The MiSo is a prototype zero emission modular house developed at the University of Michigan. While still in early phases, the school hopes to develop the homes into a commercial venture.
"While the futuristic looking modular house that sits behind the conservatory of the University of Michigan's Matthaei Botanical Gardens is unquestionably good for the environment, it may also someday be good for business.
What started as a student competition to build a solar house could turn into a business venture where homebuyers would go to their local Target, Wal-Mart or Ikea to purchase modular components for their customized house and transport it on a trailer to a homesite.
It's too early to put down a down payment - since there will be at least five years of research, study and tweaking - but the U-M solar house (MiSo) is an idea that could make sense as energy consumption and housing costs become growing issues.
"The idea is to create a MiSo brand," said Harry Giles, professor at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
The 650-square-foot passive energy house has one bedroom, living and dining space, a bathroom, a small kitchen and a laundry area. Some 32 solar panels collect energy used to power the house. The goal is to make the house a net energy producer with net zero carbon emissions."
FULL STORY: U-M collaboration could bring energy-saving homes to market
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
U.S. Miles Driven Rose by 1 Percent in 2024
Americans drove a total of 3.279 trillion miles in 2024, but per capita VMT stayed the same.
Seattle Recorded Zero Bike Deaths in 2024, per Early Data
The city halved the number of pedestrian deaths compared to 2021.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research