THE FUTURO

History, Design and Construction in Finland and the USA

Authors

  • Pamela Voigt

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52200/docomomo.66.05

Keywords:

Futuro House, Matti Suuronen, Polykem Oy, FUTURO Corporation, Sandwich construction

Abstract

The Futuro by Matti Suuronen reflects the confidence in the possibilities of plastics as a new building material of post-war times. A number of the 70 to 100 Futuros that were built worldwide still exist and, generally, they are now being preserved. A comparison of four restoration approaches of Futuro Houses, dating from 2007 to 2018, has given insights into the specific constructive features, modifications and the challenge of their complex materiality and innovative design. This explains the complexity of the conservation process.

How to Cite

Voigt, P. (2022). THE FUTURO: History, Design and Construction in Finland and the USA. Docomomo Journal, (66), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.52200/docomomo.66.05

Published

2022-12-12

Issue

No. 66 (2022): Modern Plastic Heritage

Section

Essays

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Pamela Voigt

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Plaudit

Author Biography

Pamela Voigt

Pamela Voigt (Dr. phil.), architect, studied architecture
from 1994 to 2001 at the Bauhaus University Weimar.
From 2001 to 2005 she taught and researched within the
interdisciplinary research group for material-appropriate
design and construction with fiber-reinforced plastics
(FOMEKK) at the Bauhaus University Weimar. Early 2007,
Pamela Voigt finished her dissertation on the art-historical
topic: Die Pionierphase des Bauens mit glasfaserverstärkten
Kunststoffen (GFK) 1942 bis 1980 (The pioneering phase of
building with glass fiber reinforced plastics (GRP) 1942 to
1980). Since 2008, Pamela Voigt has been actively planning
renovations and new developments of plastic structures, partly
in cooperation with Elke Genzel as the BAKU working group.
www.kunststoffbauten.de

References

BAYER AG. Firmenzeitschrift Farbenfabriken. Unser Werk, No 6, 1969, p. 7.

Cleworth Archive https://thefuturohouse.com/Futuro-House-Charles- Cleworth-Archive-Doc. Last visited February 29 2020.

COBBERS Arnt, JAHN, Oliver. Prefab Houses, Köln, Taschen GmbH, 2010, p. 161. According to research done by Tim Bechthold there is no proof that it was actually wrapped, only a collage exists.

Futuro house www.thefuturohouse.com. Last visited April 16 2020.

Futuro-Haus. Baugenehmigung Nr. 25/69 / v. 26.09.1969, Berlin-Treptow, GDR, 1969.

GENZEL, Elke. Zur Geschichte der Konstruktion und der Bemessung von Tragwerken aus faserverstärkten Kunststoffen 1950-1980. Dissertationsschrift. Weimar, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, 2006.

GENZEL, Elke, VOIGT, Pamela. Kunststoffbauten: Teil 1 – Die Pioniere. Weimar, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, 2005, p. 134.

HOME Marko, TAAMILA Mika (eds). FUTURO, Tomorrow’s House from Yesterday. Helsinki, Desura, 2002

KUITUNEN Anna-Maija. Futuro no. 001- documentation and evaluation of preservation needs. Metropolia Conservation, Historical Interiors, Bachelor’s Thesis, May 28, 2010LESLEY, Jackson. the sixties – decade of design revolution. London, PHAIDON, 1998.

STRATFORD, Oli. Farewell to the Futuro: an interview with Marko Home and Mika Taanila. Espoo, Disegno Daily September 10, 2012, p. 1.

https://www.disegnodaily.com/article/farewell-to-the-futuro-aninterview- with-marko-home-and-mika-taanila. Last visited June 9, 2019.

SUURONEN, Matti. 1983 Ansio – Ja Työluettelo. Casa Finlandia Design by Matti Suuronen SAFA Architect. Helsinki, selfpublisher, 1983

VOIGT, Pamela. Die Pionierphase des Bauens mit glasfaserverstärkten Kunststoff - 1942 bis 1980 (The pioneer era of building with glass fibre-reinforced plastics – 1942 to 1980). Dissertation. Weimar, Bauhaus-University Weimar, 2007

VOIGT, Pamela, GENZEL, Elke. Talk with Matti Suuronen and Ossi Siponen, within the research group FOMEKK at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, (engineering office Ossi Siponen, Malminkaari 5, 00700 Helsinki) 02 June 2004, 11:30-15:00

MEZ.