Hauptman is a professor of architecture at Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning in Michigan. He holds a Master in Fine Art in Metalsmithing, Cranbrook Academy of Art. He is CEO and founding partner of Furniture Manufacturing/Design Firm. He is also coordinator of the solar home project presented by the University of Michigan in the Solar Energy Decathlon of the U. S. Department of Energy. He is the author of articles such as Homes that Heal, published in the Detroit Metro Times; and Earth to Builders: Recycle, published in the Ann Arbor News.