Robert Downey Jr. is one of Hollywood’s more eccentric hero archetypes, a reality that has never been more apparent than when viewing the actor’s extraordinary Malibu bungalow guesthouse. Located on RDJ’s seven-acre estate, which he purchased in 2009, the bizarre Easter eggs concealed throughout the property are truly fit for a retired superhero.

While RDJ and his wife Susan Downey initially purchased the property a year after the release of the first Iron Man film, it has since become a vehicle for the couple to investigate the everyday sustainable technologies that they are so passionate about. The estate’s solar-powered water systems and wind turbines inspired RJD and his wife to establish the Footprint Coalition venture capital fund, which provides grants to organisations seeking to advance sustainable technology.

The property already featured an elegant 1970s-era home, but RDJ wanted something different and commissioned the construction of a Binishell bungalow guesthouse that appears like it was inspired equally by a Hobbit hole and a Mars colony. The retro-futuristic structure’s moniker is derived from the 1964 construction technique created by industrial designer Dante Bini.

The home’s distinctive appearance is created by a series of nylon-coated neoprene air bladders that are covered in wet concrete before being inflated to create a bubble-like appearance. The visual impression is dominated by organically asymmetric curves and contours that produce a distinctive exterior appearance and open interior spaces.

The open-plan bungalow guesthouse at Binishell features two guest rooms with views of the estate, an expansive kitchen and dining area, a cosy living room, and a home theatre. Like the saltwater aquarium that greets you as you enter the residence, many of the other fittings and details, such as the oval front door and parametric windows, were constructed to order.