futuro. looking for the future
In 1968 the Finish architect Matti Suuronen designed a special building, which looked like a space ship, to be used as a holiday home or a ski shelter. He called it Futuro. Futuro is an example of the 60’s’ optimism and freedom. Conquering space, developing IT, extending means of communication ... At that time it seemed as if technology could solve all of society’s problems. And in the western world, what’s more, along with the strengthening of the welfare state, people committed firmly to leisure culture. And, of course, that leisure madness called for a new type of architecture.
Futuro came fitted with all its furniture. It was designed for eight people. Futuro’s greatest innovation, apart from its appearance, was the material used to make the house: Futuro was a house made of plastic. At the time, plastic was very cheap, light and flexible compared with other materials. As the initial idea was to mass produce, its was the perfect raw material. And, as it was a prefabricated house, it could be transported anywhere. Futuro was designed to be transportable by helicopter. Futuro wanted to be a mobile house for a mobile society. But in 1973 the petrol crisis raised the price of plastic and Futuro was left with no future. 100 houses had already been built. 20 of them are in Finland, the rest are all around the world.
futuro’s technical characteristics:
- polyester exterior.
- colours: white, light blue, yellow or red.
- height: 4 m.
- diameter: 8 m.
- weight: 4,000 k.
- ground plan: 25 m2.
- 20 oval windows.
- folding steps at the entrance.
- 6 seat-beds and one double seat-bed.
- chimney.
- kitchen.
- bathroom with toilet.
- can be transported by helicopter.
Futuro came fitted with all its furniture. It was designed for eight people. Futuro’s greatest innovation, apart from its appearance, was the material used to make the house: Futuro was a house made of plastic. At the time, plastic was very cheap, light and flexible compared with other materials. As the initial idea was to mass produce, its was the perfect raw material. And, as it was a prefabricated house, it could be transported anywhere. Futuro was designed to be transportable by helicopter. Futuro wanted to be a mobile house for a mobile society. But in 1973 the petrol crisis raised the price of plastic and Futuro was left with no future. 100 houses had already been built. 20 of them are in Finland, the rest are all around the world.
futuro’s technical characteristics:
- polyester exterior.
- colours: white, light blue, yellow or red.
- height: 4 m.
- diameter: 8 m.
- weight: 4,000 k.
- ground plan: 25 m2.
- 20 oval windows.
- folding steps at the entrance.
- 6 seat-beds and one double seat-bed.
- chimney.
- kitchen.
- bathroom with toilet.
- can be transported by helicopter.
