Patrick Dempsey exudes an air of class and sophistication as Dr. McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy, but in real life he lives in a tin house. For real. Dempsey and his wife, Jillian, and their three children–the couple are Dad and Mom to 12-year-old daughter Talula and 7-year-old twin boys named Darby and Sullivan–live inside an eco-friendly tin home.

The Dempsey home–and Patrick himself–is featured on the cover of the March issue of Architectural Digest, so they certainly aren’t living in squalor–and within its pages McDreamy dishes about his love of “all things automotive.”

“The exterior’s simplicity appealed to me, and the inside felt very expansive and calming. Everywhere you looked there was something visually pleasing,” Dempsey says of the tin house.

Dempsey didn’t have the house built, however, and the previous owners openly dubbed it “The Tin House.” The family has embraced the home’s history and proudly displays its name next to the front door.

Patrick Dempsey says his home is more eco-sustainable than most. That means a lot to him. He has a world wide reputation for his philanthropic dedication. He has worked with a number of organizations to bring affordable clean energy through the use of solar power to people in communities all over the world.

“I have found that natural metal roofs and siding such as zinc or tin offer advantages for sustainable solutions on several levels,” he says of his own home. “This roof and tin siding surfaces are an excellent choice for rainwater collection while also providing an opportunity to integrate concealed solar thermal collectors for water and space heating. Tin and zinc roofs and siding are highly durable and easily recyclable — reducing future impacts on landfills.”

Dempsey paid $7 million for his home–which is in Malibu. It measures approximately 5000 square feet. He has converted an outdoor riding arena into a place where wife Jillian can pursue her interest in organic gardening. The family has a variety of animals who reside at the Dempsey home as well, including a chicken coop, as well as miniature donkeys, rabbits, goats, pigs, and a rescued African tortoise.

Architectural Digest kept their interview with Patrick Dempsey fun–and way more about cars than sustainable living.

In an exclusive Q+A, @PatrickDempsey reveals his favorite cars and shares his passion for all things automotive. http://t.co/FBEsNAG86x

— Architectural Digest (@ArchDigest) February 5, 2014

It shouldn’t really surprise anyone that Patrick Dempsey lives in a tin house. Despite his Grey’s Anatomy persona those who have met the actor say he is down to earth, humble and devoted to giving back. He lives a life unlike many of his Hollywood peers. He sets a great example for all.

Image via Wikimedia Commons