Celebrities Build Their Eco-Friendly Homes to New Green Heights

Ed Begley Jr.’s Studio City Pad Builds Sustainability

Perhaps no celebrity is more synonymous with green living than Ed Begley Jr., the veteran actor best-known for his starring role on “St. Elsewhere” and guest starring gigs on shows like “Portlandia” and “Arrested Development.” Together with wife Rachelle Carson and his now-adult daughter, the hardcore environmentalist long shared a one-bathroom 1930s Studio City bungalow that was sold off about five years ago.

For their next eco-minded project, the Begleys selected a south-facing lot in one of Studio City’s best neighborhoods. They built a new residence, completed in 2016, which combined the characteristics they sought in a dream home: French country-style architecture for her, environmentally conscious features for him. Acclaimed architect William Hefner handled the design; contractor Scott Harris at Building Construction Group oversaw the five-year project.

Amenities include Lutron automated lighting and shades, which dim and rise on timers for maximum energy efficiency. A gray water system recycles for irrigation, as does a 10,000-gallon rainwater collection tank. The structure itself includes 12-inch thick walls for optimum insulation and a recycled-steel frame. But from the outside, the property appears to be an elegant French-style house, not unlike many others in the surrounding area. The Platinum LEED-certified residence spans 3,896 square feet with four bedrooms and an equivalent number of bathrooms, according to records.

Elegant and clean-lined both inside and out, the house includes a master bath with tile crafted entirely from recycled bottles, and hardwood flooring recycled from barns. An outdoor, chlorine-free pool is purified by an ozone system, and there are fruit trees planted in the front yard — instead of the typical water-gorging grassy lawn — plus native plants scattered around the California Oak-studded lot.

Equipped with all the latest solar arrays, the energy-neutral property features a two-car garage with electric car chargers and off-street parking for at least six additional vehicles.

Source: https://www.Variety.com
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 2:07PM PT
Celebrities Build Their Eco-Friendly Homes to New Green Heights
By JAMES MCCLAIN