We are excited to welcome a new member to our BrightBuilt Home team of designers and high-performance fanatics. Meet Michael, who joins us in the Construction Liaison role, bringing along his mastery in the building construction industry, a flair for crafting exquisite custom furniture, and a keen eye for photography! As a way to get to know him better, and to introduce him to our BrightBuilt family, we thought we’d ask Michael some of our signature pointed questions.
Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from, where have you been, and how did you get here?
I’m originally from Maine, born and raised living primarily in the MidCoast area, in the town of Damariscotta. After receiving degrees in Fine Art Photography and Business Management & Marketing, I went on to spend much of my career working in the building construction industry building custom homes, custom cabinetry and fine furniture. For a short period of time, I also worked in both retail lumber yard management and wholesale window and door sales primarily to diversify and increase my breadth of experience.
I haven’t traveled nearly enough yet and would love to spend some time sailing around the South China Sea some day! I have had the good fortune of traveling to Chile and cruising south from Puerto Montt down through the inter-coastal waterway to San Rafael. Upon arrival we entered into life rafts with glasses of scotch & ice from the glaciers in hand, and motored within 200 yards of the glacial faces. Needless to say, in spite of having a good stiff drink, it was a hair-raising experience!
I believe it was fate that brought me to the doors of BrightBuilt Home. Given my diverse background and knowledge in the building industry, I was enthusiastic and eager to share and apply my experiences. BrightBuilt Home seemed like a good fit to do so and it was exciting knowing that I could contribute to an organization that aligned with my values; building conscientiously with good high-performance design and materials.
Why is Net Zero building important to you?
Given our finite limited fossil fuel resources and the impact that they have on our fragile environment, it’s the right thing to do. Having lived off-the-grid for a 25yr period, I was very focused and aware of my footprint and, in particular, how much electricity I consumed. With today’s PV technology and accessibility, it makes sense to incorporate it into the build. It allows one to take control and have a direct impact on reducing our carbon footprint. It also tends to propel oneself to change consumption habits simply by aligning to the capacity of one's own means.
If given the option, which BrightBuilt design would you build and move into tomorrow?
I like the Drisko model. I would add a shed dormer and create a second floor living space (third bedroom and bath). It has that Bungalow charm and functionality that appeals to me.
If the BrightBuilt Home team were to become stranded on a remote island, what role would you take on to ensure everyone’s survival?
First and foremost, I’d take charge of foraging for food. I believe, as long as everyone is fed, this should ideally maintain a relative level of peace among us. I also think it would be beneficial to delegate some of that responsibility just to maintain a sense of purpose and focus for everyone.
A new sitcom about the daily antics of the BrightBuilt team has been picked up by all of the major networks. Who is cast as you?
To be honest, I don’t really watch much network television, but one character that comes to mind is Jim played by John Krasinski in The Office. He always has such great composure and subtlety amongst an often-chaotic surrounding ... .makes me laugh and that sort of demeanor could work well in our office!
You have figured out how to place a BrightBuilt home anywhere; not just in terms of geographic location, but rather, on, under, over, inside, on top of, or beside anything . Where is the first place you set one?
On an island, preferably located on Moosehead Lake in Maine. Of course, it would be south facing to provide optimum solar gain. I can picture it in my mind, sitting on the front porch overlooking the lake, margarita in hand and listening to the loon cry's at dusk ... .cheers!
And most importantly: What fashion trend did you use to rock that you now wish you could delete from your past?
I would say first, I’d ditch the bell bottom jeans and second, the mullet haircut.
