Shell Home

David Hertz Architects served as Architect of Record for the Shell Home in Malibu, an innovative Binishell residence designed by Nicolò G. Bini for Susan and Robert Downey Jr.

The Shell Home is a sculptural residence developed using the patented Binishell pneumatic formwork system. The home embodies an innovative, flowing geometry that seamlessly integrates structure, architecture, and landscape. The project integrates advanced shotcrete construction, open-span interior volumes, and a highly efficient thin-shell structural system.

As Architect of Record (AOR), David Hertz Architects provided:

• Full permit-set construction documents

• Coordination with structural, MEP, and specialty consultants

• Code, life-safety, and Title 24 compliance

• Management of permitting with local agencies

• Construction-phase coordination to ensure adherence to the approved drawings

Press:

The Plan: Shell House, developed from a unique building technique, binishells

Architectural Digest: Robert Downey Jr.’s Houses Have Always Been Whimsical and Unexpected

Purist: Susan + Robert Downey Jr.’s Sustainable Sanctuary

Sunset: Robert Downey Jr.’s Malibu House Is a Marvel of Disaster-Ready Design

Photos and video courtesy of Binishells