$2 million aerial shape ‘Bubble House’ was built using a giant balloon

Architect Wallace NeffAirform’s iconic Airform “bubble house” has returned to the Los Angeles County market for the first time since its elegant restoration, breathing new life into its groundbreaking 1950s modern design.

Known as the Wallace Neff Shell House, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom Pasadena home is the last surviving example of the architect’s Airform homes, which were designed in the 1940s in an effort to combat the housing crisis.

To build a structure in the most cost-effective manner possible, Neff, who was best known for designing homes for a host of A-listers, including Judy Garland And Groucho Marx– came up with a ‘radical’ new design technique that effectively used the basic principles of papier-mâché to create a domed home.

The process involved inflating a giant balloon, which was then covered with steel mesh and sprayed concrete to create the basic structure, avoiding the need for more expensive materials, such as wood and nails.

Neff called the subsequent houses his “Airform designs,” later revealing that the idea for the unique construction technique came to him while shaving at his sink.

“A bubble appeared and stuck firmly against my finger… and I thought, ‘Build with air,’” the architect, who died in 1982, revealed.

In addition to the affordability factor, the Airform homes, which took just 48 hours to build, were also built to be incredibly durable, able to “withstand earthquakes, hurricanes and fire,” a statement shared with Realtor.com® revealed.

“Also called the ‘Bubble House,’ this experimental post-war residential concept, a reinforced concrete structure erected with an inflatable balloon and then sprayed with gunite, combines futuristic engineering with sculptural domestic design,” the listing notes.

“The Shell House represents a unique chapter in American architectural history, an extraordinarily rare convergence of preservation, experimentation and design vision.”

According to the Los Angeles TimesNeff built approximately 2,500 Airform homes during his lifetime, although he planned to build a maximum of 400,000, with the building at 1097 S. Los Robles Ave. was the only surviving example of these designs.

Still, Neff is said to have considered the Airform technique his proudest achievement, even after he was called in to design homes for Hollywood’s most prominent stars.

Built in 1946, the home looks, at least on the surface, much the same as it did when Neff completed it as the first example of his Airform quarters. However, it has has undergone several upgrades in the 80 years since its completion.

The first significant change occurred in the 1960s, when an underground air raid shelter was added to the property, dug 45 meters below a small plot of land where a detached studio now stands. With an area of ​​approximately 228 square meters, the shelter is still accessible to this day.

That studio space, which measures more than 1,000 square feet, could represent a very attractive feature for buyers eager to earn additional income — with the listing noting that plans have already been submitted to convert the building into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), which would add yet another appeal to the striking home.

As for the “bubble house” itself, the property spans just over 1,200 square feet, all of which has recently undergone a careful renovation at the hands of the sellers, former Walt Disney Co. executives. Priya Girishankar and Carvana director Damon Cleckler.

The duo purchased the home for $1.68 million in June 2025, when renovation work had already begun by a previous owner, and they vowed to complete the in-depth project, bringing a new perspective to Neff’s legendary work.

“The result is an exceptionally thoughtful restoration that preserves the radical architectural spirit of the house while enhancing its livability and comfort,” the statement said.

Designed to span just one floor, the property features a spacious and open floor plan, with a large living room and dining room at the heart of the home. Complete with a circular fireplace to further enhance the dome structure, the room also features a curved sofa that seamlessly follows the line of the uniquely shaped walls, ensuring no space is wasted due to the shape of the house.

Right next to the living room is the kitchen, which features newly installed wooden cabinets and a large window that floods the space with light.

Behind the fireplace is an elegant tiled bathroom with walk-in shower, while two spacious bedrooms complete the offering in the main house. Further living and entertaining areas can be found in the detached studio space, which has its own living area, dining area, bedroom and bathroom, effectively serving as its own abode, although there is no kitchen.

Although the studio is not built with the same curved walls as the ‘bubble house’ itself, careful attention to detail has been given to the design, with exposed wooden beams in the main room and two sets of double doors providing access to the property’s grounds.

Set behind an elegant concrete wall and large metal gates, the corner plot of the property offers ample privacy and unparalleled outdoor space.