Robert and Susan Downey Built a Concrete Dome House in Malibu

Actor Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan purchased a seven-acre piece of land in Malibu, California, for $13.4 million in 2009. They added three adjacent plots to the property, which already featured a 1970s house, guest houses, and farm animals like pygmy goats, horses, alpacas, pigs, cows, chickens, and rabbits.

The Dome Project

In 2013, the couple started building a futuristic concrete dome known as a Binishell on the grounds. The design was inspired by Italian architect Dante Bini and introduced by his son Nicolò Bini. The method involves covering an inflatable bladder with steel-reinforced concrete, which is then deflated once the concrete hardens to leave curved walls. Architectural Digest described the resulting space as a 6,500-square-foot concrete clubhouse meant for entertaining guests.

Interior And Design

The project took seven years to complete, with the shell inflated in 2015 and the interior left unfinished for two years. The layout features rounded walls, windows, skylights, a central hallway, and a separate screening room built underneath the dome's roof. Practical compromises included using cheaper fiberglass bead screens instead of ceramic elements at the entrance. The living room contains a sculptural sofa with round upholstery, while a playroom features a hanging chair made from kooboo cane, ropes, and leather. An outdoor fountain displays an old oil drum with a Mickey Mouse head wearing a gas mask, which Downey noted is an ironic nod to Walt Disney's work on children's gas masks during World War II.

Sustainable Features

The property includes drought-tolerant plants to save water and Source Hydropanels that pull moisture from the air for drinking water. Vertical-axis wind turbines from a Dutch company were also planned to reduce reliance on grid electricity. The couple's focus on green technology connects to their organization, the Footprint Coalition, which promotes sustainable innovations.

Context

Celebrity real estate projects often attract public interest when they incorporate experimental architecture and eco-friendly technology. Sustainable building methods and renewable energy sources like wind turbines and atmospheric water capture are increasingly utilized in custom modern homes.