Bonnifait studied architecture at Architecte DPLG in Bordeaux, France. She worked in France, China, Tibet and Finland before moving to New Zealand in 2000.[1] In 2001, she co-founded Atelierworkshop Architects.[3] From 2000 to 2004 she lectured at Victoria University's School of Architecture.[3]
Bonnifait co-created a prototype for a holiday house from a shipping container, naming it Port-a-Bach.[4][5] The model was not produced for sale as the concept was considered restrictive; instead, Bonnifait went on to co-create a similar product, Mini-Fab.[5]
In 2014, Bonnifait won the Whirihana Emerging Leardership Award at the Architecture + Women NZ Dulux Awards.[3]