The Futuro House

Finland celebrated 100 years of independence in 2017. Among many events and exhibitions celebrating the event was "100 Objects From Finland" which was described as "an exhibition that illustrates 100-year-old Finland by presenting one object per each year of independence."

The "100 Objects" toured from Helsinki to Tallinn, Oslo, Madrid and Riga through the network of Finnish cultural and science institutes over the course of about 12 months starting mid 2017.

The Futuro House represented the year 1970. The Futuro was represented at the exhibition by images rather than it including an actual Futuro. This postcard is a souvenir of the exhibition, 1970 and the Futuro and carries an image of Craig Barnes UK Futuro. Craig was kind enough to send us the postcard - thanks Craig.






In 1971 the Futuro House, along with many other "plastic" and portable houses, was displayed at the Internationale Kunststoffhaus Ausstellung der Welt (IKA) that opened in 1971 outside the German town of Lüdenscheid.

This postcard, undated but presumably from 1971, shows the IKA campus and is interesting in that it shows the scale of the exhibition and includes a large number of different "plastic" houses and other structures. The Futuro itself can be seen just below and to the right of the center of the postcard (the third photo below shows detail of this area of the postcard). A second postcard showing the exhibition can be found here.








This postcard showing the Dombai Futuro dates from 1979. For a 40 year old item it is in excellent condition. Though there is no address or message it appears to have a postal cancellation which seems a little odd.






We 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 our 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.






There are several postcards that show the Saint-Ouen Futuro during the time it was located outside the CNIT (Centre Des Nouvelles Industries Et Technologies) in La Défense in Paris, France. Other examples can be found here, here, here, here, here and here.

This particular card is a multi-view card featuring various views of the Hauts De Seine suburban area of Paris. Among the views is one of Puteaux which shows the Futuro outside the CNIT. The postcard itself is undated but the postmark indicates it was mailed 112988.







There are actually two different versions of this postcard; the second can be found here. The differences are small with the primary one being the use of different fonts for the red text "Hauts de Seine" and "92" and the text identifying each location being black on white in one version and red on yellow in the other.


Wikipedia informs us that Lenticular Printing:

"is a technology in which lenticular lenses (a technology that is also used for 3D displays) are used to produce printed images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles."

This 2015 postcard from the WeeGee Exhibition Center in Espoo, Finland uses this technique to show both exterior and interior views of Futuro #001 on a single postcard simply by means of changing the viewing angle.






The French Cirque Arlette Gruss has been touring since 1985. This rather cool RPPC shows the "montage du chapiteau" or, according to Google Translate, the "assembly of the marquee" during a stop in Lorient, France in 1987. The photograph shows a Futuro behind the marquee.

The February 2012 Issue of the monthly online Gazette published by the Aero Club Lorient tells us that the Ploemeur Futuro was originally located in an industrial area of Lanester, a suburb of Lorient and then moved a couple of times around the area before arriving at its current location. Based on that it seems reasonable to assume that the Futuro seen on this RPPC is the one now located in Ploemeur.

The photograph was taken by "The Circus Photographer" Claude Pelfrene on 051887. There is no indication as to whether the Futuro actually had any actual relationship to, or involvement in, the circus. The RPPC is #22 of a limited edition of 300.







This 5.85" x 4.1" Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) features the Lahnajärvi Futuro (now of course located in Matsalu, Estonia). It has standard postcard printing on the back and is undated. There is however a handwritten date of 111073 on the rear of the item; it is unclear whether this date is meant to represent the date of the photo or some other date.

The Futuro was located in Lahnajärvi from 1969 through the very early 1980's. The appearance of the photo itself suggests to us that it was most likely taken early on in the Futuro's stay in Lahnajärvi; likely 1969 or very early 1970's.







This is a pair of postcards purchased during a visit to the Museum of Finnish Architecture in Helsinki, Finland on 071214. The postcards both have the following text on the back:

"Casa-Finlandia Futuro Proto | Design By Matti Suuronen | Finland 01.04.1968"

We do not believe that the date of April 1st 1968 is the date the photographs were taken and we are also of the opinion that only one of the photographs is of Futuro #000, the original prototype.

The Futuro prototype was manufactured in 1968 at the Polykem Plant in Hiekkaharju. The prototype can be seen at the Polykem plant in two press photos taken 042568 (the photos can be found here and here). As can be seen in the press photos the prototype was finished in white and that matches the color of the Futuro in the first of the two postcards. However given the date of the press photos which clearly show the prototype in an incomplete state and still at the manufacturing plant it is highly unlikely the postcard photo was taken April 1st.

Once completed Futuro #000 was moved to a ski slope on the property of Jaakko Hiidenkari in Turenki. There are similarities in location between the postcard photo and photos of Futuro #001 in Turenki (check out this photo from August 1969 and this press photo from 012970).

Given the timing and the white finish we are certain that the first postcard carries a photo of the Futuro prototype, #000, while it was located in Turenki.

In the book Futuro: Tomorrow's House from Yesterday edited by Marko Home and Mika Taanila we learn (page 17) that:

"Cabin no. 001 was made ... in the same mould as the prototype, in a shade of bright yellow."

Following its manufacture Futuro #001 was moved to the property of Matti Kuusla in Hirvensalmi. Issue 38 092068 of the Finnish Magazine Apu carried an article about Kuusla and his Futuro and features a photo of the Futuro located on a hillside above a lake with a tree in the foreground.

That same photo (albeit in different crops and aspects) can be found in many publications and on many websites; it is probably one of the most iconic and often used of Futuro photographs. Another example can be found on this postcard where the photo is clearly the same but the aspect has been reversed.

Given the well documented photos of Hirvensalmi that are practically identical to the image on the second postcard and the yellow color of the Futuro on that postcard we believe that it is not a depiction of the Futuro prototype but in fact shows Futuro #001 in Hirvensalmi.

As always if anyone has information or opinions that differ from ours or can offer additional information please let us know.






This undated multi-view postcard features the Hurzuf Futuro in one of the photos. Though undated based on other photos of the Futuro (and the other photos on the postcard - for example note the bus) it is clearly from the early days of Futuro, likely late 70's or sometime in the 80's.








This multi-view postcard of a Shell Gas Station/Rest Stop on Lake Lahnajärvi shows Futuro #002 (now located in Matsalu, Estonia) in one of the four photos (bottom right); but only just - you have to look closely.

The postcard itself is undated but it is postmarked 062382.









This is one of two similar cards that include what, at first glance, appears to be the same photo (bottom right on this postcard, top left on the other) but on closer examination turn out to be slightly different.

They were clearly taken within a matter of seconds of each other but either multiple photographers took different shots or more likely a single photographer took multiple shots. Either way the postcards do actually contain different though very similar photos.

Looking closely at the two photos below (the one on the left is from this postcard, on the right is the photo from the other postcard) while we see that the scene, including the vehicles and people in the frame, is the same we can also observe several small differences; among them the following:

• Additional parked vehicle visible lower left corner
• Bus on the left in a different position
• People in parking lot all in slightly different positions

There are several postcards that show the Saint-Ouen Futuro during the time it was located outside the CNIT (Centre Des Nouvelles Industries Et Technologies) in La Défense in Paris, France. Other examples can be found here, here, here, here, here and here.

This particular card is a multi view card featuring various views of the Hauts De Seine suburban area of Paris. Among the views is one of Puteaux which shows the Futuro outside the CNIT. The postcard is undated and unused.







There are actually two different versions of this postcard; the second can be found here. The differences are small with the primary one being the use of different fonts for the red text "Hauts de Seine" and "92" and the text identifying each location being black on white in one version and red on yellow in the other.


This postcard featuring the Berlin Futuro is undated and unused.






This is a contemporary postcard featuring a depiction of the Saint-Ouen Futuro. The card features contact information and is perhaps primarily a publicity or advertising medium.




There are several postcards that show the Saint-Ouen Futuro during the time it was located outside the CNIT (Centre Des Nouvelles Industries Et Technologies) in La Défense in Paris, France. Other examples can be found here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

In this case you do need extremely good eyes or a magnifying glass to actually see the Futuro. The CNIT is left center of the postcard with the Futuro just visible to the right of the CNIT. The center image below is a closer view of this area of the postcard where the Futuro is a little clearer.








This very cool set of 6 postcards was produced as a limited edition for the November 2020 exhibition "Postcards from the Futuro" held at the Todmorden Information Center to commemorate Waterside Plastics and the Futuros they manufactured as well as the unit that then spent time in Todmorden in the early 70's. The postcards are a combination of photos of the Todmorden Futuro and original Futuro inspired art pieces by local artists.

The postcards from top to bottom are:

• Futuro being transported through Todmorden C. 1971
• Futuro outside Abraham Ormerod Medical Center c. 1971
• "Futuro Forest" by Jake Blanchard
• "The Visitors" by Michael Powell
• "16 Segments" by Rachael Elwell
• "Anything could come out of that egg!" by Lisa Risbec

This postcard of Santa Ponsa shows the Paris Futuro as it was during its time at one of several locations in Mallorca.

That said the shot is a nighttime shot and without knowing it is there it is unlikely anyone would actually ever notice the Futuro as it is barely visible bottom right of the postcard. The third photo below highlights the Futuro.

The postcard is unused and undated.








This postcard shows a Futuro outside the Shopping Center de Woluwe located in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, one of the nineteen municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.

This is a Futuro location we had not previously come across but this postcard clearly shows a Futuro center right of the top image.

The postcard is used and is postmarked 082372 though we believe the actual image dates from 1969. Given the location and date it seems most likely that this was a temporary location either to publicize Futuro itself or to publicize the mall or some of the local businesses.






This 2003 postcard features a photo of the Dombai Futuro. The back of the postcard is unusual in that it carries a "washed out" version of the photo from the front of the postcard as a background.






This multi-view postcard shows Futuro #002 (now located in Matsalu, Estonia) during its days on Lake Lahnajärvi in one of the four photos (top left); it is the only postcard (out of the ones we have at least) that shows the Futuro at the time it had a deck around it.

Futuro imagery can also be seen in the windows of the diner in the two photos to the right of the postcard.

In 1971 the Futuro House, along with many other "plastic" and portable houses, was displayed at the Internationale Kunststoffhaus Ausstellung der Welt (IKA) that opened in 1971 outside the German town of Lüdenscheid.

This postcard, undated but presumably from 1971, shows the IKA campus in the top right image. The Futuro itself is extremely small but can just be made out above and to the right of the center of the image (the third and fourth images below show detail of this area of the postcard). A second postcard showing the exhibition can be found here which shows the Futuro more clearly.










Not long ago we obtained a set of three original postcards from the 1970's showing the Saint-Ouen Futuro on display at La Défense in Paris, France. Today we 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. Other postcards showing the Futuro at this location can be found here, here, here, here, here, here and here.






There are several postcards from the 1970's that show the Saint-Ouen Futuro during the time it was located outside the CNIT (Centre Des Nouvelles Industries Et Technologies) in La Défense in Paris, France. Other examples in this collection can be seen here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

This example shows the Futuro at the CNIT with a sea of flowers in the foreground. The postcard is used and the postmark is 032378. There is nothing to date the actual photograph used on the postcard.






Update 021516

In an email we received this week Achim Breiling was able to do what Google could not; translate the word "trentannifà" (thanks Achim). Achim tells us that it means "trenta anti fà" (or "trant'anni fà") and written as one word it means "30 years ago" or "thirty years back". It seems that this was most likely the actual name of the exhibition which was therefore, presumably, focused on things as they were thirty years prior to the exhibition.

This of course fits perfectly with the Futuro House which was 30 years old at the time of the exhibition in 1998.

Achim added that "Mettersi in mostra senza mostrarsi" was more difficult to translate, perhaps "put yourself in exhibition without showing off". Hard to know what exactly the real meaning is but perhaps the exhibition was one which featured photos from 30 years prior but not actual items themselves; that of course is pure conjecture.

Original Information 020716

This "linen" postcard (which is not actually linen) appears to date from 1998.

The front of the postcard carries the word "trentannifà" which the trusty Google Translate tranlates as - well - "trentannifà" - so your guess is as good as ours.

On the back of the card is the text:

"trentannifà
Mettersi in mostra
senza mostrarsi
Napoli 1,2,3 maggio '98
Mostra D'Oltremare"

which, according to Google Translate, is:

"trentannifà
Showing off
no show
Naples 1,2,3 May '98
Show Overseas"

Mostra d'Oltremare was opened in Napoli (or Naples), Italy as the Triennial Exhibition of Italian Overseas Lands, on 050940. Based on the less than clear Google translation it seems likely that there was an exhibition at Mostra d'Oltremare in May of 1998 which in some way featured the Futuro (we are not aware of an actual Futuro being displayed at an exhibition in Italy at this time) and the postcard was, presumably, a souvenir item for this exhibition.

The text on the postcard does not identify the location of the Futuro but based on other photographs we are of the opinion that it depicts Futuro #000 during its time in Turenki, Finland during the 1970's.

The back of the postcard also includes the text:

""Casa in poliestere"
arch. Matti Suuronen
2 aprile 1968"

or

" "House polyester"
arch. Matti Suuronen
April 2, 1968"

It is unlikely the photo dates from 040268, this is too early, so the assumption must be that they are ascribing the design of the Futuro to that date.






This 2001 postcard features a photo of the Dombai Futuro.






This is a 5½" x 3½" real photo postcard (or RPPC) showing Futuro #002 (now located in Matsalu, Estonia) aboard the Finnpartner. The Finnpartner, with the Futuro onboard, sailed from Helsinki, Finland to London, England for the 1968 exhibition Finnfocus.

The front of the item features a photograph of the Finnpartner. There appear to be docks in the background behind the ship. The Futuro House is clearly visible amidships. The reverse is stamped "Copyright Photograph, A Duncan, 14 Primrose Terrace, Gravesend" and carries a handwritten notation "Finnpartner. Finnlines" along with the date 1966.

The precise location of the photograph is unknown though it was clearly not taken "at sea" but given the address referenced in the copyright notice it is reasonable to suggest it was taken around Gravesend on the banks of the River Thames (about half way between London and the English Channel) as the Finnpartner was either on the way to Finnfocus or returning to Finland.

The handwritten notations on the reverse that indicate the year as 1966 are clearly incorrect; the photograph was taken in the fall of 1968 (Finnfocus took place October 1968) and the appearance/aging of the item is that of an item produced at that time rather than a recent print. While we cannot be certain we are confident this is an item produced around 1968 when the photo itself was taken.

Many commercially produced postcards can appear to be RPPC's at first glance. A quick web search tells us the simple test is to look at the item using a magnifying glass. A commercially printed card viewed under magnification appears as a series of small dots (similar to what one would see if looking at a magnified magazine or newspaper photo). A real photo postcard will not have this appearance. This item passes this test.

Other items in this collection associated with the Finnpartner and Finnfocus can be found here, here, here and here.








As we have often found 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 and the last shot is a scan of the front. The palette of the original photo is just a little darker than that seen in the scan.


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

The Saint-Ouen Futuro was at La Défense from 1968 until sometime in the 70's. We are not sure exactly when it was moved from that location; we originally thought 1972 but based on the evidence of these postcards and a photo we recently came across we believe it was there until at least 1977. You can find much more information on the Saint-Ouen Futuro page.

Two of these three postcards were 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.

Other postcards showing this Futuro can be found here, here, here, here, here, here and here.














These two postcards were sent to us 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:

• 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 Brusiin as a "Futuro Hostess".
• 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).

This multi-view postcard of a Shell Gas Station/Rest Stop on Lake Lahnajärvi shows Futuro #002 (now located in Matsalu, Estonia) in one of the four photos (top left); but only just - you have to look closely.

The postcard itself is undated but it is postmarked 092481.









This is one of two similar cards that include what, at first glance, appears to be the same photo (top left on this postcard, bottom right on the other) but on closer examination turn out to be slightly different.

They were clearly taken within a matter of seconds of each other but either multiple photographers took different shots or more likely a single photographer took multiple shots. Either way the postcards do actually contain different though very similar photos.

Looking closely at the two photos below (the one on the right is from this postcard, on the left is the photo from the other postcard) while we see that the scene, including the vehicles and people in the frame, is the same we can also observe several small differences; among them the following:

• Additional parked vehicle visible lower left corner
• Bus on the left in a different position
• People in parking lot all in slightly different positions

This postcard shows the Marseilles Futuro during its time at one of several locations in Mallorca. The card is undated and the postmark is offset with the date not visible but it likely dates from the 70's or early 80's.

This second postcard features a very similar photograph in which the Futuro is also visible.








This never used 12" by 9½" oversized multi-view Postcard features images from La Défense in Paris, France. It is undated but almost certainly hails from the 1970's.

One of the images includes the Saint-Ouen Futuro located at the time outside the CNIT (Centre Des Nouvelles Industries Et Technologies) in La Défense. The image can also be found on a stand alone postcard here and on other multi-view postcards here, here and here.

Other postcards featuring the Futuro outside the CNIT can be found here, here, here, here, here, here and here.






This postcard shows the Marseilles Futuro during its time at one of several locations in Mallorca. The card is undated and there is no visible dated postmark but it likely dates from the 70's or 80's.

This second postcard (multi-view) includes a very similar photograph in which the Futuro is also visible.








There are several postcards from the 1970's that show the Saint-Ouen Futuro during the time it was located outside the CNIT (Centre Des Nouvelles Industries Et Technologies) in La Défense in Paris, France. Other examples in this collection can be seen here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

This postcard is unused and undated and while the image itself also appears on other multi-view postcards (here, here,here and here) they are also undated.






This postcard of Santa Ponsa shows the Paris Futuro as it was during its time at one of several locations in Mallorca.

The postcard is used and postmarked 1997 but it also carries the date 1993 on the reverse and, while we cannot be sure, it seems likely that is the date of the actual photograph.








This pair of postcards features the Dombai Futuro. The cards are 7¾" by 4", a somewhat unusual size. They both carry the text (translated by Google) "Karachay-Cherkess Republic Dombai" on the front.

The reverse of the cards is identical. It is unclear exactly when the cards date from (though they are in absolutely mint condition so it in unlikely they are that old). Various dates and numbers that could be dates can be found on the cards.

The year 2004 is there a couple of times as is the date 112703 and there is also this notation "Informpress-94", the 94 might refer to 1994? Best guess we can make is the date 112703 is the date the photos were shot and 2004 is the date the cards were produced but of course that could be completely wrong.








This postcard showing the Dombai Futuro is dated on the back to 102789; we have no way of knowing if this was the date the photo itself was taken or the date of production of the postcard though we tend to think the former would make more sense






Futuro #015, now located in Merimasku, Finland started out life at the Turku Student Union where it served as office space during 1969 and 1970.

This postcard clearly shows the Futuro during this time on the bottom left of the image.

The postcard is unused and undated.






On 092269 a Futuro was transported by Swedish Air Force helicopter from Råsunda (a section of the Solna Municipality) to Älvsjö; in Sweden where it was to be used as office space by Bärgningsbilar Ekå ab.

This collection contains a couple of press photos of that helicopter transport that can be found here.

This postcard, probably created as an advertising tool for the business, shows that Futuro "in situ" along with one of the companies tow trucks. It is undated but probably dates from the very early 70's.






This 5½" x 3½" real photo postcard (or RPPC) shows Futuro #002 (now located in Matsalu, Estonia) aboard the Finnpartner. The Finnpartner, with the Futuro onboard, sailed from Helsinki, Finland to London, England for the 1968 exhibition Finnfocus.

Unlike many RPPC's which have printing on the rear this one is completely handwritten including the lines separating the area for the message and the area for the address which makes the item almost certainly unique.