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
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