What the future used to look like

Futurama

As the year begins, we can't help but wonder what the future might hold. When looking back at future-visions from the past, the experimental architecture of the 1960s holds quite a few ideas that haven't lost their edge. In postwar society, the prospect of limitless economic and demographic growth prompted many utopian designs for mobile living units, from miniature dwellings to megastructures.

On her recent trip to Paris our beloved photo editor Jules stumbled upon the Futuro House by Finnish Architect Matti Suuronen. Originally conceived as a ski cabin in 1964, it's a transportable living capsule that can be set up in any rough terrain, raised on legs with low wind resistance.

Looking at the fun, ellipsoid shape of the Futuro, we find ourselves lost in imaginative scenarios of living in a flying saucer, like nomads moving from one location to the next whenever we wish.

At around 300 square feet (28 square meters), the Futuro House was designed to accommodate up to eight people. Made from lightweight fiberglass-reinforced plastic, it was suitable for mass fabrication, and although production was quickly suspended—partly due to the oil crisis in 1973—there are still dozens of Futuros spread across the world.

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