McLeans Island Rd. Futuro House. Matti Suuronen.
Stored amongst a bunch of relocated state houses out by Christucrh Airport sits this martian relic from the early 70s. Finnish architect Matti Suuronen designed this UFO shaped dwelling in 1968, initially for use as a ski-cabin or holiday home. Only 96 were ever made and production ceased in 1974 as the oil crisis pushed up the price of plastic.
The idea behind the design reflects the optimism of the sixties. At the time people believed technology could solve all problems for the human race. The ideal was of a new era, a space-age, where everybody would have more leisure time to spend on holidays away from home.
The Futuro house was completely furnished and could accommodate 8 people. It was constructed entirely out of reinforced plastic, a new, light and inexpensive material back then. The plan was to mass-produce it, so it would be cheap enough to house all people around the earth. Because it was so light-weight, it was easily transportable by helicopter. Mobile living was the new possibility for the future. People could now take their moveable home with them, to wherever they went, and live like modern nomads.
April 7th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Somebody has created a house around two Futuros up the top of Huntsbury Hill. Seriously.
March 27th, 2010 at 8:58 am
[...] (images via: Hooked On Houses, P.S.1 and Christchurch Modern) [...]
September 20th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Do you know if the one at McLeans Island is for sale and if so how much it would be?
Thanks
Margaret
October 21st, 2010 at 11:06 am
Just repeating Margaret’s question – is the one out at Mcleans Island Rd for sale, and if so how much???
Regards
Annabelle
October 24th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
A quick phone call to http://www.kinghouseremovals.co.nz reveals “it’s in storage on behalf of a private owner”. No further info I’m afraid.
May 3rd, 2011 at 9:02 pm
I know there are most likely patents and so on, but could we not produce something similar in the wake of the September and February earthquakes for people who are looking at rebuilding and need accomodation. I love the concept and would love to use one on site while we rebuilt. Heck, I would love to live in one permanently (if I didn’t have a husband and three boys!). I love your website by the way and have found great inspiration from it. Thanks.
March 20th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
They were made in New Brighton (Wainoni Rd) apparently and the molds are still around… or so they say.
July 3rd, 2013 at 9:21 am
[...] domestic buildings, as well as other bits of my home town (for instance, I’d often wondered what this was). There’s also a cool self-guided tour of Warren & Mahoney’s Christchurch that’s [...]