26 Apr 2015

Architects' striking designs stir imagination

1:47 pm on 26 April 2015

Australian architect couple Rob McBride and Debbie Ryan have revealed the influences on their extraordinary designs - from driftwood to Harry Potter.

Klein Bottle House won 'World's Best House' at the World Architectural Festival in 2009.

Klein Bottle House won 'World's Best House' at the World Architectural Festival in 2009. Photo: SUPPLIED

As the co-founders of Melbourne architecture studio McBride Charles Ryan, they have received endless prizes.

These include - in 2009 - 'World's Best House' for Klein Bottle House, which is designed to give the illusion of spiralling back through itself.

It was inspired by the mathematical problem of the same name.

They are currently on tour for Architectural Design New Zealand's Stirring the Imagination seminar series, and spoke to Sunday Morning's Wallace Chapman:

View Radio New Zealand's full photo gallery of the couple's work

The couple also designed the brightly-coloured Dallas Brooks community primary school.

The couple also designed the brightly-coloured Dallas Brooks community primary school. Photo: John Gollings Photography

Rob McBride and Debbie Ryan's 'Cloud House'

Rob McBride and Debbie Ryan's 'Cloud House' Photo: John Gollings Photography

The couple's so-called 'Letterbox House' features a striking wood panel.

The couple's so-called 'Letterbox House' features a striking wood panel. Photo: John Gollings Photography