Building hypocrisy in the Malibu hills

February 24, 2010 · Posted in Construction, Opinion, Real Estate

Less is more for green building. It must be defined only in terms of using less energy, less water, less material and causing less harm to the ecological processes that support life. I’m appalled that yet another mega-rich celebrity is using “green” to wash away the grime of over consumption.

David Evans, also called The Edge and guitarist for U2 hopes to develop 156 acres overlooking the Pacific coast near Malibu, California. I respect the work that celebrities do for good causes, and I suppose that Mr. Evans has done his share of good deeds. Let’s take nothing away from other accomplishments. Instead, let’s focus on how this particular project reeks of excess.

Mr. Evans’ plans to build five homes on a bluff overlooking the ocean using “every imaginable green building technique”, according a New York Times story. The homes would range in size from 7,000 to 12,000 square feet. Whoa!

I can’t disparage his motives. Let’s assume that Mr Evans’ simply needs some help understanding that “green” isn’t about shiny stuff. Mr. Evans can demonstrate his sincerity by focusing his attention on the outcome not the technology. All five of his houses should meet a few simple goals: net zero energy, net zero water, completely healthy, beneficial to local habitat and certified by an independent third party. I could add more requirements, but I think those five elements should keep him busy enough.

Let’s assume that Mr. Evans is able to meet all four goals and get the house certified. That leaves only a fundamental hypocrisy. He claims he wants to “inspire” others to create a “benchmark of sustainability.” I get it. A world of eager green acolytes will gaze on this accomplishment and dedicate themselves to building their own multi-million dollar monuments to conspicuous consumption. Let’s see, the land alone cost $9 million, which is more than I would make in… 12 LIFETIMES. And they haven’t even started pushing dirt.

To assert that anyone, but rock stars, investment bankers and mega-millionaires will be able to follow this example is absurd and insulting. It’s bad enough to salve one’s own conscience with green consumption, but it’s contemptuous to say it somehow serves society. I’m sick of rich people claiming that the only reason they build monstrous green houses is to show the rest of us how to do it. If these folks really want to be examples for the huddled masses (who made them rich to begin with), then they should use their money and all their talent to create a truly sustainable home with no more than 500 square feet for each permanent resident. If they need help, I’m happy to offer my thoughts on how to accomplish green development with true elegance.

No matter how many shiny gadgets Mr Evans puts in these small houses, there will be lots of money left over. With that, they could build thousands of truly green houses in Haiti or Africa or New Orleans. David Evans is only the current poster child for this behavior. It happens in every town and to varying degrees. Generally speaking, this kind of greenwashing is unintentional. These folks just don’t get it. Even if Marie Antoinette didn’t really say it, the sentiment applies: “If they don’t have bread, let them eat cake!”

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Comments

2 Responses to “Building hypocrisy in the Malibu hills”

Lesley LEED AP on February 27th, 2010 4:25 pm

I agree with you that it is somewhat commendable that celebrities are trying to get in on this sustainability movement. What I would really LOVE to see is training. I want to see Mr. Evans and Brad Pitt take a LEED exam prep course, study (!!!) for the exam and pass it. Prove to consumers that you really know what you are talking about. I can’t really take them seriously when they say they want to headline these sustainability efforts, but they can’t. They can’t headline these efforts because they don’t know what needs to be done! It’s great that they are saying “Let’s build green” but they need to know what that means. As soon as I see a LEED AP title attached to their names, then I might believe that they know what they are talking about. Right now they just have other (trained) people to do the work for them. This won’t make that much of an impact. They need to get their hands dirty too.
Bruce Sullivan on February 27th, 2010 6:40 pm

Excellent point. Celebrities are granted instant credibility, just because they are famous.

As you said, somewhere in the background there is an architect and a builder and probably a green consultant. Hopefully, those professionals are trained and maybe have initials behind their names. As most green professionals will attest, clients can be very stubborn (especially if they have lots of money).

If Mr Evans or Mr Pitt want to get educated, I can recommend a number of classes at Earth Advantage Institute.

Having said that, I will not question the motivation or sincerity of these celebrities. They can be wonderful role models, if only they would guide the rest of us to something that’s actually achievable.

Thanks for you comment.