The Futuro House

The Futuro House was conceived by Matti Suuronen in 1968 as a "portable" ski chalet. It is an iconic piece of architecture and this site is devoted to documenting the history of the Futuro and the current status and whereabouts of the remaining examples.





TheFuturoHouse.com | Latest Site News & Updates

For the latest site news and updates check out the Site Update History Page


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Location Information

Peter S - Deep Creek Futuro - 122617



Info, History, Photos


Update 092621

We came across this photo of this Futuro at its original location on Melbourne Street in Adelaide, South Australia in the early 1970's on Facebook recently.

The photo was posted to facebook by John Burford along with the comment "My pic of it back in 1967. I think I was in a local flying saucer club about then." Clearly it does not date from 1967; the first prototype in Finland had not even been produced at that time but equally clearly this is a very early photo and looks like it was probably taken right around the time the Futuro was installed because the entrance step/door unit is not attached suggesting the Futuro was still being assembled.

Futuro, Melborne Street Adelainde - Date Unknown  - John Burford

Update 081621

While we love all Futuros it does sometimes seem that some are more "photogenic" than others and this Futuro is one that seems to result in great photos more often than others.

Here we have two photos, one an awesome night shot and the other a great aerial view, recently posted to Instagram by owners Naiko Retreat; the originals can be found on Instagram here and here.

Futuro, Deep Creek By Naiko Retreat 081121

Futuro, Deep Creek By Naiko Retreat 081521

Update 061121

We view the Futuro as an architectural icon (though of course we are extremely biased) and we love to see examples of Futuros getting "architectural recognition" so we were really pleased to hear that the most recent recipient of a little "architectural love" was this Futuro which was one of the entrants in the Australian Institute of Architects 2021 SA Architecture Awards.

The Futuro was entered in the "Small Projects" category; information on all of the entrants including the Futuro can be found here.

Unfortunately the Futuro was not among the winners that were announced 061121 but we still love the recognition that comes from just being entered in the first place.

Update 031121

We love this photo; it provides a spectacular look at the secluded nature of this Futuro from a perspective we have not seen before. The photo was recently posted to Instagram by owners Naiko Retreat and the original can be found on Instagram here.

Futuro, Deep Creek By Naiko Retreat March 7th 2021 - 1

Update 082220

These great photos of this Futuro were recently posted to Instagram by owners Naiko Retreat and Max Pritchard Gunner Architects who worked with the owners on the restoration of the unit. The night time shot is impressive and we love the floor they installed as a part of the renovation.

The photos were posted between 080920 and 082120; the originals can be found on Instagram here, here, here and here.

Futuro, Deep Creek By Naiko Retreat August 2020 - 1

Futuro, Deep Creek By Naiko Retreat August 2020 - 2

Futuro, Deep Creek By MaxPritchardGunner Architects August 2020 - 1

Futuro, Deep Creek By MaxPritchardGunner Architects August 2020 - 2

And - moving rapidly from the end to the beginning of this Futuro's life we also recently came across the photo below on Facebook (though it was posted back in September 2019). The photo was posted by Susan Laan in a comment on a post on the page Help save South Australia's history from demolition. Susan indicates the photo is c.1974.

This photo is only the second we have ever seen of this Futuro at its original location on Melbourne Street in Adelaide, South Australia in the early 1970's.

Futuro, Melborne Street Adelainde - c.1974 - Susan Laan

Update 011220

We recently received an email from Aatu Dorochenko who visited this Futuro 010320. Aatu took the photos below which are shared here with permission (thanks Aatu); Aatu's original photos can be found on Flickr here.

Aatu also added some additional information and links relating to the Futuro. Among other things the information provided confirmed the Futuro is owned by the Naiko Retreat. The retreat is self-described as being:

"Located on the coastline of South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, Naiko Retreat is a refuge from the everyday. Time at Naiko will allow you to disconnect from the world and let what truly matters come into focus."

In respect of the Futuro itself the website has this to say:

"Shaped like a flying-saucer, this stand-alone futuristic space is a place Naiko guests can use for meditation, inspiration and reflection."

The Naiko Retreat Instagram account adds that:

"Remedial massage and selected spa treatments can be arranged in the Futuro."

The retreat can accommodate up to 6 guests and can be booked for 990 AUD Mon thru Thu and 1200 AUD Fri thru Sun.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Aatu Dorochenko - 010320 - 1

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Aatu Dorochenko - 010320 - 2

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Aatu Dorochenko - 010320 - 3

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Aatu Dorochenko - 010320 - 4

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Aatu Dorochenko - 010320 - 5

Update 090218

Between November 2017 and March 2018 Peter S travelled thousands of miles and visited this Futuro as well as those in Canberra, Cheltenham, High Wycombe and South Morang. He visited this Futuro on 122617 and the photos below document the appearance and condition of the Futuro's exterior and interior at that time. Thanks for sharing Peter.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 1

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 2

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 3

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 4

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 5

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 6

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 7

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 8

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 9

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 10

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 11

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 12

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 13

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 14

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 15

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 16

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 17

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 18

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 19

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 20

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 21

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 22

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 23

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 24

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 25

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 26

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 27

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 28

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 29

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 30

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 31

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 32

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 33

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 34

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 35

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 36

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 37

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Peter S - 122617 - 38

Update 090217

Scott McCarten, who runs the Urban Exploration blog Autopsy Of Adelaide recently had the opportunity to visit and photograph this Futuro. These photos, published on Scott's blog 082917, provide a great look at the Futuro's interior. They are shared here with Scott's permission; thanks Scott.

Interesting to note from Scott's blog post that the Futuro is currently undergoing refurbishment and restoration as part of the development of a nature retreat on the property by owner Joe Emanuele.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 1

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 2

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 3

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 4

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 5

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 6

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 7

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 8

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 9

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 10

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - Scott Mccarten - 11

Update 051416

These two photos, by MaxPritchardGunner Architects, show this Futuro as it appeared on 040716. The second photo provides the first interior view we have seen of this Futuro and, though the view is limited, it looks like the interior is as well maintained as the exterior. MaxPritchardGunner Architects original photos were posted to Instagram and can be found here and here.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - 040716 - By MaxPritchardGunner Architects - 1

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - 040716 - By MaxPritchardGunner Architects - 12

Update 030516

Sharon P. sent us the photo below (thanks Sharon) which shows this Futuro on Melbourne Street in Adelaide, South Australia in the early 1970's. This is the only photo we have seen of this Futuro at its original location.

We are not sure where the photo originated, possibly on adelaidenow.com.au but that is a subscription site and we do not have a subscription, so if anyone can point us in the direction of the "owner" of this photo we would appreciate it so that we can provide proper attribution for its use here.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia When On Melbourne Street Adelaide 1970's

Update 011015

The photo below is courtesy of P. Johnson Tailors (Melbourne & Sydney); it is probably the most interesting photograph we have seen of this Futuro; almost "other worldly" in appearance. It was posted to Instagram by (pjohnsontailors) back in July 2013.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia By P. Johnson Tailors

Update 100713

The two close up photos below were captured by birdsrule on 090513 and are shown here with permission.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia By birdsrule 1

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia By birdsrule 2

Update 082413

This Futuro made an appearance in a local newspaper The Advertiser on 050613. The article, seen below, included a nice photo of the Futuro in its current location as well as a smaller inset photo we had not seen before of the unit in its previous location in Adelaide.

We also read in the article that in 1997 the Futuro and the rugged coastal land upon which it sits (12 hectares or approximately 30 acres) was put up for sale for $135,000; the article does not indicate if a sale actually took place.

Our thanks to Scott Hedges for sending us the information and the shot of the newspaper article.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - The Advertiser 050613

Update 061613

These four photos were taken by Choppy123 and accompanied an 061113 blog posting titled "Futuro House (UFO House) here in Adelaide." The photos are shown here with permission - thanks Choppy123.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia By Choppy 123 - 1

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia By Choppy 123 - 2

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia By Choppy 123 - 1

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia By Choppy 123 - 2

Update 101312

In a couple of June 2012 posts on the WeeGee Futuro Facebook Page Marcus Brownlow recounts a litle of the history of this Futuro.

Marcus tells us that the Futuro was owned by a man called Derek Jolly. By all accounts Derek Jolly, a local entrepreneur, was a "larger than life" character. Jolley's Futuro "landed" on Melbourne Street in Adelaide in the early 1970's and apparently caused something of a stir among local residents who felt it did not fit with the character of the area.

The Futuro was located on a vacant piece of land on Melbourne Street until the land was purchased for the construction of an apartment building. As a result the Futuro was then relocated to Provost Street in Adelaide.

This photograph is from the North Adelaide Society Inc Photographic Survey and shows the Futuro as it looked in 1976 on Provost St. The photograph was taken as part of a photographic survey conducted during the late 1970s and early 1980s by members of the society keen to keep a photographic record of every property in North Adelaide at the time. It is displayed here with the permission of the North Adelaide Society.

Futuro - Adelaide - Provost Street

Sometime later the Futuro was moved around 100 km south to it's present location.

In 2005 Annabelle Collett (dead link - pdf here) was commissioned by the Adelaide City Council to create a memorial plaque to commemorate Derek Jolly. This photograph of the plaque is by superdiscobrakes and was taken 071108.

Derek Jolly Memorial Plaque

Marcus Brownlow tells us that the images on the plaque represent Derek's Jolly's passions; car racing, photography, music, fine wine and, in the center, his Futuro.

The same history, though in less detail, is also recounted in an 031810 blog post on the 891 ABC Adelaide website.

On another note these four photos were taken by liam.jon_d on 082711 (which is now the latest confirmed date for this Futuro). We particularly like the first one which is crystal clear and shows the Futuro in great detail.

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - liam.jon_d 1

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - liam.jon_d 2

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - liam.jon_d 3

Futuro, Deep Creek, Australia - liam.jon_d 4

Original Information 062312

While searching for Futuro House information the other day we stumbled upon a blog by ATTS on the site TravelBlog the other day. The blog is an interesting account of walking the Heysen Trail (Get this! A 1200 km Walking Trail) in South Australia; ATTS is braver and more adventurous than we are.

Anyway on the blog was an image of a Futuro (new to us) seen along the way. Some work in Google Earth and Google Maps confirmed the Futuro as being on site as at 012310.

We have not been able to find any other information about this Futuro so if you know anything or have images we could use please do let us know.

Sources
In Books & Magazines
Latest Confirmation

Deep Creek - Latest Confirmation - 030624 - naikoretreatThis photograph by naikoretreat posted 030624.

The original photograph can be seen on Instagram here.

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