Natalie Portman’s Totally Cool New Montecito Home [30 + photos]

Natalie Portman Montecito Home

The newest residence of California’s tony Montecito neighborhood (an upscale area in Santa Barbara) is actress Natalie Portman. Oscar-winner Portman paid $6.5 million for the ‘green’ 3,991 sq ft, four bedroom, 4.5 bath home designed by architecture firm Barton Myers Associates which was initially listed at $6.99MM.

Natalie Portman New Montecito Home

Natalie Portman Montecito Home

Natalie and husband Benjamin Millepied who have two children; son Aleph and 4 month old daughter Amalia, will soon be enjoying their new home in the foothills of Montecito on Toro Canyon Road. The home is just one of several owned by the actress. With an obvious affinity for architecture and design, she once previously owned a $6.5 million Richard Meier 2-bedroom apartment in a New York skyrise which she sold in 2008. In May of 2009, she paid $3,250,000 for a 1930’s mini mansion 4 bedroom and 2 bathroom residence in Los Angeles in Grand Laughlin Park (a gated historic community). Natalie and her family lived in Paris for three years, returning to Los Angeles in 2016. Apparently the Santa Barbara abode will be her ‘vacay’ home.

Natalie Portman and husband Benjamin Millepied
Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman and husband Benjamin Millepied

The property has an interesting history. It was originally built in 1934 by the famed conductor Leopold Stokowski and known as “The Monastery,” the property played host to the elite of the music and film industry. But the modern home you see now was originally constructed in 2008 and remodeled in 2009.

Located in the hills above Montecito, the sustainable residence, was designed to take advantage of the 10.4 acre site’s striking features, including majestic oak trees and large boulders.

Video of the home from the realtor:

The modern glass, steel and poured concrete Montecito residence includes the main home, 500 sf garage and a 50′ lap pool and is divided into two wings. A public wing includes living, dining and kitchen areas and opens up to the main outdoor dining and lounging areas.

inside portman home

montecito home to natalie portman

The second, more intimate wing, contains bedrooms, bathrooms and a library all of which open up to small outdoor courtyards and terraces.

The home’s landscape design includes an outdoor metal sculptural fireplace and dining area.

The property also includes a new 50′ lap-pool nestled in the landscape and an existing guest house.

50' lap pool

montecito house lap pool

The intention behind the design strategy is tectonic design research that creatively envisions a flexible prototype for mass-produced housing using steel construction and standardized off-the-shelf industrial components. Since a majority of all steel is manufactured from scrap metals from recycled automobiles it is a “green” material. The design advances concepts of adaptive space while creating a “kit of parts” that can be assembled into 12-foot modules as an alternative to the manufactured buildings mitigating the unpredictable link of manufactured units to serviced land.

What the home looked like before the addition of the new swimming pool.
What the home looked like before the addition of the new swimming pool.

The building is constructed of exposed steel, glass, concrete and insulated metal panels. The Montecito Residence takes full advantage of the indoor-outdoor living made possible by California Coast’s mild climate.

Large operable sectional glass doors, sliding doors and windows can be opened and closed to quickly adjust to the climate conditions and the occupants’ comfort:

In addition, the house’s radiant heat system is fed by solar collector panels. Other sustainable features include highly efficient boilers, photovoltaic panels and an Energy-Star rated “cool” roof.

green architecture

The house is but one of several built by Barton Myers in Los Angeles that all employ the same fundamental structure  and roll up doors, such as the Birken Residence in Toro Canyon , Barton Myers’ own residence and the West Los Angles House.

Architectural plans:

Architects: Barton Myers Associates
Location: Montecito, CA, United States

images courtesy of Village Properties Realtors and Montecito Real Estate