Space housing or why the Finns built "flying saucers"

Looking through photographs of Finnish "flying saucers" it seems that this is the scenery for a fantastic film. But these are real-life houses that were popular in the mid-60s of the last century.

Unusual houses were equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable life: a cozy living room, a bathroom, a sleeping area and a kitchen. The original project was designed by the architect Matti Suuronen at the request of his friend. Friends decided to build an inexpensive and warm ski house that could be easily and quickly assembled in any area.

After a series of heat engineering calculations, Matti came to the conclusion that the shape of the flattened zlipsoid would support the optimal heating of the home. The material for milking the ski lodge was innovative in those days, polyurethane and fiberglass.

The weight of the 25 square meter house was only 4 tons. The prefabricated structure, together with built-in furniture, was easily transported by helicopter even to hard-to-reach places. Thanks to the adjustable support, the "plate" stood securely even on a mountain slope. To raise the temperature in such a house from minus 20 to +15 degrees, the electrical system took only half an hour.

The local residents appreciated the advantages of the polymer house. Living in original and comfortable "alien" housing was much safer, more economical and warmer than in trailers on wheels. Hundreds of American and European companies have acquired patents for the construction of ellipsoidal houses. Soon "Futuro" multiplied like mushrooms after rain all over the world, especially in Finland itself.

The situation was drastically changed by the 1973 oil crisis. Mass demand for "plates" fell "due to the rise in the price of polymer, from which housing was made. Only 60 Futuro houses have survived to this day. Most of them have become art objects, decorative locations and exhibits of architectural museums.

Perhaps you also want to build yourself an economical and comfortable home with your own hands. You will find everything you need for this purpose in the section "Tools and equipment".