BIO


M:OME and MOMElife is architect Laura Joines, AIA.  The M:OME mission is simple: create affordable, modern design that belongs to its climate and to its region.
 
Laura Joines-Novotny, AIA is a partner in M:OME and a Professor of Architecture at California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo.  She received her A.B from Vassar College in Geography/Anthropology, studying abroad at London School of Economics.  For graduate work she attended Columbia University, the Architectural Association, London, and received an M.ARCH from North Carolina State University, School of Design.
 
Sustaining an architectural practice that emphasizes earth-friendly principles and simple yet beautiful design, and designing new products for the MOMElife line keeps her out of trouble.  Her source of entertainment and laughter is kids......she has 3 under the age of 13. Laura is into canning jam and tomatoes.  Packing school lunches and folding laundry....urrggg. Her rare domestic talent is baking chocolate chip cookies.  She enjoys boogie boarding with her kids, and those fleeting moments of nothingness.
 
PHILOSOPHY
The architecture office provides architectural design, watercolor renderings, furniture, and product design, all demonstrating innovative design incorporating proven sustainable technologies.
 
She endeavors to pick up where Le Corbusier left off by creating a true 'machine for living' in harmony with its occupants and within its climactic region. Her office responds to the American need for a house that is warm and friendly, and is an efficient machine with current sustainable technologies such as photovoltaic panels, hydrogen fuel cells, water catchment systems, solar water heaters, passive solar heat gain, sunshade devices, cooling ponds, thermal mass, passive cooling, and radiant heat.

Proportioning systems, namely the Fibonacci series and the golden section ratio are used in every project design.  Careful proportions are what give a space the feeling that it is 'right'. 

Buildings are the greatest contributor to global warming at this point.  Everyone will eventually buy a new efficient hydrogen fuel cell car, but not everyone can buy a new sustainable house.
 
Laura feels that architects are responsible for educating their clients and incorporating these technologies into every building and product that they make.  Responding to climate and site factors, as well as reducing the demand for power, water and resources profoundly affects the architecture and product designs at MOMElife.