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.





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Known Futuro Locations
  1. Australia - University of Canberra, Bldg 5, Bruce ACT 2617 | Confirmed 013124
  2. Australia - Lake Eacham, Queensland (Vicinity Only - Exact Location Withheld) | Confirmed 070921
  3. Australia - Blowhole Creek Rd, Deep Creek SA (Approximate) | Confirmed 030624
  4. Australia - Museum Of Old & New Art, Hobart, Tasmania | Confirmed 102123
  5. Australia - South Morang VIC 3752 (Last Known Location) | Confirmed 083022
  6. Australia - 28 Sparks Rd, Henderson WA 6166 | Confirmed 071722
  7. Australia - High Wycombe, Perth WA (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 110722

  8. Denmark - Egeskovvej 12, 3490 Kvistgård | Confirmed 071222 | m2

  9. Estonia - Lihula, Lääne County, Estonia (Approximate) | Confirmed 090421

  10. Finland - WeeGee Expo Center, Ahertajantie 5, 02100 Espoo | Confirmed 030524
  11. Finland - Kauhava (Vicinity Only - Exact Location Withheld) | Confirmed 092222
  12. Finland - Merimasku (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 110923
  13. Finland - Kaitoomäentie 199 21870 Pöytyä | Confirmed 110323
  14. Finland - Storbroskär, Åland Islands | Confirmed 061122

  15. France - Paris Suburbs (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 090322
  16. France - Aéroport de Lorient Bretagne Sud, 56270 Ploemeur | Confirmed 092423
  17. France - Marché Dauphine, Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen | Confirmed 022024

  18. Germany - Nalepastraße 18-50, 12459, Berlin | Confirmed 011424
  19. Germany - Madertal 6, 72401 Haigerloch | Confirmed 090222
  20. Germany - Die Neue Sammlung, Barer Str. 40, 80333 München | Confirmed 020724
  21. Germany - Herrenweg 27, 65527 Niedernhausen | Confirmed 080523
  22. Germany - Aarstraße 176, 65232 Taunusstein | Confirmed 061322

  23. Greece - Limni, Corfu (Approximate) | Confirmed 041223

  24. Japan - Karuizawa, Nagano (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 041723
  25. Japan - 371-0805 2-38-2 Minami-cho, Maebashi, Gunma | Confirmed 020524

  26. Netherlands - Museumpark 18-20, 3015 CX Rotterdam | Confirmed 100921

  27. New Zealand - Auckland (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed October 2020
  28. New Zealand - Christchurch (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 051821
  29. New Zealand - 115 Huntsbury Ave, Huntsbury, Christchurch | Confirmed 051722 | m2
  30. New Zealand - Invercargill (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 040115
  31. New Zealand - Kaukapakapa (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 091723
  32. New Zealand - 56 McRoberts Rd, Ohoka 7475 | Confirmed 030224 | m2
  33. New Zealand - 44 Selwyn Street, Pohara, 7183 | Confirmed 080820
  34. New Zealand - Richmond (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 071714
  35. New Zealand - 13 Park Rd, Warrington, Otago, 9471 | Confirmed 082922

  36. Norway - Hyttesone I 80, 3296 Nevlunghamn | Confirmed 052622

  37. Republic Of Crimea - Quay Street 7, Hurzuf | Confirmed 081422

  38. Russia - Hotel Tarelka, Teberda District, Dombai Village (Approximate) | Confirmed 101823
  39. Russia - ulitsa Atarbekova, 54, Krasnodar, Krasnodarskiy kray | Confirmed 031024

  40. Sweden - Carl Cederströms gata 2, 586 63 Linköping | Confirmed 050723
  41. Sweden - Norrköping-Bråvalla Airfield (Last Known Location) | Confirmed 083023
  42. Sweden - Radiatorvägen 7 702 27 Örebro | Confirmed 082423
  43. Sweden - Friel Getegården 4, 530 30 Tun (Approximate) | Confirmed 041921

  44. South Africa - R706 Bloemfontein (Approximate) | Confirmed 040621

  45. Taiwan - Tingtão Rd, Wanli District, New Taipei City, Taiwan | Confirmed 022724 | m9

  46. United Kingdom - Marston Park, Tuckmarsh Lane, Frome, Somerset | Confirmed 120923

  47. USA - Idyllwild, CA (Vicinity Only - Exact Location Withheld) | Confirmed 010724
  48. USA - Greater Los Angeles Area, CA (Vicinity Only - Exact Location Withheld) | Confirmed 101620
  49. USA - Sunny Sands Drive & Sahara Terrace, Joshua Tree, CA, USA | Confirmed 030424
  50. USA - Los Angeles, CA (Vicinity Only - Exact Location Withheld) | Confirmed 040923
  51. USA - 4388 Deep Grass Ln, Houston, DE 19954 | Confirmed 110723
  52. USA - Eagle Crest-Hudson Airport, Milton, DE 19968 | Confirmed 111523
  53. USA - 1304 Panferio Dr, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 | Confirmed 021824
  54. USA - 2309 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607 | Confirmed 121322
  55. USA - 1774 Old Peoria Rd, Danvers, IL 61732 | Confirmed 100822
  56. USA - 708 Chs 68, Livingston, IL 62088 (Approximate) | Confirmed 031124
  57. USA - 224 Wright Street, Covington, KY 41011 | Confirmed 021024
  58. USA - Maine (Vicinity Only - Exact Location Withheld) | Confirmed 101020
  59. USA - 310 Beverly Rancocas Rd, Willingboro, NJ 08046 | Confirmed 012124
  60. USA - 9961 Central Ave, Carlisle, OH 45005 | Confirmed 030324 | m2
  61. USA - Oxford, OH (Vicinity Only - Exact Location Withheld) | Confirmed 122121
  62. USA - Austin, TX (Vicinity Only - Exact Location Withheld) | Confirmed 030922
  63. USA - 9573 State Highway 276 W, Royse City, TX 75189 | Confirmed 020324
  64. USA - 458 Marlborough Point Rd, Stafford, VA 22554 | Confirmed 011824
Googie Huts

Many websites and other media report the presence of Futuro Houses in Antarctica. Indeed when we first started out on our "Futuro Journey" we were of the same opinion and we added pages to this website for each of these units. However research later confirmed that the units in the Antarctic region are not Futuros; they are in fact "Googie Huts". For the record we have retained this content on the site and the known Googies are listed below even though the units are not Futuro Houses; more information on "Googie Huts" and the rationale for our decision not to clasify these structures as Futuro Houses can be found on here.
  1. Antarctica - Béchervaise Island | Confirmed 092818 | m2
  2. Antarctica - Hop Island | Confirmed 092818
  3. Australia - Brother's Point, Macquarie Island | Confirmed 092818
  4. Australia - Waterfall Bay, Macquarie Island | Confirmed 092818

Past Futuro Locations

Please Note:

This is not an exhaustive list of previous locations. The Futuros listed have relocated during the time this site has been in existence and new pages within this site were created against the new location. There are many more previous locations that are detailed on various pages including on the individual Futuro pages as a part of the history of each known Futuro and also on pages such as the "Lost Souls" page or the page that lists all of the Futuros that are known to have been demolished/destroyed.

  1. Australia - 8 Hawdon Street, Dickson, ACT, 2602 | Confirmed 092710
    Now located at Australia - University Dr, Bruce ACT 2617 (Approximate) | Confirmed 030118
  2. Australia - Unknown Location | Confirmed 061413
    Now located at New Zealand - Rangiora (Vicinty Only) | Confirmed 080618
  3. Australia - Cheltenham VIC (Last Known Location) | Confirmed 032218
    Now located at Australia - 28 Sparks Rd, Henderson WA 6166 | Confirmed 082821
  4. Belgium - 10 Pastoor Lambertzdreef, 3150 Haacht | Confirmed 2006
    Now located at Greece - Limni, Corfu (Vicinty Only) | Confirmed 091317
  5. Finland - Hirvensalmi (Vicintiy Only) | Confirmed 110111
    Now located at Finland - WeeGee Expo Center, 02100 Espoo | Confirmed 072018
  6. Germany - Hollwieser Straße 7 32602 Vlotho | Confirmed 091306
    Then Germany - Ruhrstraße 110, 58452 Witten | Confirmed 091612
    Now located at Germany - Die Neue Sammlung, München | Confirmed 072018
  7. New Zealand - 6 Fordingbridge Ln, Bexley, Christchurch 8061 | Confirmed 021006
    Then New Zealand - Botanic Gardens, Christchurch 8013 | Confirmed 032507
    Then New Zealand - Cathedral Square, Christchurch | Confirmed 080807
    Now located at New Zealand - 12A Mcleans Island Rd, Harewood | Confirmed 100117
  8. New Zealand - Paringa River, South Island (Approximate) | Confirmed 080618
    Now located at New Zealand - Rangiora (Vicinty Only) | Confirmed 080618
  9. New Zealand - 115 Riria Kereopa Memorial Dr, Raglan 3297 | Confirmed 102715
    Now located at New Zealand - Christchurch (Vicinty Only) | Confirmed 102715
  10. New Zealand - 12A Mcleans Island Rd, Harewood 8051 | Confirmed 110220
    Now located at New Zealand - Kaukapakapa (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 021022
  11. New Zealand - 22 Lake Road, Kaimaumau, Northland 0486 | Confirmed 031813
    Then New Zealand - Rangiora (Vicinty Only) | Confirmed 080618
    Now located at Australia - MONA, Hobart Tasmania | Confirmed 080618
  12. South Africa - 22 High St, Port Alfred | Confirmed 011910
    Now located at United Kingdom - King's Cross, London N1C | Confirmed 080318
  13. Sweden - Tönnebro 124, 820 29 Stråtjära | Confirmed 060216 | m2
    Now located at Sweden - Norrköping-Bråvalla Airfield, Norrköping | Confirmed 101216
    And Sweden - Carl Cederströms gata 2, 586 63 Linköping | Confirmed 050318
  14. Spain - Carrer de la Vall Verda 07184 Calvià | Confirmed 101114
    Then France - Impasse de l'Escalette, 13008 Marseille | Confirmed 051416
    Now located at France - Paris Suburbs (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 040119
  15. USA - 3601 5th Ave San Diego, CA 92103 | Confirmed 072001
    Now located at USA - Big Rock Dr, Idyllwild, CA 92549 (Vicinity Only - Exact Location Withheld) | Confirmed 061818
  16. USA - 7357 Illinois 29, Cantrall, IL 62625 | Confirmed 062709
    Now located at USA - 708 Chs 68, Livingston, IL 62088 | Confirmed 071918
  17. USA - Woodruff, WI 54568 | Confirmed 072001
    Now located at USA - Maine (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 061218
  18. USA - 779 Stevens Rd, Rockwall, TX 75032 | Confirmed 073119
    Now located at USA - Greater Los Angeles Area (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 092618
  19. USA - County Highway J, Rockland, WI 54653 (Approximate) | Confirmed 053118
    Now located at USA - Joshua Tree, CA (Vicinity Only) | Confirmed 121318
Demolished Futuros
  1. Australia - Larrakeyah, Darwin
  2. Australia - Puzzle park, Murray Bridge, SA
  3. Germany - Wittlaer, Düsseldorf
  4. Germany - Birminghamstraße 119, 65934 Frankfurt am Main
  5. Germany - Haigerloch
  6. Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
  7. Taiwan - Tingtão Rd, Wanli District, New Taipei City, Taiwan (4 of 13 Demolished)
  8. USA - Broadkill Beach, DE
  9. USA - 8216 N Semmes St, Tampa, FL 33604
  10. USA - 911 Van Buren Street, Annapolis, MD 21403
  11. USA - 4378 Pleasantview Rd, Harbor Springs, MI
  12. USA - 52232 N Carolina 12, Frisco, NC 27936
  13. USA - 3 Cox Ave, Harvey Cedars, New Jersey, NJ
  14. USA - Seaside Heights, NJ
  15. USA - 1243 West Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063
  16. USA - 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Lost Futuros
  1. Australia - Bungwahl or Byron Bay, NSW | Until 2013 | Now FOUND
  2. Australia - Warwick Farm, Sydney, NSW | Until 1982?
  3. Australia - Doncaster Shoppingtown, Doncaster, VIC | Until Mid 1970's?
  4. Australia - Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby VIC | Until 2004 | Now FOUND HERE & HERE
  5. Australia - Sokil Arts Eco Retreat, Wensleydale, VIC | Until 2006 ?
  6. Belgium - Groenendaal | Until ?
  7. Belgium - Zemst | Until Late 80's?
  8. Canada - Mont Blanc, Quebec | Until ?
  9. Canada - Lake Memphremagog, Quebec | Until ?
  10. Finland - Kerava | Until 1988?
  11. Finland - Konnevesi | Until 1977? | Now FOUND
  12. New Zealand - Pihanga Road, Kuratau | Until Early 2000's
  13. New Zealand - 111 Queen St, Thames 3500 | Until Early 2000's | Now FOUND
  14. Norway - Grorud | 1969
  15. Russia - Sochi | Until ? | Now FOUND
  16. South Africa - Multiple Locations | Until ?
  17. The Netherlands - Unknwon Location | 1970's
  18. Ukraine - Yalta | Until ? | Now FOUND
  19. United Kingdom - Ivy Bank High School, Burnley, Lancashire | Until 1980's
  20. United Kingdom - Courage Low Lane, Wrightington, Lancashire | Until 1970's
  21. United Kingdom - Todmorden, West Yorkshire | Until Early 1980's
  22. USA - 715 Clark Road, Bailey, CO | Until 2009 | Now FOUND
  23. USA - Unknown Location, CO | Until ?
  24. USA - Baltimore, MD | Until ?
  25. USA - Harbor Springs, MI | Until 1979? | One Remains LOST & One Is DEMOLISHED
  26. USA - Seaside Heights, NJ | Until 1980's | DEMOLISHED
  27. USA - Lake Placid, NY | Until early 1970's?
  28. USA - Storytown USA, Lake George, NY | Until Late 1980's?
  29. USA - Multiple Locations, Philadelphia, PA | Until Early 1970's
  30. USA - Route 611, Pipersville, PA | Until Mid/Late 1990's?
  31. USA - 3930 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098 | Until ?
  32. USA - Virginia Beach, VA | Until 2008/10
  33. USA - Janesville, WI | Until early 1970's? | Now FOUND
  34. USA - Lake Michelle, Hurley, WI | Until ?
  35. USA - Prairie du Chien, WI | Until ?
Futuros In Exhibitions
  1. Finn-focus Export Fair | 1968 | England
  2. Internationale Kunststoffhaus Ausstellung der Welt | 1971 | Germany
  3. MUDAM - Tomorow Now ... | 2007 | Belgium
  4. RADAR - The Eagle Has Landed ... | 1990 | Finland
  5. State Fair Of Texas | 1970 | USA
Futuro Myths & Legends
  1. POSSIBLE/LOST | USA - 206 & Mansgrove, Princeton, NJ
  2. DEBUNKED | Australia - Italian Club Rd, Coober Pedy SA
  3. DEBUNKED | Australia - Dobson Street, Watson, ACT
  4. DEBUNKED | Greece - Nikolaos Xasteros Futuristic House
  5. DEBUNKED | New Zealand - 4 Thornicroft Rd , Waitati 9085
  6. DEBUNKED | South Africa - Piering Road, Johannesburg
  7. DEBUNKED | USA - 11374 Tara Dr, Plantation, FL 33325
  8. DEBUNKED | USA - (Near) 8300 Tauchens Rd, Sebring, FL 33872
  9. DEBUNKED | USA - On I-72 Near Monticello, IL
  10. DEBUNKED | USA - Flagship Hotel/Pleasure Pier, Galveston, TX
  11. DEBUNKED | USA - Cox Farms, 15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA
  12. CONFIRMED | USA - County Road J Outside Rockland, WI
  13. CONFIRMED/LOST | New Zealand - Pihanga Road, Kuratau
  14. CONFIRMED/LOST | USA - 4378 Pleasantview Rd, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
  15. CONFIRMED/LOST | USA - Indian River Road, Pungo, VA
  16. CONFIRMED/DEMOLISHED | USA - 911 Van Buren Street, Annapolis, MD 21403
Futuro Manufacturing Statistics & Current Unit Count

The number of Futuro Houses actually manufactured is unknown. Matti Suuronen's Futuro CV suggests 20 units were manufactured by Polykem in Finland but that was created by Suuronen "from memory" in the late 1980's and so may not be 100% accurate. Indeed our research suggests that may well be the case and we can make a rational argument that there were in fact 22 units manufactured by Polykem. As for the rest of the world there were multiple companies in multiple countries involved in Futuro manufacturing and all are long gone so documentation is hard, if not impossible to come by.

Several years ago the number 96 was widely circulated on the web as being the total number of Futuros manufactured; that said we have never been able to find any information whatsoever as to where that number originated or on what documentation it was based. However, lacking any "better" more definitive number, we list the manufacturing/location statistics assuming a total of 96 units were manufactured.

A further complication to the numbers is that over the years many websites have reported that the "Googies" (5 total) were Futuros, albeit modified, but Futuros nonetheless. That is not the case as we document here but should they be included in the statistics based on "conventional wisdom"? Similarly there are the units at Wanli, again "conventional wisdom" considers them to be "modified Futuros"; however many in the "Futuro World" consider them unlicensed "look alikes" separately designed and manufactured and thus not Futuros. Again, the question is "should they be included in the statistics"?

We have chosen to simply present two sets of statistics rather than categorically state one or other version is correct; one version assumes that the "Googies" and the Wanli units are not Futuros and the other that they are. For the record we are of the opinion that neither are Futuros and so we subscribe to the first version of the statistics but, as stated, we present both here so feel free to come to your own conclusion. Also note that if the second version were the "correct" version then there must have been at minimum 98 units manfactured as we can definitively account for that many.

"Googies" & Wanli Are Not Futuros
  • 96 Futuros were manufactured
  • 67 Futuros have been identified/confirmed at 63 separate locations
  • 15 Futuros have been identified/confirmed as demolished
  • 82 total Futuros are accounted for
  • 14 Futuros or 15% remain unaccounted for

"Googies" & Wanli Are Futuros
  • 96 Futuros were manufactured
  • 81 Futuros have been identified/confirmed at 68 separate locations
  • 19 Futuros have been identified/confirmed as demolished
  • 100 total Futuros are accounted for
  • All Futuros are accounted for (plus 4!)

Unknown Futuro Locations


Ronnie Van Hout  - Believe Near Christchurch Airport Before 74 Commonwealth GamesACCA's (Australian Center For Contemporary Art) 2018 lecture series "Uncommon knowledge: artists on their special interests" included a lecture by artist Ronnie Van Hout titled "Ronnie van Hout on UFOs and amateurism".

The lecture can be found on this webpage which also includes the photo seen to the left. Our thanks go to Yves Buysse, a very regular contributor to these pages, who found this and sent us the link.

Though our initial reaction was that this was likely a "new' and unknown location in Australia this turned out not to be the case. We managed to contact Ronnie who told us that, to the best of his childhood recollection, the Futuro had been located somewhere near the Christchurch International Airport before the 1974 Commonwealth Games. So, technically this is not an "unknown location" or at least not totally unknown but neither is it a specific location so for now we have added it here.

We believe it is highly likely (though we cannot be 100% certain of course) that this is one of the two Futuros that were located outside the main stadium at the 1974 Commonwealth Games; more information on those Futuros can be found here.

If you happen to be able to give us any more specific information about where this photo was taken and/or provide any more information about this Futuro or where it might have ended up please let us know.

Christine Shine  - Location Unknown - Dated 1971 - Found At San Diego Swap MeetThis photo was recently sent to us by Christine Shine (thanks so much Christine!) who told us she:

"found the ... photo at the San Diego Swap Meet this weekend of a Blue Futuro taken in 1971. Date stamp on the back is July 20 1971. I don't know where it was taken."

That the photo turned up in San Diego may or may not be indicative of the actual location of the Futuro. That said the only Futuro we are currently aware of that spent time in San Diego was the one currently in Idyllwild and that was never blue; its original color was Harvest Gold which was changed to green at some point and then later it was returned to its original color by its current owner. Bottom line is we have no idea where this photo was taken.

If you are able to identify this location and/or provide any more information about it or where it might have ended up please let us know.

Pierre Bachelot Instagram Photo - Location UnclearWe are always somewhat reticent to categorize a photo as showing an "unknown location" since often times the photo turns out to be simply an unusual or different angle on a location we ought to readily recognize but do not; if that is the case here feel free to remind us how faulty our memory is and let us know what we are missing.

That said, in the case of this photo, posted to Instagram 112918 by Pierre Bachelot, we are also wondering if the photo has been touched up or edited in some way making the location more difficult to recognize. We cannot quite put our finger on why but to us the photo just "looks wrong"; the Futuro looks to be normal and "as photographed" and it does resemble several units but the location itself does not look right for any of those units, at least not based on any photos we can recall right now.

If you are able to identify this location and/or provide any more information please let us know.

Unknown Location 1973 - Likely France Somewhere In a recent Facebook message Norton Cooper sent us a link to a Facebook post by Ina.fr; the post was a of video titled "La pollution plastique - 1973" which includes footage (very brief - only about 2 seconds at 10 seconds into the video) of a Futuro at a location that we do not recall seeing previously.

Given the language and title of the video it seems to us that the Futuro shown was most likely located somewhere in France in 1973 but that is just an assumption; of course it could actually be pretty much anywhere.

If you are able to identify this location and/or provide any more information please let us know.

Identified As Finn-Expo In Christies Catalog But Clearly Not SoThe 2007 Christie's Paris Auction "Arts Décoratifs Du XXème Siècle Et Design" which was held on 112707 included the auction of a Futuro House (now located in Limni, Corfu).

The catalog for this auction included several photos including this one which was identified as being from the 1968 Finnfocus Export Fair.

However this photo shows a Futuro located inside somewhere and not located on the deck of the ferry Finnpartner. The Futuro at the Finnfocus Export Fair was never moved from the deck of the FinnPartner ferry and so this photo is clearly misidentified. Christie's is obviously an extremely reputable company but where "Futuro" is concerned photographs are often misidentified and errors such as this are not unusual.

All of that said we have no idea where this photo was taken hence its addition here. If you are able to identify this location and/or provide any more information please let us know.

Unknown Futuro Location - Tallahassee Democrat 011782The Tallahassee Democrat published 011782 included an article titled "Wanted: Homes For The Homeless". The article begins:

"Technology put a man on the moon, but it cannot build low-cost, mass-produced homes to meet the world's housing needs. Why?"

and goes on to report on the research of a man named Oktay Ural and his dedication to finding an answer to this problem.

The Futuro House is briefly mentioned (though not by name) as one of over 100 existing building systems already in use worldwide; it is described this way:

"... Some are exotic. A fiberglass-reinforced, polyester-plastic developed by a Finnish company (Oy Polykem Ab) turns out dome-shaped homes, retail shops, even drive-in banks that can be assembled like Tinker-Toy parts."

Over and above the somewhat colorful description the most interesting thing about this article, to us at least, is the photo of a Futuro that accompanies it. The photo shows a Futuro with an entry configuration that we have not seen before that appears to us to be unique.

Futuro - Rockland Entrance Compared To Tallahassee Democrat 011782 PhotoThis entrance is very reminiscent of that seen in the Rockland Futuro but it is not exactly the same. Both show an "extended" entrance which runs up to, and merges with, one of the window "cut outs" but with Rockland we see an entrance that is exactly as wide as the window, in the Tallahassee Democrat photo the entrance is ever so slightly narrower and we see the edges of the window "cut out" start to curve back towards center a little before "meeting" the entrance. The image to the left illustrates (Rockland is on the right).

The appearance of this article in a US newspaper along with the entrance being "centered" on a window suggests a US manufactured Futuro (those manufactured in Europe and elsewhere typically had the entry set mid way between two windows) and thus a US location but for us this is at the least an "unknown" location and almost certainly a previously unseen Futuro.

If you are able to add any more specific information about this location please let us know.

Depictions of UFOs and alien activity - AOL - UK Unknown Location 2 FuturosA while back we added a photo grabbed from an episode of The One Show, a magazine show that runs on the British TV channel BBC1. The photo shows a pair of Futuros in what appears to be an exhibition setting in the UK from the 1970's.

This week we came across this photo in an AOL Photo Gallery titled "Depictions of UFOs and alien activity". It is accompanied by this description:

"Described as a leisure home of the 1970s, this flying saucer-shaped house - called the 'Futuro' - is made up of 16 pre-moulded segments of fibreglass. Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, it is being made under license from Oy Polykem of Helsinki by a Lancashire firm (Waterside Plastics Ltd, of Todmorden) and is described as the leisure home of today and tomorrow."

The photos appear to have been taken at different locations but, like the first, this photo looks like it might be from an exhibition setting. Perhaps the differences between the photos might be explained by one or other being taken at different stages of set up in the same exhibition setting or perhaps Waterside Plastics exhibited a pair of Futuros at multiple exhibitions as part of their marketing strategy. As with much of the early history of the Futuro it is difficult to be certain but for now we are listing this as a second and different "unknown location" in the UK dating from the 1970's.

If you are able to add any more specific information about this location please let us know.

Futuro House - Instagram ipalehti - Unknown Location - Maybe Turenki - Maybe DombaiThis photo was posted to Instagram recently by ipalehti; the location was not identified.

The landscape and in particular the ground below the Futuro is hard to make out but the reflections in the windows look like the area is snow covered. Top right of the photo it looks like there may be mountains in the background. Those two factors to me are suggestive of Dombai. The color of the Futuro and the appearance of the roof vents is also reminiscent of Dombai; compare this photo of the Dombai Futuro.

That said with the exception of the mountains in the background top right of the photo, and we am not certain that is what we are seeing, the remaining factors, snow, color and roof vents could also match Futuro #000 when it was located in Turenki; this photo illustrates.

On balance we think this is most likely a photo of Dombai but we certainly cannot be sure. If anyone is able to positively confirm this location please let us know.

Futuro - Screenshot From BBC Show Graham Motley recently contacted us to tell us about a very interesting Futuro "sighting" on British TV. Graham wrote:

"The British TV channel BBC1 has a magazine program called The One Show. On the show broadcast on the evening of 4th November 2015 was a very dull item about another BBC1 show called Strictly Come Dancing. During this item an ageing couple of dancers called Carol and Derek were being interviewed when up popped a photograph of them presumably taken in the 1970s, which has a couple of Futuros in the background. It looks like they were being used for a Solid Fuel (coal) campaign. The show can be accessed for the next few weeks at the URL given. The photo appears at 50 mins and 15 secs into the program."

The streamed show can be accessed here but only from UK IP's so we have been unable to watch the footage. That said both Graham and also Craig Barnes (owner of "Futuro 22") were kind enough to send us screenshots - thanks guys.

The footage did not identify the location; the Futuros were not referenced and just appeared in the backdrop. Waterside Plastics, which manufactured the UK Futuros, is known to have exhibited at the Brighter Homes Exhibition in Manchester, England in 1971 (see the Todmorden Futuro) and this photo certainly has the appearance of an exhibition setting so it may be from there but that is just conjecture.

Given the color of the Futuros it is possible they were the ones that ended up in Burnley, UK and Wrightington, UK but once again that is just conjecture.

If you are able to add any more specific information about this location please let us know.

Futuro - Unknown Location Somewhere In South AfricaThis photo is from the book Mika Taanila: Human Engineering and depicts a Futuro as seen in the iconic Taanila film Futuro: A New Stance for Tomorrow.

While techinically the location of this shot is not completely unknown, it is known to be somewhere in South Africa, nothing more precise than that is known about the location; hence its inclusion here.

If you are able to add any more specific information about this location please let us know.

Futuro - Unknown Location In USA - Early 1970's - Photo From Brett ColquhounBrett Colquhoun has made several contributions to this site and has a great collection of vintage photographs (they can be found in The Colquhoun Archive). Brett recently uncovered this photo in a family album which he says was taken by his father during a trip to the USA in the early 70's.

Our first reaction to this was that it was likely a photo of the first USA manufactured Futuro when it was on display at Philadelphia Airport; not entirely sure why but for some reason that is what it reminded us of. However having looked a little further at photos of Philadelphia Airport (one example can be found here) we no longer consider this a possibility for several reasons: We have amassed several thousand Futuro photographs and it is hard to always bring them all to mind so currently we cannot identify this Futuro and we are adding it here. If you are able to add any more specific information about this location please let us know.

Futuro House - Possibly Keitele - From Museum Of Finnish Architecture Futuro Exhibit Poster 1998 - Photo Credit Matti SuuronenThis photograph, credited to Matti Suuronen, is far too small and unclear to positively identify unless you know the location, which we do not.

The photo is one of several on this poster for the small Futuro Exhibition that took place at the Museum Of Finnish Architecture in the autumn of 1998 that we added to our collection of "Things Futuro" this past week.

It is possible that this photo shows Futuro #000 in Keitele where it served as Matti Suuronen's summer cottage from 1977 until mid-1980s (prior to that it had been in Turenki). If you have any information about this location or can confirm (or for that matter refute) that this is Keitele please let us know.

Futuro House - Unknown Location From Brett ColquhounThis photograph was among several shared by Brett Colquhoun whose father was involved with the Futuro in Australia back in the early 1970's. It shows a location we have not seen before. It is possible it is Albury, NSW but that is just conjecture (for more info see here).

If you have any information about this location please let us know.

Update 052614 | Now Unidentified Again

It seems as if we may have been a little hasty here and that this may not be the Taunusstein Futuro after all (at least not in its current location).

Achim Breiling reminded us that the photo in the Home & Taanila book is annotated "Germany April 1969" (the location is not identified) and he also reminded us about this document, a history of Expotechnik (In German - English copy here), which tells us that the company was founded in 1968 in Kemnat near Stuttgart and that it did not move to Taunusstein until 1971.

Prior to 1971 the company was already involved with Futuro having, among other things, created the Futuro themed Diehl stand for the 1970 CeBIT expo. In theory they could have become involved with Futuro and then moved to a location that already had a Futuro but that seems to be an unlikely scenario. More likely they placed the Futuro when they moved to the Taunusstein campus. With the "unknown location" photo dating from 1969 it now seems to me very unlikely that it was taken at Taunusstein and while it could be a photo of the Taunusstein Futuro at a previous location there is no real evidence for that and it could equally be another unit "somewhere in Germany" in 1969.

This renewed doubt about the location prompted us to take a closer look at the unknown photo and photos of Taunusstein and we noticed a difference we should have noticed before.

Futuro House - TaunussteinTake a look at the "unknown location" photo and this photo of Taunusstein: note the supporting leg struts. In Taunusstein the leg struts are single vertical struts whereas in the "unknown location" photo we see the more usual angled "pairs of leg struts."

None of this is conclusive of course but we have to say that for us this photo has now gone back into the "unknown location" category.

Update 052614 | Now Identified

It seems that we were on completely the wrong track after all; this is a photograph of the Futuro House in Taunusstein. The photo actually appears in the Home & Taanila book Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday on page 46 and is dated April 1969. Our thanks to Yves for a very quick response.

Original Information

Futuro House - Unknown Image From Domus 861This photograph appears on Page 1 of the "Review " section of issue #861 of Italian architecture and design magazine Domus. The location of the photograph is not identified either on the page the photo is shown or in the two page article on the Futuro House on pages 2 and 3.

The article makes mention of the 2000-2001 "Vision & Reality - Conceptions Of The 20th Century" exhibition which was held at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark; Futuro #000 (now at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands) was featured at "Vision & Reality" and we are wondering if this is a shot from there but from an angle different to any we have seen before - having said that we could be on completely the wrong track. If you know this photo and its location please let us know.

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