FUTURO HOUSE DESIGN GIVEN A NEW LEASE OF LIFE!

Last crawled date: 2 years, 4 months ago

A Preliminary Study for Emergency Antarctic Accommodation using Design Elements from the 1960s. The original ‘Futuro House’ was designed by Finnish Architect Matti Suuronen in 1968. It was known as the ‘Flying Saucer House,’ and was intended for Recreational/Holiday Accommodation. Although the last houses were produced in the early 1970s the ‘Futuro’ is experiencing something of a ‘Renaissance!’ One of the final houses produced is used as a ‘Mobile Exhibit’ under the custody of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, in The Netherlands. The Original comprised of 32 Segments (16 Upper and 16 Lower). Upper Sections had an Elliptical Acrylic ‘Bubble’ Window. Access was gained via an ‘Aircraft Style Door’ which dropped down from one of the Lower Sections, and included a short Flight of Steps (Reverse Side), once deployed. The Entrance Door was ‘Counterbalanced/Sprung’ for ease of use. The ‘Futuro House’ was 8m in Diameter, and had a height of 4m. A ‘Trivet Steel Frame’ was used to raise the structure off the ground. The Segments were GRP encapsulating insulating material. For the Antarctic Accommodation, a ‘Glass Band’ has been incorporated which separates the Upper and Lower Segments. The ‘Glass Band’ is largely to increase the height of the Elliptical Dome, and Window Area is far less than the original ‘Futuro House.’ For the Antarctic, Windows will be Quadruple Glazed. A ‘Structure’ has also been incorporated; given a greater Level of Insulation, Fire Protection and Increased Wind Loading. Designed as ‘Respite Accommodation’ for two Occupants, it can accommodate up to six. Maximum length of stay was set at 14 Days. In order to maximise space, this solution uses a type of ‘Submarine Hatch’ as access, rather than the Drop-Down Door.