Cate Blanchett and her playwright husband Andrew Upton, are throwing down some serious cash in an effort to turn their $10 million dollar Sydney mansion into something a bit greener. The actress and her family have moved out of their abode and into some temporary housing while the Palm Beach-based Lesiuk Architects, who specialise in environmental jobs, get down to business.

The nearly $1.5 million in renovations will include grey water recycling, a 20,000-litre water tank, solar paneling and energy-saving lights.

Cate’s home isn’t the only thing in her life getting a green makeover. She and her husband also recently announced plans to take the Sydney Theatre Company green in 2008. From the article,

“‘We intend to initiate discussions with companies with the aim of making the building self-sufficient, to green the building. We are talking solar panels, rainwater, the works,’ Upton told a press conference. ‘This would ideally generate enough power to do a whole season off the grid. This would be the first theatre company in the world to do that.’

Cate joins Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, and Ben Harper as celebs with plans (or already completed ones) to further green their existing homes. A standing ovation for all!

Homesite via Ecofriend

photo credit: sydney morning herald