Home / Environment / Cate Blanchett's Early Eco-Home: A Decade Ahead of Trends
Cate Blanchett's Early Eco-Home: A Decade Ahead of Trends
29 Sep
Summary
- Renovations focused on energy and water conservation in 2008.
- Home featured solar power, a 20,000-litre rainwater tank, and greywater recycling.
- Sydney Theatre Company also underwent sustainability initiatives.
In 2008, Cate Blanchett and her husband, Andrew Upton, undertook a substantial renovation of their Sydney home, reportedly costing $1.5 million. The project prioritized environmental sustainability, incorporating features such as solar power, a 20,000-litre rainwater tank, low-energy lighting, and greywater recycling systems to minimize energy and water usage.
Blanchett actively promoted these green practices, noting their rarity at the time and installing shower timers to conserve water. Their commitment to sustainability also influenced their co-artistic directorship at the Sydney Theatre Company (STC).
The STC launched 'Greening the Wharf,' a project to enhance its operational sustainability with solar power and water harvesting at its Walsh Bay location. By 2010, nearly 2,000 solar panels were installed, aiming to supply a significant portion of the company's electricity needs and powering the equivalent of 46 homes.
