Michelle Kaufmann

Architect
Director of R+D for the Built Environment

Michelle Kaufmann's work explores art produced by the sun, bringing life to the shadows from 3D objects and architecture.

Michelle is an architect with a passion for thoughtful, sustainable, accessible design utilizing a cross-section of digital tools, prefabrication and systems building approach. Prior to joining Google as the Director of R+D for the Built Environment, Michelle worked with X on a moonshot for architecture, Flux, Frank O. Gehry and her own practice Michelle Kaufmann Studio.

Michelle’s practice won the TOP FIRM AWARD by Residential Architect and has been featured on the Sundance channel, HGTV, Discovery, Planet Green and in numerous magazines including Town+Country, Dwell, Sunset, Time, and the Smithsonian.

Michelle has been called “the Henry Ford of green homes” by the Sierra Club and was named “Green Advocate of the Year” by the National Association of Home Builders, was included in Business 2.0 magazine’s list of “100 People Who Matter Now”, and was listed as one of the “The Green 50” by INC magazine. A full-size replica of Michelle’s home was built at the National Building Museum as part of the exhibit and was featured on PBS show “10 Homes that ...

Master of Architecture, Princeton University
Bachelors of Architecture, Iowa State University

Work by Michelle Kaufmann has been exhibited at the National Building Museum, Walker Art Center, Museum of Science and Industry, MOCA and Vancouver Art Center.