Passive, Sustainable, Nature Infuse, Modern Architecture & Planning
Official site of renowned architect Mark A. Miller. Architect and builder of green, passive and sustainable homes through out the Chicago and Midwest regions. Also known as Zen Plus Architecture.
We received notification from Catalyst-Partners, the certifying agent for USGBC, notifying us and our teams builder, Abueva Builders, that our project application had been reviewed satisfactorily and is awarding our Lakeside Net Zero Passive House project highest level LEED Platinum® certification ! This was a great achievement and recognizes the efforts that the entire design and construction team have gone through to produce a home that is efficient, healthy, and sustainable. Thanks so much to everybody involved especially our amazing client whose dream was to show how one can construct a home with these values that benefits occupants, the community and the health of our biosphere.
Our Lakeside Net Zero Passive House project made it to the podium for this year’s USGBC West Michigan’s Innovative Project of the Year Award, the only residential project to be awarded. The awards event took place at the USGBC-WM Annual Party and Leadership Awards event. That morning we received word that the project was awarded the highest LEED rating of “Platinum” ! Congratulations to our teammates, Paul Abueva Builders and Catalyst Partners and the home owner for having a vision to create such an energy efficient project.
Mark presented at the 2nd Annual Residential Net Zero Conference, sharing highlights of his project, The Lakeside Net Zero Passive House in Michigan. Mark is joined by our builder Paul Abueva. “This is my most ambitious project to date and may possibly be the most energy efficient home in the state of Michigan !” Click here to watch.
The Popielarz Residence is now complete. The project scored a remarkable 42 on the HERS rating and met and exceeded energy star certification by 50 % ! Blower door testing came in at an impressive 1.5ACH@50 Pascals. A variety of new professional photographs can be seen in our PORTFOLIO.
Two years ago Mark was asked to step up and into the Executive Director position for the Passive House Alliance US. Part of Mark’s week was directing a member organization promoting the world’s highest energy efficiency standard. Mark will remain active in this vibrant community of pioneering professionals.
The Discovery Channel’s Planet Green station will feature The Matson’s Residence on their Renovation Nation Show. Former This Old House hot Steve Thomas spent the day filming at our project. He toured the house with both Al and Nancy Matson and with Mark. See portfolio for video.
