Gwyneth Paltrow’s sprawling Montecito home began with a $4.9 million property purchase and a decision to start almost entirely from scratch. The actor and Goop founder bought 2.4 acres in the California community in 2016. Two homes dating from the late 1980s already stood on the land, but both were demolished to make way for a new residence. Six years later, the project had become a roughly 14,000-square-foot home combining high-end design with solar power and a system designed to reuse water. The timing of the project was significant. Paltrow bought the property while California was dealing with a severe drought and communities around Montecito were facing substantial pressure on their water supplies.
A $4.9 million property rebuilt from scratch
Paltrow’s Montecito project was not a conventional renovation. After buying the site, she removed the two existing structures and worked with designers Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman and Williams. Interior designer Brigette Romanek was also involved in shaping the finished home. The design took inspiration from European architecture, particularly the feel of an old barn, while incorporating modern systems beneath its more traditional-looking exterior.The design-and-build process took about six years. By completion, the house measured about 14,000 square feet.Montecito, located near Santa Barbara, has long attracted wealthy homeowners and celebrities. But Paltrow’s project was being planned at a time when water use had become a particularly sensitive issue in the area.
The home reportedly has more than 60 solar panels
One of the property’s standout features is its use of solar energy. The estate is powered by solar energy. A 2021 report in the Montecito Journal said more than 60 solar panels had been installed on the property.California was already one of the leading US markets for residential solar installations when the house was being built. Falling installation costs, state incentives and high electricity prices had encouraged more homeowners to adopt rooftop solar systems.For a home of this scale, however, solar panels were only part of the effort to reduce demand on conventional resources.
Why the graywater system stands out
The property also has a graywater system. Graywater generally refers to wastewater generated by sources such as showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks and washing machines. Unlike wastewater from toilets, some forms of graywater can be collected and reused for purposes that do not require drinking-quality water.Depending on the system and local regulations, treated or appropriately managed graywater can be used for applications such as landscape irrigation. This can reduce the amount of fresh water a household needs for its outdoor areas.The feature was particularly notable in Montecito, which was dealing with severe pressure on local water supplies during the multiyear drought.
The house was built during a California water crisis
When Paltrow purchased the property in 2016, California was still in the grip of a historic multiyear drought. Water shortages had become especially acute around Montecito. In 2016, both Lake Cachuma and Jameson Lake were below 10% of total capacity, according to Montecito Water District records.The conditions provide important context for the environmental features incorporated into the home. Roman and Williams says the residence was designed around sustainable principles, with the completed property fully powered by solar energy and built with a graywater system.
Sustainability was built into the home’s design
Paltrow’s Montecito project ultimately combined the scale and finishes of a luxury home with environmental systems that were built into the property from the outset. Architectural Digest said the solar power and graywater system reflected her view that environmental considerations should be part of homebuilding, while Roman and Williams describes the residence as fully powered by solar energy.
