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My Collection - Futuro Memorabilia, Collectibles, Books, & Magazines

My interest in the Futuro House quickly became my passion for the Futuro House and eventually, as I am sure my wife would say, my obsession with the Futuro House. I have now begun to collect books, magazines and other items that related to the Futuro House. This collection, as is the case with all collections, is starting off relatively small and with easy to obtain pieces but over time I hope to grow it into a collection worthy of a "Futuro Nut". Given that I will likely never have the resources to buy, transport and restore a Futuro this collection is, at least for me, the next best thing.

Go To | Memorabilia & Collectibles | Books | Magazines | Newspapers

A Note On Copyright Material

Please note that this page contains screenshots of various books, magazines and other items in my collection. Most of these items, and certainly all of the books and magazines are subject to copyright and the images are deliberately of a fairly low resolution and are used here simply to catalogue my collection and to provide you with a glimpse of what you would be getting if you chose to follow a similar path to me and purchase any of these items for yourself. If you wish to display any of this subject matter on your own website or otherwise use it please respect the publishers copyright and purchase your own copy.

If You Are Planning To Buy Any Of The Books Or Items Listed Here Please Read

This page is not designed to be advertising and I am not trying to sell you anything. However there are expenses with keeping up a website and I spend a great deal of time researching and trying to maintain this site as the most up to date and complete Futuro House resource on the web. So if, and only if, you already intend to purchase for yourself something I have in this collection please consider using the links provided here to do so if the price is right [I strongly suggest exploring other online retailers as well before making a purchase; most of the links here are to Amazon and while their prices are mostly fair they are not always the cheapest]. Doing this will not increase your cost but it will earn me a small [and it is small] commission on the sale and you know what the proverbial "they" say - every little helps!

Memorablia & Collectibles | Updated 100713

     *** Latest Additions

Slightly Odway | Music CD | Purchased 080212
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Slightly Odway   Slightly Odway by Jebediah features cover art that includes a shot of the Futuro currently in storage somewhere in High Wycombe, Perth and formerly located at Leach Highway/Karel Avenue. The Futuro is currently the focus of a Facebook Group "Bring Back The Leach Hwy/Karel Ave Spaceship".


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Futuro Brochure 1970's | Sales Materials | Purchased 080512

This is what I believe is an original Futuro brochure; presumably from the early 1970's. The brochure features 4 pages; the front shows a photograph of a Futuro [though black and white it looks like a "mirror image" of the photo seen in color in the book Where's My Space Age?]. There are three photos and a schematic inside and a floorplan on the back.

The brochure was originally from the Futuro Corporation, PA [this is printed on the front] but it appears that it was actually distributed by a Delaware distributor. There is a "stamp" on the front [very faint and impossible to read in the photograph] that reads "New Dimensions Inc. Distributors For Futuro Fiberglass Homes, Route 1 Box 272, Milton, Delaware 19968.

Futuro Brochure [DE] Front  Futuro Brochure [DE] Back

Futuro Brochure [DE] Inside

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Futuro Flyer 1970's | French | Sales Materials | Purchased 110912

This item is an original French language Futuro Flyer [single sheet printed on both sides]; though I do not know exactly it is almost certainly from the early 1970's. On the front [?] the flyer lists the "technical specifications" of the Futuro House [though in general terms rather than specific detailed] and on the back [?] there are schematics showing the exterior elevation and a typical internal layout.

At the bottom of the text on the front [?] there is a statement that tells the reader to "contact us" with any questions but the flyer contains no contact information. Though only a theory that suggests to me that this was probably a technical insert in a package that contained more materials; marketers today, and likely back in the 70's, often put together a promotional folder that includes various inserts providing information on different aspects of whatever was being publicized.

I will be trying to research this further though it may be hard to find out any definite information. If you know anything about the background of this piece I would really like to hear from you.

The flyer is in French; I have entered the text into Google Translate to get a rudimentary translation [download pdf file]. All machine translations are a little suspect so the translation is clearly not anything like 100% accurate; at some point I will get a "real" translation. If you have such a translation or can help create one it would be much appreciated.

French Futuro Flyer Front  French Futuro Flyer Back

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WeeGee Exhibition Brochure 2012 | Collectibles | Purchased 110912

Futuro #001 spent most of its life in Hirvensalmi, Finland on the property of entertainer Matti Kuusla. In 2011 the Futuro was purchased by The WeeGee Exhibition Center in Espoo, Finland and restored. The Futuro was open to the public through the summer of 2012 [050812 through 091612] and the intention is that it will remain with the Exhibition Center and be open to the public each summer. This is an original Finnish language version of a flyer for the exhibition in the summer of 2012.

Photos on the flyer include the Futuros located in Hirvensalmi [now Espoo], Dombai and Luumäki [now almost certainly the unit located in Pöytyä].

Finnish WeeGee Exhibition Brochure 2012 Outside

Finnish WeeGee Exhibition Brochure 2012 Inside

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Futuro Stamp | Numerical Cancel | Postal Items | Purchased 111612

Wikipedia defines Numerical Cancels as "cancels whereby numbers were used to identify specific post offices." I am not stamp collector and know nothing about stamp collecting; to be frank the explanation does not mean a whole lot to me. Nevertheless this is an example of a "numerical cancel" featuring the 1971 Futuro Stamp. Other examples of the Futuro Stamp and Covers in my collection can be found here, here, here and here.

The Futuro Stamp - Numerical Cancel

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Press Photo, Belgium - 083171 | Photographs | Purchased 111912

This is an original Press Photo from 1971. The photo is 10¼" by 8" and shows an unusual grouping of three Futuros. The photo is dated 083171, stamped by the Keystone Press Agency, Inc and carries a sticker on the back which reads:

"AUGUST 31st. 1971. ... NOT 'FLYING SAUCERS' ... No - these are not flying saucers landing in Belgium, - but futuristic looking bungalows. They were designed by Finnish architect, Matti Suuronen, and made of fibre glass. ... H/Keystone ... /838111

There are several references to there being three Futuros in Belgium [see the Tildonk Futuro page for details] in the early 70's and most suggest they were initially together at a single location; almost certainly this is a photograph of those Futuros given the reference to Belgium and also to the almost complete lack of any other examples of three Futuro's together.

The only other photograph of three Futuros together I have seen can be found on page 132 of the April 2001 issue of Casa Brutus Magazine [#13]. I have no idea if anything in the magazine could help place the photograph, I cannot read it and have not yet found anyone to translate from Japanese but what is extremely interesting is that in that photo one of the Futuros is marked with the words "Futuro Bungalows".

I have only seen the word "bungalow" used to describe a Futuro in two places; the photo in Casa Brutus and the text on the back of this photo. It seems to me that perhaps both photos are of the same grouping of Futuros but from different angles; obviously that is just conjecture but there is nothing I can see in the photographs that precludes that possibility and, as indicated earlier, I have never come across any other grouping of three Futuros.

This photograph was taken at 50°47'18.64"N 4°25'14.94"E - there is a screenshot showing the location as it currently appears in Google Maps on the Belgian Futuro page.

Keystone Agency Press Photo - Three Futuros In Belgium - Front Photo

Keystone Agency Press Photo - Three Futuros In Belgium - Back Photo

Keystone Agency Press Photo - Three Futuros In Belgium - Front Scan

As I found previously with the Baltimore Sun Wirephoto there is a drastic difference between the images resulting from me scanning and photographing this photo with the actual appearance of the photo being somewhere in between the two. The top two images show front and back photographed; the last image is a scan of the photo; it is interesting to note my scanner chose to "crop" a large portion of the sky, too white I assume. The actual aspect of the photo is represented in the top two images.

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Music From The Film "Futuro" | Music CD | Purchased 120112

Juno Specter   "Futuro - Music From The Film Futuro: A New Stance For Tomorrow" by Ektroverde is the soundtrack from the 1998 Mika Taanila short film of the same name. I have to confess that musically it is not really my "cup of tea" but hey - the CD has Futuro on the cover so I guess it can't be too bad.


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This is, in my opinion at least, one of the coolest additions to my collection to date; a matchbox that features the Dombai Futuro. It is actually large for a matchbox measuring approximately 8½" by 2½" and it is in "as new" condition with the strike strip never having been used and containing what appears to be its full and original complement of green headed matches.

Of course I cannot read any of the text; best guess is that is was either sold at the Hotel Tarelka where the Futuro serves as a "mess hall" for the hotel or as a souvenir from some other business in Dombai that featured the Futuro as one of the area's landmarks. If anyone can tell me what the text says I would appreciate it.

Matchbox Featuring Dombai Futuro Front

Matchbox Featuring Dombai Futuro Open

Matchbox Featuring Dombai Futuro Back

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Press Photo, Hiekkaharju - 042568 | Photographs | Purchased 022013

This is an original UPI [United Press International] Press Photo that was taken early 1968 and is one a pair, the other half of which is a photograph of the exterior of the Futuro House taken the same day. The annotation on the back indicates Helsinki but a comparison of the exterior photograph and a photograph of a Futuro at the Polykem Plant found on page 24 of the book "Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday" edited by Marko Home & Mika Taanila confirms that the photographs were taken at the Polykem Plant in Hiekkaharju. Given the date it seems most likely that this is a photograph of Futuro #000 though I cannot be certain of that.

On the rear of the photograph is the date it was taken, 042568, the date it was used 080168 [though there is no indication of what publication it was used in], a handwritten annotation that simply reads "House Futuro" and a typed note that reads:

"Space Age Living | Helsinki, Finland: Inside the ellipsoid house, (left to right) architect Matti Suuronen, technician Heikki Tikkanen, Sven Lindforas, Yrjo Ronkka and Peter Stude discuss its floor plans. The sides of the one-room house will be fitted with specially designed furniture, while a combination open fireplace and grill will be in place in the middle of the room."

The annotations on the back of the photograph do not tell us the roles of all of the individuals seen in the photograph but Anna-Maija Kuitunen's thesis "Futuro no. 001 : Documentation and Evaluation of Preservation Need" tells us that Sven Lindforas was "in charge of the manufacturing technique", Yrjo Ronkka was an engineer dealing with structural calculations and Peter Stude was the project foreman.

Press Photo, UPI 042568 - Hiekkaharju - Front Photo

Press Photo, UPI 042568 - Hiekkaharju - Back Photo

Press Photo, UPI 042568 - Hiekkaharju - Front Scan

As always there are significant differences in palette between photos of a photo and scans of a photo. In this case the top two images are photos front and back; the last shot is a scan. The palette of the original photo in this case is actually somewhere between those seen in the photo and the scan.

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Press Photo, Turenki? - 012970 | Photographs | Purchased 032313

This is an original Press Photo purchased from the Rogers Photo Archive and shows a white Futuro partially covered in snow located on a snow covered hillside with trees around it.

There are several annotations on the back of the photo; among them is one dated 020170 that reads:

"The Futuro, Leisure Home which will be the star of the 10-day Colorado Garden and Home Show opening Friday at Currigan Hall."

That could be interpreted as meaning the Futuro in the photo was the one being exhibited or it could be interpreted as meaning the photo was simply an "example" of a Futuro and not the one being displayed as part of the exhibition.

I have not had the time to research the photo but looking at the location I tend to think this is a "stock" press photo and not a photo of the Futuro being exhibited; the location simply does not look like an exhibition site and in any case the annotation on the back of the photo references "Currigan Hall" [demolished 2002] which suggests an indoor exhibition.

The earliest stamped date on the back of the photo is 012970 and I imagine that is the date the photo was taken. At that time Futuro #000 was located in Turenki, Finland and the photograph seems very similar to others I have seen of the Futuro in Turenki; I cannot be certain without further research but I have strong feeling this was a photo of Turenki used in a US newspaper reporting on the 1970 Colorado Home & Garden Show.

Press Photo, 012970 - Turenki? - Front Photo

Press Photo, 012970 - Turenki? -  - Hiekkaharju - Back Photo

Press Photo, UPI 042568 - Hiekkaharju - Front Scan

As always there are differences in palette between photos of a photo and scans of a photo though in this case they are more similar than usual. The top two images are photos front and back; the last shot is a scan. The palette of the original photo in this case is very close to that seen in the top photo. The scan disregarded a section of the hillside at the bottom and returned a cropped version of the photo.

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Dreaming Future House : 1968 | DVD Video | Purchased 070313

Japanese DVD - Dreaming Future House   Mika Taanila directed the film "Futuro: A New Stance for Tomorrow." The film features some great early footage of several Futuros along with interviews with several Futuro "celebrities" including, among others, Matti Suuronen [architect and Futuro designer], Matti Kuusla [owner of Futuro 001], Ensio Söderström [CEO of Polykem Oy] and Charles Wilp [artist & Futuro owner].

This is a Japanese subtitled version of the 1998 Taanila film.

If you do not speak Japanese a DVD featuring a copy of the film along with many wonderful extras comes with the book Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday edited by Marko Home & Mika Taanila. In addition you can obtain a copy of the film - without the extras - as a part of the compilation DVD Aike & Aine.

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Set Of 3 Original 1970's Postcards | Postal Items | Purchased 080313

I correspond regularly with several Futuro owners and fans and from time to time we trade memorabilia. Recently I was able to send a couple of photos to one such fan and in return I got a package of several interesting Futuro items. In the package was this set of three original postcards from the 1970's showing the French Futuro on display at La Défense in Paris, France.

The French Futuro was at La Defence from 1968 until sometime in the 70's. I am not sure exactly when it was moved from that location; I originally though 1972 but based on the evidence of these postcards and a photo I recently came across I believe it was there until at least 1977. You can find much more information on my French Futuro page.

Two of the three postcards were actually mailed; one was never used. Of the two that were mailed one has a clear postmark indicating it was mailed 121975; the postmark on the other is obscured.

A fourth postcard, this one dating from 1978, can be found here.

Futuro, La Défense, 1970's - Postcard 1 Front

Futuro, La Défense, 1970's - Postcard 1 Back

Futuro, La Défense, 1970's - Postcard 2 Front

Futuro, La Défense, 1970's - Postcard 2 Back

Futuro, La Défense, 1970's - Postcard 3 Front

Futuro, La Défense, 1970's - Postcard 3 Back

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2006 Belgian Film Festival Program | Collectibles | Purchased 080313

The 2006 Film Festival "2E Documentair Film Platform Zone" [Antwerpen - Gent - Kortrijk ] took place 031506 through 031906. The festival featured, among other works, several films by director Mika Taanila. Among them was the 1998 film "Futuro - A New Stance For Tomorrow".

This is a Program Booklet from the festival which features a short write up on the Futuro film along with some stock photos showing a couple of possible Futuro uses that never came to fruition and a shot of Futuro #001 at Hirvensalmi in 1968.

You can download a PDF file of this Program from here and, while the photos are missing and the formatting is all messed up, you can get a rough translation of the text using Google Translate here.

2006 Belgian Film Festival Program - Cover  2006 Belgian Film Festival Program - Inside

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Two First Day Covers | Postal Items | Purchased 082413

This pair of Futuro Stamp First Day Covers feature different covers than those I had previously found. In addition one is unusual in that it features four stamps. Other examples of the Futuro Stamp and Covers in my collection can be found here, here, here and here.

First Day Cover

First Day Cover

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Ghent Design Museum Flyer 2002 | Collectibles | Purchased 083113

The Design Museum in Ghent, Belgium held an exhibition titled "From Bakelite To Composite" at the end of 2002. The exhibition ran from 110902 through 022303 and is described on the Museum's website as:

"... an exhibition about the history and development of the use of fibre reinforced materials in consumer products and the influence of composites on the evolution of design in the second half of the twentieth century.

There was no Futuro displayed at the exhibition [at least as far as I can ascertain] but nevertheless a photo of the Futuro House dominates this small "four-fold" flyer for the exhibition. The Futuro House also appears in the book "From Bakelite To Composite" which was inspired by the exhibition.

The text on the flyer is in Dutch so I cannot read it and I have added it to my growing list of things I need to get translated.

First Day Cover

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I believe this postcard showing the Dombai Futuro dates from 1981; the date 1981 is printed on the back of the postcard and while it is possible this could be the date of the photograph not the postcard in my experience such dates generally indicate the date the postcard was produced. For a 30 plus year old item it is in absolutely amazing condition. Interestingly the image on the postcard is the same one that features on this 1985 Russian Cover.

Dombai Futuro - 1981 Postcard Front

Dombai Futuro - 1981 Postcard Back

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Press Photo, London - 100868 | Photographs | Purchased 092513

This is an original [certified] Press Photograph taken 100768 purchased from the archives of the Baltimore Sun. The photo is 9¼" by 7" and is a shot of Futuro 002 in London, England in 1968.

On the rear of the photograph is the date, 101068, a category name and number, a bar code and a typed note on piece of brown tape that reads:

"PLASTIC HOUSE - LONDON: What looks like some kind of undersea vehicle is actually a futuristic house, unveiled aboard the motor ship Finnpartner here 10/7 at the start of the Finnish Trade Fair. The house is constructed of polyester plastic reinforced with fiber glass. It weighs more than a ton and can be transported in sections. In background is London's Tower Bridge."

The Futuro House has been photographed hundreds of times in many locations over the years and there are several photos that you might describe as "iconic". Perhaps the most well known of these is the 1968 photograph of Futuro 001 located at the time in Hirvensalmi, Finland on the property of entertainer Matti Kuusla. Futuro 001 is now of course in the collection of the WeeGee Exhibition Center.

Running a close second in my opinion is this photograph of Futuro # 002 aboard the Finnpartner on the Thames in London in 1968 and it is exiting to have this photograph in my collection. Futuro # 002 is now located in Matsalu, Estonia but in 1968 as a part of the Finnfocus-Export Fair Futuro 002 became the first Futuro to be exhibited to a "mass audience."

Press Photo, Baltimore Sun 100868 - London - Front Photo

Press Photo, Baltimore Sun 100868 - London - Back Photo

Press Photo, Baltimore Sun 100868 - London - Front Scan

As always there are significant differences in palette between photos of a photo and scans of a photo. In this case the top two images are photos front and back; the last shot is a scan. The palette of the original photo in this case is actually quite close to that seen in the bottom photo. The top photo also shows the original photo in it's entirety; the scanner decided to crop white areas around the edge of the photograph and so the scanned image shows a slightly cropped version of the original photograph.

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Juno Specter | Music CD | Purchased 080212
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Juno Specter   Juno Specter the self titled third album by the band of the same name features the Royse City Futuro on the cover. Judging by the photo is looks like it was taken at a time when the Futuro was in better condition that its current dilapidated state. Hopefully one day it will get some well deserved love!


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The Futuro Stamp | Postal Items | Purchased 091612

In 1971 Finland issued a stamp to commemorate the plastics industry; the stamp featured the Futuro House [Scott # 0190-0511]. The stamp was issued 102071.

The photo below shows my collection of examples of the Futuro stamp [listed from top to bottom and left to right]:

  • Two First Day Covers [there are other different examples; if you have any or know of any for sale please let me know]
  • Plate block of four stamps
  • First Day Cancelled block of four stamps
  • Five Mint stamps
  • Five used stamps

Other examples of the Futuro Stamp and Covers in my collection can be found here, here, here and here.

The Futuro Stamp - All

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Aike & Aine | DVD Video | Purchased 091512
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  Time & Matter is a compilation DVD that features several short films and it is of interest to the Futuro fan because it includes Mika Taanila's "Futuro: A New Stance for Tomorrow".

Taanila's film is included with the book "Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday" edited by Marko Home & Mika Taanila but that can be an extremely expensive book to buy and it is not easy to find a standalone copy of the movie. This DVD can be an economical way to get your own copy of Taanila's film.

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WeeGee Exhibition Brochure 2012 | Collectibles | Purchased 110912

Futuro #001 spent most of its life in Hirvensalmi, Finland on the property of entertainer Matti Kuusla. In 2011 the Futuro was purchased by The WeeGee Exhibition Center in Espoo, Finland and restored. The Futuro was open to the public through the summer of 2012 [050812 through 091612] and the intention is that it will remain with the Exhibition Center and be open to the public each summer. This is an original English language version of a flyer for the exhibition in the summer of 2012.

Photos on the flyer include the Futuros located in Hirvensalmi [now Espoo], Dombai and Luumäki [now almost certainly the unit located in Pöytyä].

WeeGee Exhibition Brochure 2012 Outside

WeeGee Exhibition Brochure 2012 Inside

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AP Wirephoto, Arcadia, FL - 033070 | Photographs | Purchased 111312

This is an original [certified] AP Wirephoto from the archives of the Baltimore Sun. The photo is 10¾" by 8" and shows a Futuro located near Arcadia, Florida on 033070. I have never seen a reference to a Futuro located in Arcadia and likely given the date and the description of it as a "pilot" model it was most likely displayed here for marketing purposes for only a short time though that is just conjecture at this point. I will update this page further if and when I am able to find out more.

The text to the left of the picture is actually a part of the "photo" and gives us the date and the location; text becoming part of the photo is a feature of wire photos [see notes below for more information on wirephotos]. The text is faint, though you can just make it out in the detail scan below [click the image for a larger version], and reads:

"(TP7) ARCADIA, Fla., March 30--LOOK FOR THE LITTLE GREEN MEN--You might find some and then maybe you won't but this "flying saucer" has prompted all sorts of conjecture. It "landed" recently at the Nocatee-Owens Bridge site on the Peace River near Arcadia and is a pilot model of a fiberglass house built by a New Jersey construction company. It is 26-feet in diameter. (AP Wirephoto)(rk21930) 1970"

This Futuro and it's location looks very similar to the location and Futuro shown in the large circular image in the article "Portable Playhouse" in the September 1970 issue of Playboy Magazine. That article does not identify the locations where the photos were taken so I cannot be sure but to me it looks like the Playboy photo was taken in Arcadia. In addition to the similarity of the location note the vent/chimney on the top of the Futuro which also looks the same in both photos.

What Is A Wirephoto?

Wirephotos are different than traditional photographic prints! The prints are the result of what used to be breakthrough technology (now completely obsolete) that allowed a photographic image to be scanned, transmitted over "the wire" (telegraph, phone, satellite networks) and then printed at the receiving location. At the sending station, a typed caption was prepared and pasted to the border of the original photograph. It was then inserted into the sending machine and transmitted. At the receiving end, photo paper was then exposed with the transmitted image and the caption information became a part of the photographic image. They are often on thinner, slick paper (very similar to old thermal roll fax paper) and often fade or become sepia toned quicker than traditional silver halide prints. Long removed from commercial use, these artifacts represent an important era in the history of news media. | Go here for more information.

AP Wirephoto, Baltimore Sun 033070 - Futuro In Arcadia, Fl - Scan

AP Wirephoto, Baltimore Sun 033070 - Futuro In Arcadia, Fl - Scan

AP Wirephoto, Baltimore Sun 033070 - Futuro In Arcadia, Fl - Photo

The first two images are from a scan of the Wirephoto; the last shot is a photo of the Wirephoto. It is amazing to me how different they look; the actual appearance and coloration is somewhere between the two.

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Press Photo, Lüdenscheid - 082671 | Photographs | Purchased 120112

This is an original [certified] Press Photograph dated 082671 from the archives of the Baltimore Sun. The photo is 9½" by 7¼" and is a shot of several of the "plastic houses" that were displayed at the Internationale Kunststoffhaus Ausstellung der Welt that opened in 1971 outside the German town of Lüdenscheid.

Specifically the shot shows the Futuro along with [in the foreground] Jean Maneval's Bulle Six Coques and [to the right of the Futuro] Casoni & Casoni's Rondo.

On the rear of the photograph is the date, 082671, various hand written annotations and a typed note on piece of brown tape that reads:

"Visitors to the first International Plastic House Exhibition in Lüdenscheid, West Germany, can see these model homes, named "Orion" (in front), "Futuro" (left) with the "Bio-Dome" behind it, and "Rondo" behind "Orion.""

I am not familiar with the "Bio-Dome" which I assume to be the dual "bee-hive" like structures behind the Futuro; I do not have the time to research it right now but at some point I will and at that time I will update this page. In the meantime if anyone has any information on the "Bio-Dome" handy I would be interested to hear about it. "Orion" was another name for the Bulle Six Coques.

And, heading off on a tangent, one final note - coincidences always intrigue me and finding this photo the other day was a big coincidence. I received two books - Homes: Today & Tomorrow and Prefab Houses - and a magazine - Hobby: Das Magazin der Technik - that contained photos of the Lüdenscheid exhibition over the course of a couple of days [I did not know what photographs they contained until I received them] and I had just completed writing an article about the exhibition when I found this photo. The books and the magazine seemed to be a big coincidence; then coming across this photo right around the same time is almost spooky.

Press Photo, Baltimore Sun 082671 - Lüdenscheid - Front Photo

Press Photo, Baltimore Sun 082671 - Lüdenscheid - Back Photo

Press Photo, Baltimore Sun 082671 - Lüdenscheid - Front Scan

As always there are significant differences in palette between photos of a photo and scans of a photo. In this case the top two images are photos front and back; the last shot is a scan. The palette of the original photo in this case is actually quite close to that seen in the bottom photo. The top photo also shows the original photo in it's entirety; the scanner decided to crop some of the sky at the top of the photo and so the scanned image shows a slightly cropped version of the original photograph.

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Plastic Photo Cube Early 1970's? | Collectibles | Purchased 122312

I do not have any information on the origin or date of this plastic photo cube. Having said that my guess it is from the 1970's; the item itself is something that was in vogue at that time and the aging of the cube and the images it contains is consistent with it being some 40 years old or thereabouts.

Interestingly all of the images show signs of damage except the Futuro one. The Futuro image is a generic interior shot; I believe it is reproduced from some publicity materials, I am sure I have seen the image before but at the moment I cannot place it. The Futuro image unlike the others is undamaged though it does show pronounced aging.

Plastic Photo Cube 1970's  Plastic Photo Cube 1970's

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WeeGee Exhibition Flyer 2012 | Collectibles | Purchased 122312

Futuro #001 spent most of its life in Hirvensalmi, Finland on the property of entertainer Matti Kuusla. In 2011 the Futuro was purchased by The WeeGee Exhibition Center in Espoo, Finland and restored. The Futuro was open to the public through the summer of 2012 [050812 through 091612] and the intention is that it will remain with the Exhibition Center and be open to the public each summer. This is an original of a small flyer for the exhibition in the summer of 2012 carrying both Finnish and English text.

Photos on the flyer include the Futuros located in Hirvensalmi [now Espoo] and Dombai.

WeeGee 2012 Flyer Front

WeeGee 2012 Flyer Back

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Press Photo, Hiekkaharju - 042568 | Photographs | Purchased 022013

This is an original UPI [United Press International] Press Photo that was taken early 1968. The annotation on the back indicates Helsinki and states that the unit was located in a warehouse. However a comparison of this photograph and a photograph of a Futuro at the Polykem Plant found on page 24 of the book "Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday" edited by Marko Home & Mika Taanila confirms that this photograph was taken at the Polykem Plant in Hiekkaharju. Given the date it seems most likely that this is a photograph of Futuro #000 though I cannot be certain of that.

This photograph is one of a pair taken the same day; the other was an interior shot that featured several members of the project team including Matti Suuronen.

On the rear of the photograph is the date it was taken, 042568, the date it was used 080168 [though there is no indication of what publication it was used in], a handwritten annotation that simply reads "House Futuro", a UPI Credit stamp and a typed note that reads:

"Space Age Living | Helsinki, Finland: An ellipsoid house, fashioned after the fictional "Flying Saucer" stands almost completed in a warehouse where its being built by architect Matti Suuronen. The door (not yet hinged) opens downward to provide entrance stairs into the house."

Press Photo, UPI 042568 - Hiekkaharju - Front Photo

Press Photo, UPI 042568 - Hiekkaharju - Back Photo

Press Photo, UPI 042568 - Hiekkaharju - Front Scan

As always there are significant differences in palette between photos of a photo and scans of a photo. In this case the top two images are photos front and back; the last shot is a scan. The palette of the original photo in this case is actually quite close to that seen in the bottom photo.

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Christie's Auction Catalog - 112707 | Collectibles | Purchased 041213

On 112707 world famous auction house Christie's held an auction in Paris [Christie's Auction #5483] entitled Arts Décoratifs Du XXème Siècle Et Design. Lot 391 of this auction was a Futuro House. This is the Christie's Catalog for that auction.

Much of the history of Futuro Houses can be unclear and at times what information there is can be confusing or even contradictory. When determining what is or is not fact one is often left basing an opinion on the credibility of the source of that information. The Christie's Catalog provides some history of the unit that was auctioned and it seems to me that as a premiere auction house it is almost certain that whatever information they provided was fact.

So, what does the catalog tell us? Christie's recounts that the Futuro that was auctioned was one of the few that was produced directly by Polykem, executed under Belgian-Benelux license. There are several references to there being three Futuros in Belgium [see the Tildonk Futuro page for details] in the early 70's and most suggest they were initially together at a single location; you can find a Press Photo of the three Futuro's here and there is also a very similar photo in the April 2001 issue of Casa Brutus Magazine.

In addition Christie's tells us that this Futuro House was the one exhibited in as part of a 2007 exhibition at the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art [known as MUDAM] in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. The exhibition was titled "Tomorrow Now - When Design Meets Science Fiction" and it ran from 052507 to 092407.

The Futuro was listed for €150,000-200,000; at the auction it did not quite get into that range but it did sell for a rather impressive €140,000. The buyer and the eventual destination for the Futuro remains unknown, at least to me. Interestingly the Christie's webpage that lists the results of the auction does not include all of the lots and Lot 391, the Futuro House, is one of the ones that is not listed.

Of course having said that the catalog provides us with some factual information it also adds to the "mystery". I had previously though that the Futuro displayed at the MUDAM exhibition was the Belgian Futuro owned by Philemon Vanlangendonck and there is evidence to support that theory - see page 4 of this file. However for that to be the case it would also have to be the one sold at auction in 2007 yet Philemon Vanlangendonck reportedly continued to own his Futuro long after 2007 and in fact still owns it as far as I am aware [based on emails received at the end of 2012].

So we are left with a mystery to ponder; perhaps Philemon Vanlangendonck owned two Futuro's, perhaps the one displayed at MUDAM was not actually the one owned by Philemon Vanlangendonck, perhaps the information indicating Philemon Vanlangendonck still owns a Futuro was in error? In the end maybe it is the mystery and the search for the "true story" that actually fuels my fascination with the Futuro House. Whatever the truth this catalog is a great addition to my collection and "another piece of the puzzle".

The catalog features some great photos of the Futuro on display at MUDAM and it also features some great photos of Futuro #002 on display at the Finnfocus-Export Fair in London in 1968.

Christie's Auctions Catalog November 2007 Cover  Christie's Auctions Catalog November 2007 Page 139

Christie's Auctions Catalog November 2007 Pages 140 - 141

Christie's Auctions Catalog November 2007 Pages 142 - 143

Christie's Auctions Catalog November 2007 Pages 144 - 145

Christie's Auctions Catalog November 2007 Pages 146 - 147

Christie's Auctions Catalog November 2007 Pages 148 - 149

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WeeGee Exhibition Postcards | Postal Items | Purchased 080313

These two postcards were sent to me recently by a fellow Futuro "fan"; you know who you are - thank you. The postcards are unused and are from the Futuro Exhibition at the WeeGee Exhibition Center in Espoo, Finland.

The photographs on the postcards are:

  • [Top] A 1969 interior shot of the Futuro House that was displayed as a marketing effort in the Stockman Department Store in Helsinki, Finland. The photo features 1968 Miss Finland and Miss Europe Leena Brusliin as a "Futuro Hostess".
  • [Bottom] The iconic 1968 photograph of Futuro #001 located at the time in Hirvensalmi, Finland on the property of entertainer Matti Kuusla. Futuro #001 is now of course in the collection of the WeeGee Exhibition Center and is open to the public during the summer months each year [until 090113 in 2013].


WeeGee Exhibtion Postcard - Stockmann Department Store 1969

WeeGee Exhibtion Postcard - Hirvensalmi 1968

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"Triple" First Day Cover | Postal Items | Purchased 081713

I already had a couple of First Day Covers of the 1971 Finnish stamp [Scott # 0190-0511] issued to commemorate the plastics industry and featuring the Futuro House. This example is unusual in that it actually has three stamps rather than the more usual one. Other examples of the Futuro Stamp and Covers in my collection can be found here, here, here and here.

Futuro Stamp - Three In One Cover

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Not long ago I obtained a set of three original postcards from the 1970's showing the French Futuro on display at La Défense in Paris, France. Today I added a fourth to that collection with this postcard which shows a large globe in the foreground. The postcard is unused. A handwritten annotation on the back indicates it dates from 1978.

CNIT/Futuro/Globe 1978 Postcard Front

CNIT/Futuro/Globe 1978 Postcard Back

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My Futuro collection already includes several examples of the 1971 Finnish stamp issued to commemorate the plastics industry and featuring the Futuro House. I found this to be an interesting example as it was used on an airmail envelope rather than on cover stationary and decided it would make a worthy addition to my collection.

Other examples of the Futuro Stamp and Covers in my collection can be found here, here, here and here.

Futuro Stamp - Airmail Envelope

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I have seen photos and examples of this Russian Mint Cover featuring the Dombai Futuro in several places. It is always stated that it dates from 1978 [usually 122678]. This example actually has the date 1985 printed on the back so either the cover was issued again in later years after being first issued in 1978 or there never was a 1978 issue and other reports are mistaken. If you have an example of this cover I would be interested to hear how it is dated on the back.

The image featured on the cover is an artist's rendering of the photograph on this 1981 postcard that, coincidentally, I added to my collection the same day as this cover.

Dombai Futuro - 1985 Mint Cover

Dombai Futuro - 1985 Mint Cover

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I found this refrigerator magnet featuring the Dombai Futuro on E-Bay; there were actually a couple of listings. I have no idea if this is a current "souvenir" from the area or something from the past. I would be interested to here if anyone knows if this is recent or old. The magnet is actually quite small [much smaller than the photo] measuring only 2.5 by 1.75 inches.

Dombai Futuro - Refrigerator Magnet

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Books | Updated 101913

     *** Latest Additions


  Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday edited by Marko Home & Mika Taanila is a "must have" book for any true Futuro House aficionado. It is the definitive resource for information on the early history of the Futuro House and includes a wealth of information not found anywhere else along with a treasure trove of photos.

It's one drawback is the price but, if you can afford it, it might be worth it and the price is likely to continue to rise in any case. My copy has more than doubled in price since I purchased it.

Futuro DVDAs an added bonus a copy of the Mika Taanila directed film "Futuro: A New Stance for Tomorrow" comes with the book. The film features great footage of Futuros and interviews with several Futuro "celebrities" including, among others, Matti Suuronen [architect and Futuro designer], Matti Kuusla [owner of Futuro 001], Ensio Söderström [CEO of Polykem Oy] and Charles Wilp [artist & Futuro owner].

Futuro Front Cover  Futuro Back Cover

Futuro Caribbean Gardens Double Page Spread

Futuro Random Page

  • Edited By: Marko Home & Mika Taanila
  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Desura Ltd (July 1, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9525339130
  • ISBN-13: 978-9525339130
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.7 inches

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  Florida Curiosities, 3rd (Curiosities Series) written by David Grimes & Tom Becnel features a very short article on the Gulf Breeze Futuro; the article is general in nature and offers no information or history. The article is accompanied by a single black and white photograph.

Like all of the books in the "Curiosities" series this book, depending on your personal tastes, could be of value when planning a vacation itinerary but it is of very limited value as far as Futuro House information goes. Obsessive collectors only!

Florida Curiosities Cover  Florida Curiosities Pages 18 & 19

  • Authors: David Grimes & Tom Becnel
  • Paperback: 264 pages
  • Publisher: Globe Pequot; Third edition (January 11, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0762759895
  • ISBN-13: 978-0762759897
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches

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The Silence Calling | Purchased 091512

  The Silence Calling: Australians in Antarctica 1947-97 written by Tim Bowden is a comprehensive and fascinating history of ANARE [Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions].

This book also played a part in my research into the "Googies", modified Futuros according to almost every reference to them online, which ultimately led me to establish that they are in fact something completely different and not in any way modfied Futuros. Read more about my research into the "Googies" here.

The Silence Calling Cover  The Silence Calling Signature Page  The Silence Calling Spit Bay Heard Island

The Silence Calling Pages 426-427

The Silence Calling Pages 428-429

  • Author: Tim Bowden
  • Hardcover: 624 pages
  • Publisher: Allen & Unwin (September 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1864483113
  • ISBN-13: 978-1864483116
  • Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.2 x 2 inches

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H.O.U.S.E. | Purchased 092612

  H.O.U.S.E.: Homes That Are Outrageous, Unbelievable, Spectacular, and Extraordinary: 35 Designs for Fantastic Living written by Aleksandra Mizielinska & Daniel Mizielinski is a humorous and somewhat irreverent look at some of the more unusual designs and ideas for houses that people have come up with over the years.

The Futuro is mentioned but only in a generic and almost childlike way and the illustration is "cartoonish"; indeed the book may well appeal to children more so than adults.

H.O.U.S.E. Cover  H.O.U.S.E. Pages 64-65

  • Authors: Aleksandra Mizielinska & Daniel Mizielinski
  • Hardcover: 160 pages
  • Publisher: Harper Design (August 7, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0062113755
  • ISBN-13: 978-0062113757
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches

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In Advance Of The Landing | Purchased 092912

  In Advance of the Landing: Folk Concepts of Outer Space written by Douglas Curran is a photographic journey through the strange, to most of us at least, world of the UFO "true believer" and in some circles has achieved something akin to "cult" status.

Page 95 features a very cool, somewhat stylized, black and white photograph of the Gulf Breeze Futuro. The caption to the photo mentions another Futuro used as "a real estate office in Dallas". I live in Dallas and have never heard of this - any information anyone?

In Advance Of The Landing Cover  In Advance Of The Landing Page 95

  • Author: Douglas Curran
  • Hardcover: 144 pages
  • Publisher: Abbeville Press; Exp Upd edition (March 18, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0789207087
  • ISBN-13: 978-0789207081
  • Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches

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  Home Delivery: Fabricating The Modern Dwelling written by Ken Tadashi Oshima & Rasmus Waern is a fascinating book published in conjunction with the 072008-102008 exhibition of the same name at the New York Museum Of Modern Art.

Pages 140 to 143 feature a rather nicely illustrated article about the Futuro House. I particularly like the photo [shown below] on page 141 of a Futuro being loaded onto a ship for transport from Helsinki, Finland in 1969. One of the better Futuro articles I have found.

Home Delivery Cover  Home Delivery Pages 142-143

Home Delivery Pages 140-141

  • Authors: Ken Tadashi Oshima & Rasmus Waern
  • Editors: Barry Bergdoll & Peter Christensen
  • Hardcover: 248 pages
  • Publisher: The Museum of Modern Art, New York; First Edition edition (August 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0870707337
  • ISBN-13: 978-0870707339
  • Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.6 x 1.1 inches

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The Visual Dialogue | Purchased 101212

  The Visual Dialogue written by Nathan Knobler is a somewhat odd book, at least to me, in that it is designed to help the reader "appreciate" art. I believe each of us appreciates the artistic in our own way and through our own perception of what is aesthetically pleasing and we need no help to do so.

Page 268 includes a brief paragraph on the Futuro House. A photograph of Futuro 001, at the time located in Hirvensalmi, Finland and now located at the WeeGee Exhibition Center, Espoo, Finland accompanies the brief write up.

The Visual Dialogue Cover  The Visual Dialogue Page 268

  • Author: Nathan Knobler
  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Harcourt School; 3 Sub edition (June 1980)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0030493161
  • ISBN-13: 978-0030493164
  • Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 0.7 inches

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  Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys Conquered the World written by Woodrow Phoenix is a book all about plastics and toys. I am not entirely sure how the leap to a Futuro is made but it is.

On page 100 we find a nice photograph of the Danvers Futuro. The oposite page carries the captions for a number of photos including the Futuro under the description "In an age of plastic culture, why settle for the merely functional when a witty design can be fun to use?" My opinion; the design of the Futuro was entirely functional.

Plastic Culture Cover  Plastic Culture Page 100

  • Author: Woodrow Phoenix
  • Hardcover: 112 pages
  • Publisher: Kodansha International (August 18, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 4770030177
  • ISBN-13: 978-4770030177
  • Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.8 x 0.7 inches

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Chasing The Perfect | Purchased 102412

  Chasing The Perfect: Thoughts On Modernist Design In Our Time by Natalia Ilyin is a discussion of design and the world it has helped mold.

On page 44 of the book we see an interior shot of a Futuro; the same shot [cropped] is also seen on page 38. The photo is captioned "Matti Suuronen. Futuro House, 1968" but I cannot find any mention of the Futuro House or any reference to the photo in the text so I really have no idea exactly what point is being made or what the representation of the Futuro is actually supposed to communicate.

Chasing The Perfect Cover  Chasing The Perfect Page 44  Chasing The Perfect Page 38

  • Author: Natalia Ilyin
  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Metropolis Books; annotated edition edition (November 15, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1933045213
  • ISBN-13: 978-1933045214
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches

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Fiberglass Buildings | Purchased 102712

  Fiberglass Buildings written by Robert B. Hartwig is a self-published book from 1970 which discusses various fiberglass structures.

It is actually quite an interesting book and starts off by cataloguing an amazing line up of 71 different fiberglass buildings that were developed around the world between 1956 and 1970 and then moves on to discuss some of these in more detail; the Futuro House is one of these and there is a five page article on it. The book does not have page numbers but the Futuro article actually occupies pages 63 to 67.

Fiberglass Buildings Cover  Fiberglass Buildings Futuro Article Page 1

Fiberglass Buildings Futuro Article Pages 2-3

Fiberglass Buildings Futuro Article Pages 4-5

  • Author: Robert B. Hartwig
  • Paperback: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Robert B. Hartwig (1970)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0960033815
  • ISBN-13: 978-0960033812
  • Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches

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Homes: Today & Tomorrow | Purchased 112512

  Homes: Today and Tomorrow written by Ruth F. Sherwood is a textbook that discusses the theory and history of house design, construction and furnishing. The book has gone through several reprints; this is the 1972 First Edition.

On page 453 we see a photo [I believe though it is not stated] showing the Futuro being exhibited at the Internationale Kunststoffhaus Ausstellung in Lüdenscheid, Germany in 1971. The Futuro is not mentioned by name and does not appear in the text. Also seen in the photo is Casoni & Casoni's Rondo.

Homes: Today & Tomorrow Cover  Homes: Today & Tomorrow Page 453

  • Author: Ruth F. Sherwood
  • Hardcover: 496 pages
  • Publisher: C. A. Bennett Co (1972)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0870021311
  • ISBN-13: 978-0870021312
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.7 x 1.3 inches

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Finnish Design: Facts & Fancy | Purchased 120112

  Finnish Design: Facts and Fancy written by Donald J. Willcox with photographs by Ove Hector is a look at the world of Finnish design which is often cool, sometimes bizarre and always innovative.

For whatever reason the book does not have page numbers but towards the back there is a page with a short write up about the Futuro along with three photos; one is of an actual Futuro, a second appears to be a photo of a model of a Futuro and the third is of an artist's impression of what a Futuro Hotel might look like.

Finnish Design: Facts & Fancy - Cover  Finnish Design: Facts & Fancy - Futuro Page

  • Author: Donald J. Willcox
  • Hardcover: 162 pages
  • Publisher: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co (October 1973)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0442294700
  • ISBN-13: 978-0442294700
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches

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Tomorrow Now: When Design ... | Purchased 121512

  Tomorrow Now: When Design Meets Science Fiction written and edited by Nadine Clemens features texts on design and science fiction in the context of history, literature, film, architecture, fashion and art. It features full-color images from international exhibitions and archives.

This two volume set was published by MUDAM to accompany the exhibition of the same name held at the museum 052507 to 092407. The exhibition featured the Belgium Futuro and the book includes a couple of photos of the Futuro at the exhibition.

Tomorrow Now: When Design Meets Science Fiction - Cover Vol 1  Tomorrow Now: When Design Meets Science Fiction - Cover Vol 2

Tomorrow Now: When Design Meets Science Fiction - Pges 60-61 Image Volume  Tomorrow Now: When Design Meets Science Fiction - Pges 62-63 Image Volume

  • Author & Editor: Nadine Clemens
  • Paperback: 420 pages
  • Publisher: Mudam Luxembourg; Bilingual edition (July 15, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 2919923633
  • ISBN-13: 978-2919923632
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches

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Sorry, Out Of Gas | Purchased 012913

  Sorry, Out of Gas: Architecture's Response to the 1973 Oil Crisis edited by Giovanna Borasi and Mirko Zardini examines the response of the architectural world to the 70's oil crisis.

The opening chapter of the book provides a little historical background and discusses the architectural trends and ideas prevalent during the lead up to the crisis. The Futuro, developed before the crisis, was of course a casualty of the crisis rather than a reaction to it and for that reason it gets a short paragraph in the opening chapter.

Sorry: Out Of Gas - Cover  Sorry: Out Of Gas - Page 43

  • Editors: Giovanna Borasi and Mirko Zardini
  • Paperback: 236 pages
  • Publisher: Edizioni Corraini/Canadian Centre for Architecture (January 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 8875701431
  • ISBN-13: 978-8875701437
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 0.9 inches

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Parasite Paradise | Purchased 022413

  Parasite Paradise is the work of a long list of authors and contributors and, in the context of architecture, defines Parasites as "flexible and temporary structures, designed by artists or architects, that feed off of existing infrastructure."

To be honest I am not sure I quite follow that definition but from a Futuro perspective we do find an article on the Futuro House that includes some nice photographs. The Futuro content primarily relates to the 2001 SKOR exhibition in Amsterdam, Netherlands that featured Futuro #000.

Parasite Paradise Page 9  Parasite Paradise Page 10

Parasite Paradise Page 37  Parasite Paradise Pages 38-39

Parasite Paradise Pages 40-41  Parasite Paradise Page 42

  • Authors & Contributors: Various
  • Paperback: 190 pages
  • Publisher: NAi Publishers (February 2, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9056623303
  • ISBN-13: 978-9056623302
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches

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Architecture; Drafting & Design | Purchased 050113

  Architecture; Drafting and Design, 2nd Edition written by Donald Hepler & Paul Wallach is a very detailed architectural text book and reference and, unlike many of the books I have purchased in the name of "Futuro", most likely this is a book I will never read.

The book makes very brief mention of the Futuro House on page 476. This reference is accompanied by one of the most commonly seen Futuro House photos that features the Hirvensalmi Futuro [now in the collection of the WeeGee Exhibition Center].

Architecture; Drafting & Design - Cover  Architecture; Drafting & Design - Page 476

  • Authors: Donald Hepler & Paul Wallach
  • Hardcover: 568 pages
  • Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 2nd edition (1971)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0070282900
  • ISBN-13: 978-0070282902
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.7 x 1.6 inches

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Traveling Through Illinois | Purchased 060113

  Traveling Through Illinois: Stories of Landmarks and Landscapes between Chicago and St. Louis written by LuAnn Cadden & Ted Cable is subtitled "Stories Of I-55 Landmarks & Landscapes Between Chicago & St. Louis" and chronicles the authors travels and findings along the interstate [and it looks like an interesting roadtrip].

On pages 109 and 110 the book features a short article and a single photograph of the Futuro located at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, Illinois.

Traveling Through Illinois Cover  Traveling Through Illinois Page 109  Traveling Through Illinois Page 110

  • Authors: LuAnn Cadden & Ted Cable
  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: The History Press (May 10, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1626190488
  • ISBN-13: 978-1626190481
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches

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Kunststoffbauten: Die Pioniere | Purchased 080913

  Kunststoffbauten: Die Pioniere written by Elke Genzel and Pamela Voigt looks like it would be a very informative book. I say "looks like" because it is German and I cannot read a word. This becomes another item in the growing list of things to be translated one day.

The book contains several photos, mainly of the Berlin Futuro but also among others Dombai and Lüdenscheid. There is also a lengthy article running from page 133 through 160 with text, photos, diagrams and scientific/mathematical info.

Kunststoffbauten - Cover  Kunststoffbauten - Color Plate 1

Kunststoffbauten - Color Plates 2 & 3

Kunststoffbauten - Page 10  Kunststoffbauten - Page 13

The Futuro content in this book is very extensive and I decided not to place images of all the pages here - the following links connect to photos of all of the pages of the main Futuro chapter in the book.

Pages 134-135 | Pages 136-137 | Pages 138-139 | Pages 140-141
Pages 142-143 | Pages 144-145 | Pages 146-147 | Pages 148-149
Pages 150-151 | Pages 152-153 | Pages 154-155 | Pages 156-157
Pages 158-159 | Page 160

  • Authors: Elke Genzel and Pamela Voigt
  • Hardcover: 288 Pages
  • Publisher: Verlag der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (2005)
  • Language: German
  • ISBN-10: 3860682415
  • ISBN-13: 978-3860682418
  • Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches

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  Transformations In Modern Architecture written by Arthur Drexler is loosely based on an exhibition that took place at the Museum Of Modern Art in New York during the period 022379 through 042479.

The book features some limited commentary but is largely composed of black and white photographs of architecturally significant and interesting buildings from around the world. It features a short paragraph on the Futuro house accompanied with a single photograph on pages 58 and 59 [there is also a photograph of Suuronen's Venturo].

Transformations In Modern Architecture Cover  Transformations In Modern Architecture Page 59

  • Author: Arthur Drexler
  • Paperback: 168 pages
  • Publisher: Distributed by New York Graphic Society; 1st edition. edition (1979)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 087070608X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0870706080
  • Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 0.5 inches

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  House & Garden's Book of Holiday and Weekend Houses edited by Robert Harling is described in the forward as "a comprehensive survey of the twentieth-century's re-discovery of the need to escape." I am reasonable intelligent but frankly I am not entirely sure what that means.

In among some forty or so articles on various "holiday and weekend houses" around the world we find, on page 208 a short commentary on the Futuro House accompanied by a single black and white photograph.

House & Garden - Weekend & Holiday Homes | Cover  House & Garden - Weekend & Holiday Homes | Page 208

  • Editor: Robert Harling
  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Conde Nast; 1St Edition edition (1968)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 090030300X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0900303005
  • Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches

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Dombai | Purchased 090713

Published in 1980 the book "Dombai" written by Konstantin Rototayev with photographs by Alexander Markelov contains some awe inspiring images of the Karachayevo-Cherkess area around Dombai. The book features text in both Russian and English and along with the photographs of the beautiful landscape of the area we find three photographs of the Dombai Futuro. The Futuro is not mentioned in the text.

This book is not available on Amazon but if anyone is as avid a collector as I am there is a copy available [at the time or writing anyway] on AbeBooks.co.uk and there is what looks like a 2009 edition [with fewer pages] available on the Russian site Ozon.ru [again as at the time of writing]. I cannot find an ISBN for this book though it is referenced at Worldcat.org.

Dombai Photo Book - Cover  Dombai Photo Book - Photo 1

Dombai Photo Book - Photo 2  Dombai Photo Book - Photo 3

  • Author: Konstantin Rototayev
  • Designer: Oleg Grebenyk
  • Photographer: Alexander Markelov
  • Hardcover: 119 pages
  • Publisher: Moskva: Sovetskaja Rossija (1980)
  • Language: Russian & English
  • ISBN-10: Unknown
  • ISBN-13: Unknown
  • Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.6 x 0.375 inches

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Here I go again buying books I cannot read; this time the book is in Finnish. Rötter och arv: tolv Åländska hem is a book by Britt-Marie Trensmar that features a series of chapters on homes and their interiors around the Aland Islands.

Pages of 121 through 129 of the book feature the Aland Islands Futuro. Obviously I cannot read the text [the list of things to get translated just keeps getting longer] but the photographs tell us one thing for certain; this Futuro is really excellent condition. I am sure it has must have suffered wear and tear over the years but the interior looks like it was manufactured yesterday.

I have never found a copy of this book on Amazon or for that matter E-Bay. I purchased this copy from Adlibris and then had to find someone to take delivery and forward it to me here in the USA since Adlibris do not ship outside of Scandinavia.

Rötter och arv: tolv Åländska hem - Cover  Rötter och arv: tolv Åländska hem - Page 121

Rötter och arv: tolv Åländska hem - Pages 122 & 123

Rötter och arv: tolv Åländska hem - Pages 124 & 125

Rötter och arv: tolv Åländska hem - Pages 126 & 127

Rötter och arv: tolv Åländska hem - Pages 128 & 129

  • Author: Britt-Marie Trensmar
  • Hardcover: 198 pages
  • Publisher: Söderström (October 2009)
  • Language: Finnish
  • ISBN-10: 9515226619
  • ISBN-13: 978-9515226617
  • Product Dimensions: 9.0 x 0.75 x 8.9 inches

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Pop Rauha Rakkaus | Purchased 101913

Pop Rauha Rakkaus published by the Lahti City Museum is subtitled "1960's and 70's life and phenomena" [if Google Translate is accurate]. The book is available for purchase on Adlibris [Finnish shipping address required]. Adlibris decribes the book as being a [pasted Google translation]:

"Lahti Art Museum publication produced by a collection of various sectors and individuals operating colorful articles. The articles Thresholds. nuorisoidoleihin era, communal living, arts events, and nature conservation. Publication offers glimpses of the world moved to the decades of interesting phenomena."

On page 63 we find a photograph of the Dombai Futuro. The accompanying text does mention the Futuro but I have no idea what it actually says.

Pop Rauha Rakkaus Cover  Pop Rauha Rakkaus Page 63

  • Editors: Maija-Riitta Rock & Ville-Matti Rautjoki
  • Hardcover: 95 pages
  • Publisher: Lahti City Museum (2008)
  • Language: Finnish
  • ISBN-10: 9519679995
  • ISBN-13: 978-9519679990
  • Product Dimensions: 9.0 x 0.375 x 9.0 inches

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Decorative Art 70's | Purchased 101913

  Decorative Art 70's edited by Charlotte Fiell & Peter Fiell is described on Amazon as taking "key pages from "Studio Magazine" - a magazine dedicated to fine and decorative, innovative art, and explores the designs and styles of the 1970s. The text looks at natural materials, and designers of the decade as well as forms that captured 70s style."

The book is actually quite interesting but there is no mention of the Futuro House; it is used only for the cover art. Hard to be sure but it appears to be the Hirvensalmi Futuro.

  • Editors: Charlotte Fiell & Peter Fiell
  • Series: Decorative Art
  • Paperback: 576 pages
  • Publisher: Taschen (April 8, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 3822864064
  • ISBN-13: 978-3822864067
  • Product Dimensions: 10.0 x 1.6 x 7.9 inches

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Ohio Curiosities, 2nd Edition | Purchased 080212

  Ohio Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff, 2nd Edition written by Sandra Gurvis features a two page [293-294] article on the Carlisle Double Futuros but the information is general and generic and offers no facts or historical information on the two Futuros.

Like all of the books in the "Curiosities" series this book, depending on your personal tastes, could be of value when planning a vacation itinerary but it is of very limited value as far as Futuro House information goes. Obsessive collectors only!

Ohio Curiosities Cover  Ohio Curiosities Page 293  Ohio Curiosities Page 294

  • Author: Sandra Gurvis
  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Globe Pequot; Second edition (August 2, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0762764082
  • ISBN-13: 978-0762764082
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches

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Weird Maryland | Purchased 080212

  Weird Maryland: Your Travel Guide to Maryland's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets written by Matt Lake features a very general two page article on the Futuro House. Though not by name the article refers to two specific Futuros; the ones at Milton and Houston. Interestingly of course both of those are in Delaware and, as far as I know Maryland does not have a Futuro.

The article also features two very nice photographs, one of the Milton Futuro and a second showing an interesting Futuro "road transport" scene.

Weird Maryland Cover  Weird Maryland Page 115  Weird Maryland Page 116

  • Author: Matt Lake
  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Sterling (July 25, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1402739060
  • ISBN-13: 978-1402739064
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 9.4 x 1.1 inches

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Where's My Space Age? | Purchased 080212

  Where's My Space Age?: The Rise and Fall of Futuristic Design written by Sean Topham examines the rise, in the 1950's, of "space age" design in just about every facet of life to its subsequent decline in the 1970's.

Along the way the Futuro gets a brief mention on pages 63/64 while on page 66 we see one of the more widely published photographs of the Futuro, a blue [as it appears anyway] Futuro at night against a blue hued sky with a crescent moon which is, in my opinion, one of the coolest photos of a Futuro.

Where's My Space Age Cover  Where's My Space Age Page 64  Where's My Space Age Page 66

  • Author: Sean Topham
  • Paperback: 160 pages
  • Publisher: Prestel Publishing (May 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 3791328441
  • ISBN-13: 978-3791328447
  • Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 0.6 inches

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  North Carolina Curiosities, 4th: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff (Curiosities Series) written by Kent Priestley & Jon Elliston includes a two page article on the Buxton Futuro that is accompanied by a single photo.

Unlike other books in the "Curiosities" series that feature small "Futuro" articles this one does actually add a little history to the "knowledge pool" and so has some value in addition to being a "collector's piece". It would also be a useful book when planning a North Carolina vacation.

North Carolina Curiosities Cover  North Carolina Curiosities Page 248  North Carolina Curiosities Page 248

  • Authors: Kent Priestley & Jon Elliston
  • Editor: Constance Richards
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Globe Pequot; Fourth edition (April 12, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 076275995X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0762759958
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches

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Transparent Plastics | Purchased 092612

  Transparent Plastics written by Simone Jeska documents the history of plastic as a building material from its initial use mainly in temporary and portable structures to the present day where it is featured mush more prominently in permanent and sometimes large structures.

Page 13 features a very short commentary on the Fururo along with a couple of nice black and white photographs. The appearance and placement of an "antenna" on the top of the Futuro suggests the photos may be of the Berlin Futuro.

Transparent Plastics Cover  Transparent Plastics Page 13

  • Author: Simone Jeska
  • Hardcover: 159 pages
  • Publisher: Birkhäuser Architecture; 1 edition (October 4, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 3764374705
  • ISBN-13: 978-3764374709
  • Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.2 x 0.7 inches

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A Letter to Annabelle | Purchased 092912

  In A Letter to Annabelle Larry J. Tracy passes on a lifetime of experience and family history to his new granddaughter. The book takes you from living in poverty, in a small Minnesota town, to traveling, to traveling the world as an International consultant for some of the world's major corporations.

Larry tells us of [83-84] his brief business involvement with the Futuro House as a "distibutor" and as the individual, at least in part, responsible for Playboy Magazine's interest in the Futuro. See the Janesville Futuro for more information.

A Letter To Annabelle Cover  A Letter To Annabelle Page 83  A Letter To Annabelle Page 84

  • Author: Larry J. Tracy
  • Paperback: 114 pages
  • Publisher: The Peppertree Press (August 31, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1936051494
  • ISBN-13: 978-1936051496
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches

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Micro: Very Small Buildings | Purchased 092912

  Micro: Very Small Buildings written by Ruth Slavid is an interesting read in it's own right quite apart from any "Futuro" interest; the book discusses example of very small buildings or what might be termed "micro architecture".

You could argue that the "Futuro" interest is very "micro" as well as the architecture; Futuro is mentioned on page 200 only in as much as it perhaps influenced the design, by Marco Koeppel & Carlo Matinez, of the Schlafhaus. Probably one for only for the most rabid of Futuro "nuts".

Micro: Very Small Buildings Cover  Micro: Very Small Buildings Cover Pages 200-201

  • Author: Ruth Slavid
  • Hardcover: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Laurence King Publishers (September 6, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 185669495X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1856694957
  • Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches

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Bare Essentials | Purchased 101212

  Bare Essentials: The Best of Nude Magazine 2003-2011 written by Ian Lowey & Suzy Prince is a compilation of the best stories from the British Indie Magazine Nude from its inception in 2003 to its final issue at the end of 2010. Perhaps a little eclectic it is still an interesting read.

Pages 6 through 10 feature an interesting and nicely illustrated history of the Futuro House. While the article is a little general in tone and we don't really learn anything new the book would nevertheless make a nice addition to any Futuro fan's collection.

Bare Essentials Cover  Bare Essentials Pages 6-7

Bare Essentials 8-9  Bare Essentials Page 10

  • Authors: Ian Lowey & Suzy Prince
  • Paperback: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Nude Magazine (December 8, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0956905900
  • ISBN-13: 978-0956905901
  • Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches

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Dimensions of Change | Purchased 101212

  Dimensions of Change written by Don Fabun is a "forward looking" book that is now rooted in the past. Published in 1971 it was a look at how technology might impact the problems humanity could face over the following 30 years.

On page 71 there is a very brief commentary on the Futuro House. Interestingly it quotes the Futuro as having 20 windows, the configuration most often found in European examples, but it lists the prices normally quoted for the US market - $10,000 for the shell or $14,000 for a fully furnished model.

Dimensions Of Change Cover  Dimensions Of Change Page 71

  • Author: Don Fabun
  • Hardcover: 160 pages
  • Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 1ST edition (June 1971)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0024755001
  • ISBN-13: 978-0024755001
  • Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches

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  Gravity: Tilted Perspectives on Rocketships, Rollercoasters, Earthquakes and Angel Food written by Joseph Lanza is a book I have to confess I have not read so I cannot tell you what it is about.

On page 201 in a chapter titled "Epilogue: Angel Food Futurism" we find an oft published photo of a Futuro being transported by helicopter tagged "A House Is Like A Pastry." The accompanying text includes perhaps the most bizarre description of a Futuro I have ever seen when it stated that it may look "more like a scone than an angel food cake."

Gravity Cover  Gravity Page 201

  • Author: Joseph Lanza
  • Paperback: 213 pages
  • Publisher: Interlink Publishing Group Inc (January 1, 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0704380560
  • ISBN-13: 978-0704380561
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches

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  Egofugal: 7th International Istanbul Biennial (September 22-November 17, 2001) edited by Huseyin Karagoz which could perhaps be described as a kind of program or catalogue for the Biennial surprisingly contains no pictures of the Futuro that was displayed at the Biennial.

There are however several pages of interest to the "Futuro fan". Pages 160-161 carry a short article on the Futuro House and some photos and we find brief biographies of Matti Suuronen and Mika Taanila on pages 206 and 205 respectively.

Egofugal Cover  Egofugal Page 205  Egofugal Page 206

Egofugal Pages 160-161

  • Editor: Huseyin Karagoz
  • Paperback: 248 pages
  • Publisher: Istanbul: Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (January 1, 2001)
  • Language: English & Turkish
  • ASIN: B005CZF418
  • ISBN-10: 9757383227
  • Product Dimensions: 9.0 x 6.5 x 0.6 inches

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Berlin Wasserwelten | Purchased 111012

  Berlin Wasserwelten ["Berlin Water Worlds" based on Google Translate] written by Corinna Weidner & Max Hiller is a guide to many of the waterways in the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region, the areas that surround them and the sites, food, architecture, attractions and culture found there.

On pages 82-83 of the guide we find an article on the Berlin Futuro owned by Cora Geißler. What does the article tell us about the Futuro? Currently I have absolutely no idea; once I get the article translated into English I will update this page.

As stated above I have no idea what any of the text of the Futuro article in this book says. So, if anyone is able to translate from German to English and would like to help out let me know. I can provide full size images for the purpose. Failing that at some point I will find someone who is in the business of translating and engage their services.

Berlin Wasserwelten Cover  Berlin Wasserwelten Pages 82-83

  • Author: Corinna Weidner & Max Hiller
  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Grebennikov Verlag (May 1, 2011)
  • Language: German
  • ISBN-10: 3941784145
  • ISBN-13: 978-3941784147
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches

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  Fieldens of Todmorden: A Nineteenth Century Business Dynasty written by Brian R. Law is an in depth study of the Fielden family and its business and history. It is far too "heavy" a read for me.

The book does however include a cool photo of the Todmorden Futuro captioned as follows:

"Waterside Plastics made a glass fibre house in the old Fielden Mill. Here it is being moved to a position in the town centre where it was used in the celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of Todmorden ..."

The Fieldens of Todmorden Cover  The Fieldens of Todmorden Page 282

  • Author: Brian R. Law
  • Hardcover: 302 pages
  • Publisher: G. Kelsall (1995)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0946571260
  • ISBN-13: 978-0946571260
  • Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.25 x 1.0 inches

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  PreFab Houses written by Arnt Cobbers & Oliver Jahn is what I would describe as a "coffee table book" [and a big one at that; it weighs in at 7 lbs].

The book contains a short article on the Futuro along with several photographs. Among the photos are shots of the Futuro that was displayed at the Internationale Kunststoffhaus Ausstellung der Welt that opened in 1971 outside the German town of Lüdenscheid. We also see Casoni & Casoni's Rondo in two of the photos and Jean Maneval's Bulle Six Coques in one.

Prefab Houses Cover  Prefab Houses Page 151

Prefab Houses Pages 158-159

Prefab Houses Pages 160-161

Prefab Houses Pages 162-163

Prefab Houses Pages 164-165

  • Authors: Arnt Cobbers & Oliver Jahn
  • Editor: Peter Gossel
  • Hardcover: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Taschen (August 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 3836507536
  • ISBN-13: 978-3836507530
  • Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 1.8 x 13.1 inches

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Move House | Purchased 012913

  Move House written by Sean Topham takes a look at a variety of mobile, prefabricated and other "non-standard" housing ideas and projects.

The forty or so specific projects discussed in the book are all late 1990's or 2000's. In the first, and introductory, chapter which recounts some of the history of innovative and unusual architecture of a mobile, or at least portable, nature Topham includes a brief paragraph on the Futuro House. The content is generic and we learn nothing new about the Futuro House. There is also a single photo.

Move House - Cover  Move House - Page 15

  • Author: Sean Topham
  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: Prestel Publishing (May 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 379133056X
  • ISBN-13: 978-3791330563
  • Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.4 x 0.8 inches

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Houses In Finland | Purchased 021913

At the time of writing this book is not available on Amazon probably because it is a rip off. I purchased a copy on E-Bay and it is available on various retail sites. I strongly recommend you do not buy this book. The article on the Futuro is simply a direct copy of text from the Wikipedia Futuro House page.

The publisher justifies this as follows:

"Hephaestus Books represents a new publishing paradigm, allowing disparate content sources to be curated into cohesive, relevant, and informative books. To date, this content has been curated from Wikipedia articles and images under Creative Commons licensing, although as Hephaestus Books continues to increase in scope and dimension, more licensed and public domain content is being added. We believe books such as this represent a new and exciting lexicon in the sharing of human knowledge."

We are all entitled to our opinions but grabbing a few articles from Wikipedia, binding them in a book and then taking money from people for something they can get freely on the internet is not new at all. The "con" is something that has been around a long time and this is most certainly a "con" and not an exciting new way to share human knowledge.

Houses In Finland Cover  Houses In Finland Page 13  A Letter To Annabelle Page 84

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  Finland: Modern Architectures in History written by Roger Connah is described on the back cover as providing "A compelling view of the country's political, cultural and artistic evolution and how it affected the work of its leading architects..."

Of course that describes something far "deeper" than I have the inclination or the time to read and so I have not read the book as a whole but there is a short [very general and lacking in detail] paragraph on the Futuro accompanied by a single photograph on pages 229 and 230.

Finland: Modern Architectures In History - Cover  Finland: Modern Architectures In History - Page 230

  • Author: Roger Connah
  • Paperback: 280 pages
  • Publisher: Reaktion Books (March 15, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1861892500
  • ISBN-13: 978-1861892508
  • Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.9 x 8.7 inches

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Gluck/Skop | Purchased 032013

  Gluck, Skop (German Edition) written by Carsten Höller documents a number of the belgian artist's exhibitions and works.

The book is in German so I am unable to read it but it appears to contain information on three of Höller's exhibitions including the Skop exhibition which took place at the Wiener Secession and ran from 051096 through 070796 in Vienna, Austria and featured Futuro #000 [now in Rotterdam, Netherlands]. The book features several photographs of the Futuro House on display at the exhibition.

Gluck/Skop Cover  Gluck/Skop Pages 50-51

Gluck/Skop Pages 56-57

Gluck/Skop Pages 60-61

Gluck/Skop Pages 62-63

  • Author: Carsten Höller
  • Paperback: 80 pages
  • Publisher: Oktagon (1996)
  • Language: German
  • ISBN-10: 3896110225
  • ISBN-13: 978-3896110220
  • Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.3 x 8.7 inches

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The Plastics Architect | Purchased 062213

  The Plastics Architect written by Arthur Quarmby is a 1974 book that, according to the cover notes, gave "real coverage to the architectural application of plastics, written especially for the architect."

Though interesting in its own right so far I have not been able to find any mention of the Futuro House in the text of the book [though I have to confess I have not spent a huge amount of time trying] but on page 121 we do find some Futuro House plans along with a single [and often used] photo of the Hirvensalmi Futuro.

Finland: Modern Architectures In History - Cover  Finland: Modern Architectures In History - Page 230

  • Author: Arthur Quarmby
  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Pall Mall Press (1974)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0269028250
  • ISBN-13: 978-0269028250
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches

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The Playboy Book: Forty Years | Purchased 082012

  The Playboy Book: Forty Years edited by Gretchen Edgren is a lavish pictorial history of the first 40 years of Hugh Hefner's Playboy empire.

The September 1970 issue of Playboy Magazine featured one of the best known articles on the Futuro House, "Portable Playhouse", and may have been, at least in part, responsible for increased interest in the Futuro House in the US during the early 1970's. This book contains a short paragraph referencing this article along with a couple of photographs.

Playboy 40 Years Cover  Playboy 40 Years Page 174

  • Editor: Gretchen Edgren
  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: General Pub Group; First Edition edition (May 1994)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1881649032
  • ISBN-13: 978-1881649038
  • Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.4 x 1.3 inches

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The House Book | Purchased 082413

  The House Book written by the Editors of Phaidon Press is a small book that packs in a whole lot of content.

At some 500 pages and a house per page this book is a fascinating look at all manner of houses from around the globe. The Futuro House is featured on page 428 where we find a short general write up and a single black and white photograph. Even if you would not be interested in buying a book for a single Futuro reference you might consider this one; it makes for a very interesting read.

The House Book - Cover  The House Book - Page 428

  • Author: Editors of Phaidon Press
  • Paperback: 520 pages
  • Publisher: Phaidon Press (April 8, 2004)
  • English
  • ISBN-10: 0714843857
  • ISBN-13: 978-0714843858
  • Product Dimensions: 1.1 x 5 x 6.4 inches

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From Bakelite To Composite | Purchased 083113

  From Bakelite To Composite: Design In New Materials written by Adriaan Beukers, Moniek Bucquoye, Lieven Daenen and Klaus Drechsler was inspired by the exhibition "From Bakelite To Composite" that ran from 110902 through 022303 at the Design Museum in Ghent, Belgium.

Though there was no Futuro displayed at the exhibition [at least as far as I can tell] the book mentions the Futuro and includes a photo on page 164. At least some publicity materials for the exhibition also included the Futuro House.

From Bakelite To Composite - Cover  From Bakelite To Composite - Page 164

  • Authors: Adriaan Beukers, Moniek Bucquoye, Lieven Daenen, Klaus Drechsler
  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Stichting Kunstboek; Bilingual edition (March 2, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9058560864
  • ISBN-13: 978-9058560865
  • Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 8.3 x 10 inches

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  In the Mountains of Karachai-Circassia written by Vladimir Voina is very similar to the book "Dombai" that I acquired about a week ago. Like that book this one features photography of the area around the Dombai Futuro by Alexander Markelov and text in both Russian and English.

Page 123 includes a photograph of the Dombai Futuro taken at night; there is a brief mention of the Futuro in the text though it is not referred to as a Futuro. Though very similar to a photograph in the book "Dombai" it is actually a different photograph.

In The Mountains Of Karachai-Circassia - Cover  In The Mountains Of Karachai-Circassia - Page 123

  • Author: Vladimir Voina
  • Designer: Vladimir Yankilevskyk
  • Photographer: Alexander Markelov
  • Hardcover: 144 pages
  • Publisher: Planeta Publishers; Revised Edition (1986)
  • Language: Russian & English
  • ISBN-10: Unknown
  • ISBN-13: Unknown
  • Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 10.5 x 0.55 inches

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Amazing & Unusual USA | Purchased 091713

  Amazing and Unusual USA (Hardcover) written by Jeff Bahr and Janet Friedman is 320 pages absolutely full of a multitude of unusual and interesting sites that can be found all over the USA. If you are ever wanting to plan a road trip and have a taste for the unusual you could do worse that taking a look through a copy of this book.

On page 134 of the book we find a short article on the pair of Futuros in Carlisle, Ohio. The article is short and not very informative and it is accompanied by a single photograph.

Amazing & Unusual - USA Cover  Amazing & Unusual USA - Page 134

  • Authors: Jeff Bahr & Janet Friedman
  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Publications International, Ltd.; 1st hardcover edition edition (January 1, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1412716837
  • ISBN-13: 978-1412716833
  • Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 1.2 x 9.9 inches

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Muovikirja | Purchased 092813

Muovikirja is a book in Finnish and is yet another in the growing list of things I have to get translated at some point. The book is sub-titled "Arkitavaraa ja designesineitä" which Google Translate tells me means "The stuff everyday and design objects." The Google translation is clearly not very precise but the book is equally clearly focused on design.

For the most part the book seems to deal with smaller objects and interior design but on pages 144 and 145 we find a small section on Matti Suuronen which covers both Futuro and Venturo; there is one picture of the Futuro once located in Hirvensalmi, Finland and now located at the WeeGee Exhibition Center.

I obtained my copy of this book on Adlibris and to date I have not found a copy elsewhere. Adlibris ships only within Scandinavia so if you were interested in obtaining a copy outside of that region you would need someone with a Scandinavian address to take delivery of the book from Adlibris and then forward it on.

Muovikirja Cover  Muovikirja Pages 144 & 145

  • Author: Hannele Nyman & Tuula Poutasuo
  • Hardcover: 223 pages
  • Publisher: WSOY 2004
  • Language: Finnish
  • ISBN-10: 9510291323
  • ISBN-13: 978-9510291320
  • Product Dimensions: 9.75 x 0.5 x 8.9 inches

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Dazzledorf | Purchased 101813

Charles Wilp [1932-2005] was a prominent German advertising mogul, artist and photographer. By all accounts he was a "larger than life" and perhaps eccentric character and he certainly made his mark on the advertising scene, perhaps most notably with his 1968 Afri-Cola campaign.

Among many "claims to fame" Wilp was the owner of a Futuro House which was located on the roof of his Wittlaer, Germany residence. The Futuro House was a gift from the pharmaceutical giant Bayer who co-sponsored the 1971 "Holiday Building Exhibition" held in Iserlohn, Germany. Bayer provided the chemical materials to construct the Futuro and, at the end of the exhibition, gave the Futuro to Wilp who then transported it to Wittlaer and, after reinforcing the concrete roof of his house with steel, placed it on top of his residence.

The book "Dazzledorf: Suburb Of The World - 20 Years Of Photography" chronicles some of Wilp's life and work through photographs and the book includes three photographs featuring the Futuro House; one showing a Futuro being transported by air, one of Wilp and a large party of guests in front of the Futuro and a third showing the Futuro "wrapped" by renowned artist
Christo.

More information on Wilp's Futuro, demolished in the early 1980's, can be found here.

Dazzledorf Cover  Dazzledorf Pages 80 & 81

Dazzledorf Pages 82 & 83

Dazzledorf Pages 84 & 85

  • Author: Charles Wilp
  • Photographer: Charles Wilp
  • Hardcover: 154 pages
  • Publisher: Melzer 1979
  • Language: German | English
  • ISBN-10: Unknown
  • ISBN-13: Unknown
  • Product Dimensions: 14 x 0.75 x 11.4 inches

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Magazines | Updated 092813

     *** Latest Additions

Playboy | September 1970 | Purchased 080212

The September 1970 issue of Playboy Magazine featured one of the best known articles on the Futuro House, "Portable Playhouse", and may have been, at least in part, responsible for increased interest in the Futuro House in the US during the early 1970's.

There was even a Futuro House at the Playboy Club at Lake Geneva near Janesville, WI for a year. For more information on that see A Letter To Annabelle and the Janesville Futuro.

I found my copy of this magazine on this site but there are many sites selling Playboy back issues and if you are interested this should not be hard to find.

Playboy Cover  Playboy Page 179

Playboy Page 180-181

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Cabin Life | February 2009 | Purchased 091612

In an article in the February 2009 issue of Cabin Life magazine Robin Washington, a local Wisconsin journalist, recounts a little Futuro history, a little history of his own fascination with the Futuro and also tells us a little about Drew Poggeman's "Pod Up North", a Futuro available for holiday rentals on Lake Sumach, Wisconsin.

I found my copy of this magazine on the website Kalmbach Bookstore. I just checked and they did not have it listed at the time of writing but at with most magazines, at least the ones that are not too old, a search online will likely turn up a copy if it interests you.

Cabin Life Cover  Cabin Life Page 66

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Popular Science | March 1970 | Purchased 092912

The Futuro House is one of several "Vacation Homes You Buy By Mail" discussed in an article published in the March 1970 issue of Popular Science. A photograph of Futuro 001, at the time located in Hirvensalmi, Finland and now at the WeeGee Exhibition Center, Espoo, Finland accompanies a short write up.

The article lists the cost of a "shell" at $10,000 and the cost of a fully equipped unit at $14,000. The article also includes One interesting fact I had not seen anywhere else; it states that the shell comes in 16 pieces and that "... a total of 704 pieces provides the built-in furnishings."

The "PS Buyers Guide To Vacation Homes" on Page 92 provides the following details for the Futuro House:

  • Maker | Futuro Corp, 1900 Rittenhouse Sq., Philadelphia, PA 19103
  • Primary Area | U.S. and Caribbean
  • Construction | Squat fiberglass globe
  • Form Offered | Builder-Erected, Finished
  • Remarks | Flying saucer house, furnished and carpeted, may arrive by truck, barge or helicopter

The mention of the caribbean is interesting; though there are, as we all know several Futuro Houses in the US I have to say I have never heard of one ever being in the Caribbean at any time - I guess we simply have to assume that was a failed marjeting strategy.

I found my copy of this magazine on BackIssues.com.

Popular Science 1970 Cover  Popular Science 1970 Page 90

Popular Science 1970 Page 92

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Weird N.J. | Issue #22 | May 2004 | Purchased 100312

The magazine Weird N.J. certainly lives up to it's name, I doubt there are many quite so eclectic magazines out there. Having said that it does make for an interesting read and, should you ever be visiting New Jersey, it might even provide a few pointers as to things to do and see.

Page 15 of Issue # 22 [May 2004] features three short Futuro articles accompanied by three photos:

  • A little general Futuro history along with a photo of a page from the 1971 "Last Whole Earth Catalog " which features some original sales information including advertising the Futuro for $10,000 for just the shell or $14,000 fully equipped.
  • Some historical information about the Futuro that was a part of an amusement ride at Morey's Pier from the early 1970's until the mid 1980's. That Futuro is of course now located in Greenwich, New Jersey.
  • A short piece about the Futuro located in Willingboro, New Jersey along with a photograph.

This issue of the magazine is still available for purchase on the Weird N.J. website.

Weird N.J. #22 Cover  Weird N.J. #22 Page 15

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Dwell | October/November 2004 | Purchased 100312

The October/November 2004 issue of Dwell contains a very short piece on the Gulf Breeze Futuro.

The piece is actually a reader's letter and is in response to the Futuro article in the July/August 2004 issue of Dwell. The letter is accompanied by a small photograph.

Dwell October/November 2004 Cover  Dwell October/November 2004 Page 26

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Weird N.J. | Issue #21 | October 2003 | Purchased 101512

Issue #21 [October 2003] of Weird N.J. features an interesting article on the process of transporting the Greenwich Futuro to its current location. The article is accompanied by some very cool photos of the Futuro during the journey across New Jersey.

It is interesting to note that one of the photos appears very similar to a photo in the book Weird Maryland but it is not captioned there and the Greenwich Futuro is not mentioned in the book. the photos are not identical but one [the one in the magazine] is almost certainly a cropped version of the other.

This article provides some interesting pointers as to the whereabouts of the Futuro prior to Greenwich.

This issue of the magazine is still available for purchase on the Weird N.J. website.

Weird N.J. #21 Cover  Weird N.J. #21 Page 63

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Casa Brutus | #13 | April 2001 | Purchased 101712 [Japanese]

Pages 130-131 of this issue show a version of the often seen image showing a mock up of multiple Futuros on a rocky hillside. On pages 132-133 we see several photos, some drawings and some images of Futuro models. The photos include one of the Dombai Futuro and an intriguing photo of three Futuros together in a field; one of them is marked "Futuro Bungalows". Interesting to me because "bungalow" is a term I was familiar with back when I lived in the UK and it is not a term in use here in the US [that I know of anyway].

As with all of my issues of Casa Brutus I have absolutely no idea what any of the text says. So, if anyone is able to translate from Japanese to English and would like to help out let me know. I can provide full size images for the purpose. Failing that at some point I will find someone who is in the business of translating and engage their services.

Casa Brutus #13 April 2001 Cover  Casa Brutus #13 April 2001 Pages 130-131

Casa Brutus #13 April 2001 Pages 132-133

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Casa Brutus | #19 | October 2001 | Purchased 101712 [Japanese]

On page 127 of the October 2001 issue of Casa Brutus we see a Futuro for sale. The advertised price is five million yen; at today's exchange rates that is about $62650 or about $81,650 [based on this online inflation calculator]. There is a photo of the exterior and three interior shots. The Futuro looks to be in either excellent original condition or it has been very well restored.

As with all of my issues of Casa Brutus I have absolutely no idea what any of the text says. So, if anyone is able to translate from Japanese to English and would like to help out let me know. I can provide full size images for the purpose. Failing that at some point I will find someone who is in the business of translating and engage their services.

Casa Brutus #19 October 2001 Cover  Casa Brutus #19 October 2001 Page 127

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Casa Brutus | #20 | November 2001 | Purchased 101712 [Japanese]

In this issue of Casa Brutus we again see a Futuro for sale for five million yen; not being able to read the text it is hard to know for sure but it seems highly likely this is the same on as was for sale in the previous issue of Casa Brutus [#19]. Interestingly the photo that accompanies it appears to be of the Futuro featured in Casa Brutus #16 rather than the photo that accompanied the "for sale" article in issue #19. It may well be that they are one and the same and that it was moved and made ready for sale between the two articles. Perhaps it will become more clear once I get the text translated.

As with all of my issues of Casa Brutus I have absolutely no idea what any of the text says. So, if anyone is able to translate from Japanese to English and would like to help out let me know. I can provide full size images for the purpose. Failing that at some point I will find someone who is in the business of translating and engage their services.

Casa Brutus #20 November 2001 Cover  Casa Brutus #20 November 2001 Page 76

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Casa Brutus | #29 | August 2002 | Purchased 101712 [Japanese]

Pages 32 and 34 of this issue of Casa Brutus both include well known and often used Futuro shots; they are among other photos illustarting an article entitled "Nordic Design - A Utopian Odyssey".

As with all of my issues of Casa Brutus I have absolutely no idea what any of the text says. So, if anyone is able to translate from Japanese to English and would like to help out let me know. I can provide full size images for the purpose. Failing that at some point I will find someone who is in the business of translating and engage their services.

Casa Brutus #29 August 2002 Cover  Casa Brutus #29 August 2002 Page 32  Casa Brutus #29 August 2002 Page 34

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Dwell | February 2001 | Purchased 102412

Page 92 of the February 2001 issue of Dwell includes a short paragraph on the Futuro House along with a single photo; the Futuro is featured, along with other often "futuristic" and perhaps "quirky" architectural designs in an article entitled "Electronic Cottage".

Dwell February 2001 Cover  Dwell February 2001 Page 92

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Whole Earth Catalog | Fall 1969 | Purchased 102712

The homepage on the publications website tells us that "in 1968 Stewart Brand launched an innovative publication called The Whole Earth Catalog. It was groundbreaking, enlightening, and spawned a group of later publications." On the website most of the publications are chronicled and in many cases digital full text versions are available. The purpose of the publications is explained this way:

"We are as gods and might as well get good at it. So far remotely done power and glory - as via government, big business, formal education, church - has succeeded to the point where the gross defects obscure actual gain. In response to this dilemma and to these gains a realm of intimate, person power is developing - power of the individual to conduct his own education, find his own inspiration, shape his own environment, and share his adventure with whoever is interested. Tools that aid this process are sought and promoted by the WHOLE EARTH CATALOG."

The Whole Earth Catalog is probably not something you would sit down and read like a book but its eclectic and diverse content can be an interesting read in small doses and in among it all we find, on page 19, a short article on the Futuro House. The article is essentially a list of specifications with a couple of photos, pricing and contact information for the US Distributor.

Whole Earth Catalog Fall 1969 Cover  Whole Earth Catalog Fall 1969 Page 19

Whole Earth Catalog Fall 1969 Futuro Detail

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Science & Mechanics | January 1970 | Purchased 102812

Science and Mechanics is a cool little magazine that was started by writer, editor, inventor and entrepreneur Hugo Gernsback. Initially titled Everyday Mechanics, it became Everyday Science and Mechanics in 1931. In 1937 the name was shortened to Science & Mechanics and it was published until 1984 under that final title.

In the January 1970 issue of the magazine we find an interesting multi-page article on the Futuro House titled "Instant Leisure Home". The article is, unlike many I have seen, very forthright in its appraisal of the Futuro; among other comments criticisms were aimed at statements that the Futuro could accommodate eight people with the article suggesting four was a much more reasonable number [an idea I have to say I completely agree with], at the lack of storage, at the cost of transporting a Futuro and at the base cost per square foot. The article even described the kitchen and bathroom as being more akin to galley and head on an airplane or boat.

Perhaps the most interesting statement though relates to planned Futuro production; we read that:

"Production was recently begun in the United States, with 10,000 units scheduled to be turned out here in 1970."

As we all know reality turned out to be a radically different from that lofty and ambitious business plan.

Science & Mechanics January 1970 Cover  Science & Mechanics January 1970 Page 38

Science & Mechanics January 1970 Page 39  Science & Mechanics January 1970 Page 40  Science & Mechanics January 1970 Page 92

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The Last Whole Earth Catalog | July 1971 | Purchased 111612

The Futuro House had made an appearance in two previous issues of the iconic Whole Earth Catalog series; it can be seen in the Fall 1969 and Spring 1970 issues. The article that appeared in the two previous issues was the same but in this version of the Catalog there is a condensed version; the content that is there is the same but there is less of it.

The Last Whole Earth Catalog Cover  The Last Whole Earth Catalog Page 92

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Hobby: Das Magazin der Technik | 092971 | Purchased 112512

As with the 122370 Issue of Hobby: Das Magazin der Technik Achim Breiling has assisted in understanding what the Futuro related article is all about. Once again, thanks Achim.

This issue contains an article on the 1971 Internationale Kunststoffhaus Ausstellung in Lüdenscheid, Germany. The exhibition featured the Futuro along with other plastic houses of the time. The article includes one photograph of the Futuro.

I received a copy of the book Homes: Today & Tomorrow the same day as I received the two Hobby magazines and by a strange coincidence that book happens to contain a photograph I believe is from that very same exhibition that features both the Futuro and Casoni & Casoni's Rondo.

Hobby: Das Magazin der Technik | 092971 | Cover  Hobby: Das Magazin der Technik | 092971 | Page 70

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American Home | September 1969 | Purchased 120712

The September 1969 issue of American Home magazine contains an article about the Futuro House on pages 68-71 that includes some nice photos and continues with text only on pages 118-119. The primary photo is the often used night time shot of a Futuro at Philadelphia Airport under a crescent moon; pages 70 and 71 include some good interior shots and a floor plan.

The article is fairly typical of the early Futuro days; a rosy future and plans for significant production numbers. In this case the article reports plans for 300 Futuros to be manufactured before the end of 1969 and goes on to quote Leonard Fruchter, head of the Futuro Corporation, as indicating that production for 1970 was expected to be 10,000 units. As we know those plans never came to pass.

The article includes some interesting details about costs over and above the standard $10,000 for a shell and $14,000 for a furnished unit. It adds some details on estimated shipping costs reporting that road transportation could be expected to cost $500 to $700 per 500 miles with air transport pushing the numbers up to a hefty $1000 per 100 miles though that could be expected to fall at the end of the Vietnam war when a large number of pilots and helicopters would return to civilian use. The lifespan of a Futuro is estimated at 30 years.

In among the facts and positive aspects of the Futuro the article also reports on some of the commonly reported negatives; among them doubts about the suggestion that a Futuro could accommodate eight people, the article suggests four was more reasonable, observations on the lack of storage space and inadequacies of the bathroom facilities.

All in all an interesting article and a nice addition to a Futuro collection.

American Home Magazine September 1969 Cover  American Home Magazine September 1969 Pages 68-69

American Home Magazine September 1969 Pages 70-71

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D2 | December 2 2011 | Received 011313 [Norwegian]

Oslo based Norwegian daily newspaper Dagens Næringsliv publishes D2, a free lifestyle magazine, each week with its Friday edition. The 120211 issue of D2 includes an article on the Norwegian Futuro House [pages 36-40].

The article, titled "Tilbake Til Fremtiden" [which Google translates to "Back To The Future"], was written by Elisabeth Sperre Alnes [Elizabeth's blog post on the article can be found here [Norwegian | Google translation to English here]. Of course I cannot read the article which is now another on the list of things I need to get translated [if you happen to be able to translate Norwegian and would like to help out let me know; I can provide hi-res images of the article for the purpose].

Despite my inability to read the article it does contain some great photos [taken by the author] and the photos clearly illustrate the fact that this Futuro is in very good condition.

I must say a huge thank you to Dagens Næringsliv; not only were they happy to send me a copy of the magazine at no charge they would not even let me pay for the shipping from Norway to the US. In this day and age where everything seems to be about money it was a surprise, and a very refreshing surprise at that, to come across a business which would do something like that; thank you again Dagens Næringsliv.

Whole Earth Catalog Fall 1970 Cover  Whole Earth Catalog Spring 1970 Page 21

Whole Earth Catalog Spring 1970 Futuro Detail

Whole Earth Catalog Spring 1970 Futuro Detail

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Design From Scandinavia | Issue 3 1970 | Purchased 042913

The annual magazine Design from Denmark was launched by publisher Kirsten Bjerregaard in 1967. The following year the publication was renamed Design from Scandinavia. Issue 3 of the publication included a short, very general, article on the Futuro House with text in three languages including English and several photographs including one very oft published photo of the Hirvensalmi Futuro [now at the WeeGee Exhibition Center].

I believe this issue was published in 1970 but I am not sure; if you search on Amazon or for that matter anywhere else for issues of Design From Scandinavia the quoted publication dates for the various issues often differ. The magazine itself, at least in the case of Issue 3, does not display the publication date anywhere.

Design From Scandinavia 3 1970 Cover  Design From Scandinavia 3 1970 Pages 6-7

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Apu | Issue 38 092068 | Purchased 082813 [Finnish]

Futuro 001 was owned by TV celebrity Matti Kuusla and located in Hirvensalmi, Finland. The Futuro is now fully restored and on display to the public during the summer months at the WeeGee Exhibition Center in Espoo, Finland. See the WeeGee Futuro page for more information on Futuro 001.

Issue 38 [092068] of the Finnish Magazine Apu included a four page feature on Matti Kuusla and his Futuro on pages 42 to 45; Kuusla and his Futuro also feature on the cover of the magazine. The feature includes both exterior and interior photos including one rather cool photo showing Kuusla on the steps of the Futuro that I have never seen before. The magazine is in Finnish so I cannot read the article - another one on the list to get translated sometime.

Issue 49 [120569] of Apu also featured an article about the Futuro House.

Apu #38 092068 Cover  Apu #38 092068 Pages 42-43

Apu #38 092068 Pages 44-45

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Interior Design | February 2003 | Purchased 092713

Page 215 of the February 2003 issue of Interior Design Magazine features a short article along with a single photograph of the Gulf Breeze Futuro. The article never mentions the name "Futuro House"; rather it describes the structure as the "UFO House" though it does correctly attribute the design to Matti Suuronen. The article also suggests only 20 were manufactured which we know to be very understated.

Interio Design Cover  Interior Design Page 215

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Vanity Fair | January 2012 | Purchased 080212

Vanity Fair's January 2012 issue featured a single page on the Los Angeles Futuro. The article is dominated by a very cool night time shot of the Futuro. The text is brief and relates a little general commentary about the Futuro House and the 2009 purchase at auction [for $50,000] of this particular Futuro by current owner Mark Haddawy.

I found my copy of this magazine on Amazon.com.

Vanity Fair Cover  Vanity Fair Page 29

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Dwell | July/August 2004 | Purchased 080812

The July/August 2004 issue of Dwell featured a two page Futuro article which included some commentary, a couple of nice though very "70's" photos along with a cool panoramic photo of the Dombai Futuro.

I happened to find a copy of this magazine on Amazon; at the time of writing it is no longer available there but a Google search will likely turn up several options if this interests you.

Dwell Cover  Dwell Page 90  DwellPage92

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Scenario | January 2011 | Purchased 091612

The January 2011 issue of Scenario Magazine featured a short article with a little general Futuro history and one image [from the book Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday]. I found my copy on E-Bay.

Scenario Cover  Scenario Pages 70-71

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CA Modern | Winter 2007 | Purchased 092912

CA Modern's Winter 2007 issue includes an excellent and detailed article about the Idyllwild Futuro. It includes some great photographs, a lot of fascinating information about the process of transporting the unit by road to its current location and much more. It also includes some interesting information on the Gulf Breeze Futuro. Probably the best and most informative magazine article I have read.

I purchased a copy from the Publishers website. Actually I purchased two - the Eichler Network store had a $12 minimum purchase and the magazine was $10 so it would not let me purchase a single copy. If anyone is interested in purchasing my extra copy or trading it for something I do not have please let me know.

CA Modern Cover  CA Modern Pages 10-11

CA Modern Pages 12-13  CA Modern Page 29

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House & Garden | September 1969 | Purchased 092912

In an article titled "What's New For Living" the September 1969 issue of House & Garden features a very short description of the Futuro that includes one of my all time favorite Futuro quotes:

"Perched high on steel tubing with a drop-down, airplane-like stair door that locks from either inside or out, Futuro is an unbreachable fortress."

If someone asked me to describe a Futuro in one word "Fortress" would not be it though I imagine if you lived in a Futuro once you locked yourself inside it was probably pretty secure.

I found my copy of this magazine on BackIssues.com.

House Garden Cover  House Garden Page 54

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Popular Science | February 1984 | Purchased 100312

The Futuro House inspired several very simlar projects over the years and one of them was the Tony Gilbert designed Aqaushel which could be described as a floating Futuro "look alike".

The February 1984 issue of Popular Science included a short article on the Aquashel. The article does not indicate whether Gilbert was inspired by the Futuro but it seems, based on the evidence, that we can assume that "beyond a reasonable doubt" [to use a term nore normally associated with the legal system].

The article tells us that Aquashel, much like Futuro, was designed for ease of production and transport, on site assembly and that it was constructed from 20 [unlike Futuro's 16] segments. Once you take that information and then take a look at a photo, for me at least, the Futuro influence is evident.

Aquashell cost between £40,000 and $60,000 so it was more costly than Futuro [though some 10 or so years later] and was designed to be located on water and not on land. There is a cool 1985 photo of the Aquashel by nancyo23 on Flickr.

Popular Science 1984 Cover  Popular science 1984 Page 67

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Weird N.J. | Issue #23 | October 2004 | Purchased 100312

Issue #23 [October 2004] of the magazine Weird N.J. features a captioned photo of the Buxton Futuro and a short article which references the two Delaware Futuros [Milton and Houston] and recounts the author's encounter with them during a trip; the article is accompanied by a photo of the Houston Futuro.

It is interesting to note that this article which references two Futuros in Delaware appears in a magazine all about New Jersey also appears in the book Weird Maryland.

This issue of the magazine is still available for purchase on the Weird N.J. website.

Weird N.J. #23 Cover  Weird N.J. #23 Page 90

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Nu: The Nordic Art Review | 1/99 | Purchased 101212

In an article on page 11 of the first issue of Nu: The Nordic Art Review Susanna Pettersson recounts a little of the history of the Futuro and reviews the Mika Taanila film "Futuro - A New Stance For Tomorrow".

The article is accompanied by a very widely published photo of Mika Taanila holding a Futuro House model. In addition there is a photo of a Futuro on a construction site, the photo looks like perhaps a new neighborhood is being constructed in an almost dessert like environment. I had never known where or when this photograph was taken; this article clears up that mystery and informs us the photo is a 1968 shot of a Futuro House in South Africa.

Nu Cover  Nu Pages 10-11

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Casa Brutus | Summer 1999 | Purchased 101712 [Japanese]

In this particular issue, Summer 1999, on pages 12-13 we see a photo of a Futuro being loaded onto a ship for transport out of Helsinki in 1969; this photo is also found in the book Home Delivery: Fabricating The Modern Dwelling; there are some additional photos on page 31.

As with all of my issues of Casa Brutus I have absolutely no idea what any of the text says. So, if anyone is able to translate from Japanese to English and would like to help out let me know. I can provide full size images for the purpose. Failing that at some point I will find someone who is in the business of translating and engage their services.

Casa Brutus Summer 1999 Cover  Casa Brutus Summer 1999 Page 31

Casa Brutus Summer 1999 Pages 12-13

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Casa Brutus | #16 | July 2001 | Purchased 101712 [Japanese]

A large photo of a Futuro in a heavily wooded landscape covers pages 116-117 of this issue. As best you can tell from the photo it is a shell and not furnished, some of the windows are also missing. On the following two pages we see several interior shots, likely not the Futuro featured on the previous pages along with a small photo of a Futuro on some sort of work site, perhaps in process of either being placed or removed.

There is also a small photo of what looks like it may be from the Shinto Ceremony that took place at the time of the construction of Japan's first Futuro in Karuizawa. Footage of this ceremony is one of the extras on the DVD of the Mika Taanila film "Futuro: A New Stance for Tomorrow" that accompanies the book "Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday" edited by Marko Home and Mika Taanila.

As with all of my issues of Casa Brutus I have absolutely no idea what any of the text says. So, if anyone is able to translate from Japanese to English and would like to help out let me know. I can provide full size images for the purpose. Failing that at some point I will find someone who is in the business of translating and engage their services.

Casa Brutus #16 July 2001 Cover  Casa Brutus #16 July 2001 Pages 116-117

Casa Brutus #16 July 2001 Pages 118-119

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Casa Brutus | #21 | December 2001 | Purchased 101712 [Japanese]

In the December 2001 issue we find an eight page photo feature. It is titled in English "2001: A Futuro Odyssey"; presumably a play on Stanley Kubbrick's classic 1968 movie "2001; A Space Odyssey". There is a little text on one of the pages but of course I have no idea what it says.

On page 86 there is a photo of a Futuro that appears to be in excellent condition accompanied by a very short write up.

As with all of my issues of Casa Brutus I have absolutely no idea what any of the text says. So, if anyone is able to translate from Japanese to English and would like to help out let me know. I can provide full size images for the purpose. Failing that at some point I will find someone who is in the business of translating and engage their services.

Casa Brutus #21 December 2001 Cover  Casa Brutus #21 December 2001 Page 86

Casa Brutus #21 December 2001 Pages 76-77

Casa Brutus #21 December 2001 Pages 78-79

Casa Brutus #21 December 2001 Pages 80-81

Casa Brutus #21 December 2001 Pages 82-83

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Whole Earth Catalog | Spring 1970 | Purchased 102712

This was the second of two issues of The Whole Earth Catalog I purchased; the other was the Whole Earth Catalog | Fall 1969 Issue and there is a little background on the publication in the narrative for that issue so I will not repeat it here.

In this issue there is a short article on the Futuro House on page 21. The article is essentially a list of specifications with a couple of photos, pricing and contact information for the US Distributor. The article in this issue is almost identical to the one found on page 19 of the Whole Earth Catalog | Fall 1969 Issue.

Whole Earth Catalog Fall 1970 Cover  Whole Earth Catalog Spring 1970 Page 21

Whole Earth Catalog Spring 1970 Futuro Detail

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New Scientist | June 2007 | Purchased 103012

On pages 56 and 57 of the June 2007 issue of New Scientist we find a brief history of the Futuro House. Though rather general in nature and lacking in any real details the article is nevertheless an interesting read and tracks the Futuro from inception to initial interest and promising future, subsequent failure and then all the way through to its place in the world of the 2000's.

New Scientist June 2007 Cover  New Scientist June 2007 Pages 56-57

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Cranes Today | September 2011 | Purchased 103012

The September 2011 issue of Cranes Today Magazine includes an article on the 2010 transport of the Vlotho Futuro to its current location in Witten.

The Futuro was moved by the German Firm August Alborn who received an award from ESTA [the European Association of Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes] for the move. After considering and subsequently discounting disassembly for road transport and air transport the company settled on moving the Futuro by road in a fully assembled state.

Cranes Today September 2011 Cover  Cranes Today September 2011 Page 40

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Hobby: Das Magazin der Technik | 122370 | Purchased 112512

I recently obtained a copy of this issue of Hobby: Das Magazin der Technik along with the 092971 issue from E-Bay Germany with the assistance of Achim Breiling who kindly acted a "middleman" and purchased the magazines on my behalf and then shipped them to the US. Thanks Achim.

I do not understand the article of course, I will get a translation at some point, but Achim tells me that the article is a general article about prefabricated houses, how to buy one and how to prepare the land to place it on. There are two photos of the Futuro; one is a photo of the Hirvensalmi Futuro [now in Espoo] and the other is an interior shot.

The article also mentions that the Futuro could be purchased for 58750 DM from Neckermann [German | English translation by Google here], one of Germany's oldest Mail Order companies.

Hobby: Das Magazin der Technik | 122370 | Cover  Hobby: Das Magazin der Technik | 122370 | Pages 80-81

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Christie's Magazine | December 2007 | Purchased 120712

Few auction houses have the prestige of Christie's and in 2007 a Futuro House was sold at auction by Christie's. The sale, titled "20th Century Art And Design", was held at Christie's in Paris on 112707. The Futuro House was expected to sell for somewhere in the range 150,000 to 180,000 Euros; it actually came in a little under that at a reported 140,000 Euros. Christie's website allows you to access the results of past auctions but searching this sale for the Futuro lot comes up empty; not sure why that would be.

The December 2007 issue of Christie's Magazine includes a two page article on the Futuro House; though dated December it was clearly published earlier than that since the article talks about the "upcoming" November 27th auction. Interestingly it features a photograph of the Futuro displayed at MUDAM earlier that year and this text:

"The rare Futuro house to be offered in the upcoming 27 November sale in Paris was the highlight of the exhibition "Tomorrow Now - When Design Meets Science Fiction" at the brand-new Luxembourg MUDAM museum for modern art this summer."

This text is a little ambiguous; it could be interpreted as meaning that "a" Futuro was displayed at MUDAM or "the" Futuro that is offered for sale was displayed at MUDAM. Until recently I had always thought that the Futuro at MUDAM was the French Futuro but recent information suggests it is more likely to have been the Belgian Futuro and I believe the article is simply using the MUDAM exhibition as an example of a Futuro for the article.

As to which Futuro was sold at auction by Christie's; I have always thought it was the French Futuro and I still do [articles such as this one on YLI talk about the Futuro being sold to a European collector which matches what we know about the French Futuro] though there are some potentially conflicting dates in various documents and a video that can be found on the French Futuro page.

Christie's Magazine December 2007 Cover  Christie's Magazine December 2007 Pages 84-85

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Weird N.J. | Issue #36 | May 2011 | Purchased 121512

The May 2011 issue of the magazine Weird N.J. contains a very short article about the Greenwich Futuro on page 9. The article is reader submitted and is accompanied by a single photo.

Weird N.J. Issue 36 May 2011 Cover  Weird N.J. Issue 36 May 2011 Page 9

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EMMA | Summer 2012 | Purchased 122312

EMMA is a magazine published by the Espoo Museum Of Modern Art and the summer 2012 issue contains an article on the Futuro on pages 14 and 15. The article recounts the emergence of the Futuro into the world of contemporary art in the 1990's; a movement largely initiated by the use of Futuro 000, the original prototype, as a part of "The Eagle Has Landed" exhibit at the Radar Exhibition in Kotka, Finland during the summer of 1990.

EMMA Summer 2012 Cover  EMMA Summer 2012 Pages 14-15

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Curve | Issue 40 2012 | Purchased 020713

Issue 40 of the Australian magazine Curve: The Industrial Design Magazine published in 2012 included a two page article on the WeeGee Futuro. The article text is general and reveals nothing new about the Futuro but the photos that accompany the article include a couple of nice shots.

There is also a review of the definitive Futuro book "Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday" edited By Marko Home & Mika Taanila on page 63.

Curve Issue 40 2012 Cover  Curve Issue 40 2012 Pages 16-17

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Projector | Issue 18 2012 | Purchased 042713 [Russian]

The Russian design magazine Projector featured an article about the Futuro House in Issue 18, 2012. The article spans 6 pages and features several photos. Of course I have no idea what the article actually says as the text is in Russian and this has been added to the growing list of things I will have to get translated at some point. The article can also be found online here.

One interesting take away from this article is a photo of a brochure which lists IFO Promotions as a contact for Futuro House information. I know very little about this companies involvement with the Futuro House; the only previous reference I have seen to it was in an answer by Karen Samples of the Cincinnati Enquirer to a readers question about the Covington Futuro.

I want to extend a big thank you to Mitya Kharshak, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Projector Magazine, for sending me a copy of this issue of the publication.

Projector Magazine Issue 18 2012 Cover  Projector Magazine Issue 18 2012 Pages 56-57

Projector Magazine Issue 18 2012 Pages 58-59

Projector Magazine Issue 18 2012 Pages 60-61

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Apu | Issue 49 120569 | Purchased 082813 [Finnish]

Issue 49 [120569] of the Finnish Magazine Apu includes a four page [pages 44 to 47] article on the Futuro House. The article is accompanied by several photos including some excellent interior shots. Being in Finnish this of course is another article I cannot read and have added to the growing list of things I need to have translated at some point.

Issue 38 [092068] of Apu also contains a Futuro House article.

Apu #49 120569 Cover  Apu #49 120569 Pages 44-45

Apu #49 120569 Pages 46-47

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L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui | Feb/March 1970 | Purchased 092713

Since it's founding by André Bloc in the 1930's L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui, France's oldest and best known Architecture magazine, has grown to become a highly respected magazine known around the world.

The February/March issue of the magazine, #148, includes a short one page article on the Futuro House. The article can be found on page 95 and includes text, a couple of photos and plans.

L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui Cover  L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui Page 95

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Newspapers | Updated 101913

  • *** Voima | June/August 2012 Issue | Finnish | Purchased 101913
     *** Latest Addition

Voima | June/August 2012 Issue | Purchased 101913

The June/August 2012 Issue of Voima, a free monthly tabloid newspaper published in Finland, contains a small article with a single photograph on Futuro #001 located at the WeeGee Exhibition Center in Espoo, Finland.

Voima Cover  Voima Page 53

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