Klein Bottle house designed by McBride Charles Ryan
This 2,777 square foot holiday home is located in the Mornington Peninsula, south-east of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. The house has become the mathematical concept of the Klein Bottle. The walls of this house have origami-like facets and folds. This strategy has unlocked a new series of relationships and sequential spatial experience. The ‘contents’ of the ‘bottle’ are a rectilinear platform and walls which make the abstract geometry inhabitable.
“The surfaces that mathematicians have developed hold intrigue for architects as they hold a promise of new spatial relationships and configurations. Technology (CAD) has played an important part in all this, it is now more possible to efficiently describe more complex shapes and spaces and communicate these to the build. Previously the more orthogonal means of communication – plans, sections and elevations naturally encourage buildings which are more easily described in these terms, i.e. boxes.” Says McBride Charles Ryan
The house revolves around a central courtyard picking up the bedrooms of the house as it ascends, the journey ending in the great living room. There is a sense of both being near and far to all occupants. Its endless, curling shell-like quality particularly in the tee tree brings about a comforting togetherness. Externally the building is predominantly clad in cement sheeting, simultaneously recalling both folded origami, tents and the ubiquitous ‘fibro-shack’. The building is supported on a traditional timber stud frame – pushed to its physical limit.
courtesy of McBride Charles Ryan
Project info:
Architects: McBride Charles Ryan
Location: Mornington Peninsula, VIC, Australia
Architect: McBride Charles Ryan – Rob McBride & Debbie-Lyn Ryan
Project Team: Drew Williamson, Fang Cheah
Photographs: John Gollings
Clients / Builders: Donna & Mark
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.