What the future used to look like
Futurama
As the year begins, we can't help but wonder what the future might hold. When looking back at future-visions from the past, the experimental architecture of the 1960s holds quite a few ideas that haven't lost their edge. In postwar society, the prospect of limitless economic and demographic growth prompted many utopian designs for mobile living units, from miniature dwellings to megastructures.
On her recent trip to Paris our beloved photo editor Jules stumbled upon the Futuro House by Finnish Architect Matti Suuronen. Originally conceived as a ski cabin in 1964, it's a transportable living capsule that can be set up in any rough terrain, raised on legs with low wind resistance.
Looking at the fun, ellipsoid shape of the Futuro, we find ourselves lost in imaginative scenarios of living in a flying saucer, like nomads moving from one location to the next whenever we wish.
At around 300 square feet (28 square meters), the Futuro House was designed to accommodate up to eight people. Made from lightweight fiberglass-reinforced plastic, it was suitable for mass fabrication, and although production was quickly suspended—partly due to the oil crisis in 1973—there are still dozens of Futuros spread across the world.
More to Love
Large Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1969
Italian Elda Lounge Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort, 1963
Italian Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1960s
Mid-Century Modern Chairs by Eero Aarnio for Mobel Italia, Set of 4
Vintage Large Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1969
Mid-Century Tulip Swivel Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International
Mid-Century Coffee Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Italian Multicolor Boby Unit by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1968
SaleVintage Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Vintage Executive Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Tulip Marble Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s
Elda Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort, 1963
Italian Revolving Cabinet with Light, 1960s
SaleVintage Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International
Italian Tulip Rio Rosewood Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1950s
Italian Fixed Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s
Italian Arabescato Marble Pedestal Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970
American Calacatta Marble Coffee Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1980s
Side Table with Marble Top by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1960s
Model KD27 Table Lamps by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s, Set of 2
American Red Tulip Side Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1950s
Model Alogena 626 Floor Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1970s
Ebanil KD 27 Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1964
KD 29 Ebanil Desk Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell
American Tulip Side Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1950s
Vintage American Executive Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Vintage American Executive Conference Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Finnish Dining Set by Eero Aarnio for UPO, 1970s, Set of 5
Half Dome Easy Chairs by Eero Aarnio, 1980s, Set of 2
Marble Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s
Birillo Chair by Joe Colombo for Zanotta
Mid-Century Green Executive Side Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll & Wohnbedarf, 1968
SalePoker Table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, 1960s
Vintage KD27 Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell
Model 137 Marble Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1960s
KD 24 Lamps by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1966, Set of 2
Prototype Tableware Service by Joe Colombo for Alitalia, 1968
Triedo Floor Lamp by Joe Colombo, 1970s
Tulip Dining Table with Marble Top by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1960s
Vintage American Tulip Armchairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, Set of 2
Vintage Model 3320/ R Floor Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
4867 Universale Plastic Chairs by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s, Set of 6
KD29 Table Lamps by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1967, Set of 2
Vintage KD27 Table Lamps by Joe Colombo for Kartell, Set of 2
Orange Armchair by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1964
Mid-Century Modern Italian Lamp Acrilica by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1962
Vintage Murano Glass Flash Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
Mid-Century Blue and White Tulip Armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1950s
Mid-Century Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Vintage Topo Clamp Table Light by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo
Topo Desk Lamp by Joe Colombo, 1970s
Vintage Side Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, Set of 4
Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1960s
Coupe Wall Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1960s
Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1968
Captains Chairs by Eero Aarnio for Asko, 1970s, Set of 2
SaleOval Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s
Black Elda Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort, 1963
Vintage Birillo Bar Stools by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, Set of 4
Elda Swivel Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort, 1963
Mid-Century Swivel Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International
Model 151 Tulip Armchairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, Set of 2
Vintage Early 151 White Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, Set of 4
Vintage Superleggera Chair in Red Leather by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast Italy / B-Line
Tulip Stool by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1950s
Pirtti Dinnerchairs by Eero Aarnio for Laukaan Puu, Set of 4
Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970
Executive Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1960s, Set of 2
293 Spider Lamp by Joe Colombo for OLuce, 1966
293 Spider Lamp by Joe Colombo for OLuce, 1966
Universale N. 4960 Dining Chairs by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s, Set of 6
Mid Century Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1960s
Model 4810 Armchair by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1963
Birillo Stool by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, 1971
Flash Table Lamps by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1968, Set of 2
Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Guzzini, 1970
Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen
Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International
Womb Chair and Ottoman by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
Grasshopper Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, Set of 2
Executive Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, Set of 2
Flash 2207 Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
No. 4801 Easy Chair by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960
Tulip Marble Coffee Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Mid Century Spider Table Lamps by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, Set of 2
Fresnel Wall Lamps by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1964, Set of 2
Brillo Bar Stools by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, 1970, Set of 3
Flash Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, ca.1969
Womb Sofa and Ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1950s
Topo Wall Lamp by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo
XL Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1960s
Coupe Writing Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for O-Luce, 1967
Tulip Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Vintage Executive Armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Tube Chair by Joe Colombo for Flexform, 1970
Tulip Coffee Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International
Mid-Century Bubble Chair by Eero Aarnio for Adelta, 1960s
Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell and Husqvarna, 1967
Eero Saarinen, Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia by Balthazar Korab
American Marquina Marble and Aluminum Coffee Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s
Walnut Tulip Dining Table by Eero Saarinen
2202 Coupe Table lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1960s
White Plastic Tulip Chair, 1970s
Vintage Storage Carts by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1970s, Set of 2
Topo Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Stillnovo, 1970s
Mid-Century Marble Tulip Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Associates
Marble Side Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1969
KD 27 Table Lamps by Joe Colombo for Kartell, Set of 2
Large Coupe Floor Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1967
Organic Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s, Set of 4
Pendant Lamp by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo, 1970
Model KD27 Table Lamps by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s, Set of 2
Black Platinum Coffee Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s
Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for De Coene, 1958, Set of 8
Vintage Tulip Side Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International
American Fixed Tulip Chair in Red by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970
American Fixed Tulip Chair in Blue by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970
Vintage BoBy Office Trolley by Joe Colombo
Italian LEM Lounge Chair by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1970s
Italian Executive Chairs by Eero Aarnio for Mobel Italia,1968, Set of 2
Topo Floor Lamp by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo, 1970s
Vintage Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970, Set of 4
Spider Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1967
Swiss Round Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970
Italian Coupe Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
Swedish Executive Arm Chair by Eero Saarinen for Nordiska Kompaniet, 1956
Vintage B33 BoBy Mobile Office Organizer by Joe Colombo
Flash Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
Elda Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort Italy
Vintage Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen
Industrial Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
Topo Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Stilnovo
Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen
Italian Plastic Trolly by Joe Colombo
Oval Coffee Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International
Lem Lounge Chair by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast
KD 27 Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell, Set of 2
KD27 Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell
Alogena 626 Floor Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1972
Acrilica Desk Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce, 1970s
Model 4860 Plastic Chairs by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s, Set of 2
Trolley by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast, 1969
Spider Desk Lamp by Joe Colombo for Oluce
KD 24 Plastic Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1966
KD 24 Table Lamp by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1966
Executive Armchairs by Eero Aarnio for Mobel Italia, 1968, Set of 4
Marble Tulip Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970
Grasshopper Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1960s
Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo, 1969
Mid-Century Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo for B-line