magazine©. Although he allowed his USA licensing to expire when he lived overseas for 13 years, he was a Registered Architect and GB-98 Unlimited Contractor in the State of New Mexico from 1984-1997. He has designed and/or built about 200 homes, remodels, additions, commercial and institutional buildings.
the vision
Designing and building is a manifestation of personal growth by committing significant resources of time, money, and energy into creating a permanent structure. The building represents the achievement by the owner of certain goals, as well as a means to attain future ones. In concert with the Owner, opportunities are explored to create a design that maximizes the potential of the building site, and that are compatible with the owner's taste, lifestyle, and budget.
The design is responsive to the Owner's expression of needs and desires - within the limitations determined by the budget. Efficiency in space planning, life cycle cost effectiveness, future maintenance expense, and Green Building choices are a part of the design criteria - resulting in value conscious projects.
Successful design includes the three elements of firmness (structure), commodity (spatial relationships), and delight (aesthetics). The Designer seeks to integrate and prioritize choices of construction materials and methods, functional practicality, and aesthetic satisfaction.
A special knowledge and dedication are required to successfully execute energy conscious, solar, and natural daylighting designs in order to create sustainable buildings.
