Futuro
The shape, reminiscent of a flying saucer, and the structure's airplane hatch entrance has made the houses sought after by collectors.
The Futuro house was a product of post-war Finland, reflecting the period's faith in technology, the conquering of space, unprecedented economic growth, and an increase in leisure time.
The material chosen for the project—fiberglass-reinforced polyester plastic—was familiar to Suuronen and was previously used in the design of a large plastic dome for the roof of a grain silo in Seinäjoki.
[1] An excerpt from a February 1970 copy of Architecture d’aujourd’hui describes "Futuro" as: the first model in a series of holiday homes to be licensed in 50 countries, already mass-produced in the United States, Australia and Belgium.
The area is 50 sq m, the volume 140 cubic m, divided by adaptable partitions.By the mid-1970s, the Futuro was taken off the market, having been poorly received, since its inception — its avant-garde construction, appearance and materials having negatively influenced public acceptance.
[2] The first Futuro House that was erected near Lake Puulavesi in Finland elicited public protest because it looked too unnatural for the rustic environment.
[4] Shortly after the turn of the century, a Futuro House was purchased on Broadkill Beach, Delaware, and destroyed to make way for a double-wide modular home.
Fewer than 100 were made and it is estimated that today around 60 of the original Futuro Houses survive,[5] owned mostly by private individuals.
The thesis is openly available via the Finnish Theses database and contains a large number of indoor detail photographs and drawings of the Futuro House.
This Futuro house, the only one in the UK, was on display to the public as part of an exhibition on the rooftop of Matt's Gallery, London until December 2014.
Their promotion emphasized the versatility of the home in different locations and an excerpt from a Playboy Magazine[15] advertisement reads, "The FUTURO's steel-legged base is adaptable to virtually any terrain, from flatground to a 20 degree incline ...
Duncan McIntyre bought the Futuro and moved it from its original location in Greensborough (Melbourne, Victoria) to the track.
A Futuro House was used as a green room for artists at the Falls Festival in Lorne (Victoria), before its Kyneton owner sold it in 2016 to be shipped to Perth (Australia).
The final houses are located in Deep Creek, South Australia,[17] and on the campus grounds of the University of Canberra.
[15] A Futuro House located in Frisco, NC and featuring alien memorabilia, was a roadside attraction on the Outer Banks for many years, though it had fallen into disrepair[20] before being completely destroyed by fire on 19 October 2022.
