Celebrity homes are not known for their frugality. It may seem a clichéd, but the homes of the rich and famous are generally known for their opulence, and often wastefulness. Case in point: 18-year-old pop star Miley Cyrus' $3.9 million 5,200 square foot five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home. One individual living in such a huge amount of space is extravagance in the extreme. Taking this concept even further is the residence of Elton John's newborn baby; a $2 million LA apartment - just for his baby.
More often than not, these cases represent home owners in spaces that are simply wastefully large. It is of course an individual's right to live as they choose, that is unquestionable. What can not be argued is the absolute disregard this shows for sustainability principles.
Luis de Garrido's design of the 'Eye of Horus' shaped home on the Isla Playa de Cleopatra in Turkey, as bought for supermodel Naomi Campbell by her billionaire boyfriend, has the makings of just one such home. The multi-million dollar home contains 25 bedrooms, 5 living areas and in indoor garden. Upon initial inspection one may come to the conclusion that this is yet another home that has sacrificed environmental integrity for absolute creative freedom (one that so often comes with zero budget limitations).
That would however be wrong.
This incredible home is not only intriguing in style, but is completely carbon neutral. With all energy used in the running of the building, produced using green technologies built into the structure.
Structurally, the residence is little more than a glass-panelled dome overlayed on steel framework, which creates the incredible pupil shape. The house is exposed to the both light and air year round making the photovoltaic panels (which complete the eyes shape) particularly effective and combine with a geothermal system to produce all of the building's energy needs.
While the house's position and climate may be prime for solar power use, heat is also a concern, but that concern has been eliminated through the use of exterior louvers and strategic landscaping that filters out excess solar gain.
Rain and greywater are harvested and treated in the residence's onsite biological filtering system. These both aid in the water production for the household needs, in addition to irrigation for the interior garden area.
All of this always the house to be completely self-sustaining, requiring no access to grid electricity, a feat the average home owner could not boast.
The house is a testament to responsible home building, and also an incredible promotion of sustainability and comfort being intrinsically linked. While the critics may label the building as gimmicky or tacky due to its out of the box style, there is no doubting that this is one house that is more than meets the eye.
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