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HIGHLIGHTS FROM AW25

Bold Yet Nostalgic — A Reflective Era & Changing Of The Guards

Omotenashi Hobart

In Tasmania, Find An Exquisite Japanese Dining Experience By Two of Australia's Best Young Chefs

LIVE TWICE

A Cocktail Bar That Transports Guests To Mid-Century Japan

NOMA KYOTO ’24

We Speak With Founder Rene Redzepi & Design Studio OEO On Everything To Know

MAZ TOKYO

From South America To Japan, Discover New Ecosystems, Altitudes and Diverse Terroirs Through A Culinary 'Vertical Gaze'

José Parlá: Homecoming

The Expressionist Painter Returns To His Roots

AUBERGE TOKITO

Discover True Luxury Through The Poetics of Japanese Aesthetics & Graceful Cuisine Led By Chef Yoshinori Ishii

BAR LEONE

Get To Know The Design Duo Behind The Branding for Asia's Best Bar 2024

OGATA at The Shinmonzen

Discover the Curated T., Collection in Kyoto

WATER/GLASS

Kengo Kuma's Early Work Evokes Transparency Paired With A Stunning Japanese Coastline

LEE UFAN ARLES

A New Artistic Endeavour By Korean Artist Lee Ufan & Japanese Architect Tadao Ando

HANAMURASAKI

A Historic Ryokan In One Of Japan’s Famed Onsen Towns Sees A Modern Emergence

MUSASHI BY AMAN

Master Sushi Chef Driven By A Deep Respect For Nature, Tradition & Craftsmanship

ALKINA WINE ESTATE

It’s All In The Soil - Global Expertise and Regenerative Practices Lead The Way At This Barossa Winery

URBAN ZEN AT AMAN TOKYO

A Tranquil Sanctuary to Stay, High Amongst The Tokyo Skyline

URBAN RECHARGE IN THE HEART OF TOKYO

Keiji Ashizawa and Norm Architects Design the Latest TRUNK(HOTEL) Overlooking Yoyogi Park

THE FUTURO HOUSE

In Japan, 1960's Architectural Utopianism That Still Stands To This Day

November, 2021

From a distance the structure resembles a UFO spaceship, but inside, it presents remnants of a former glory as a portable ski chalet — a one-bedroom, one-bath pre-fabricated vacation property developed in the 60’s. The Futuro House or Future Pod was conceived by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1968 as a pre-fabricated après-ski leisure space that would be “quick to heat and easy to construct in rough terrain” even in unforgiving landscapes. Although only around 100 were ever built, the concept epitomised 60’s era-optimism and embodied utopian architectural radicalism with its space-age design.

Standing at 4-metres high by 8-metres in diameter, the entire structure was comprised of a steel frame and just sixteen plastic segments that could be easily bolted together and assembled or disassembled in two days. The whole pod was so light, it could even be airlifted by helicopter to a remote site. Made from fibreglass-reinforced polyester plastic it featured built-in seating and oval windows, with a spaceship-like hatch door with retractable stairs as an entrance operated by three buttons up, down and stop. The built-in adjustable chaise longues were arranged around a central fireplace that helped to retain internal heat. The minimalist design concept allowed for an open-plan interior with a kitchen, small bedroom connected by the central leisure space. A separate compact shower-toilet bathroom was found parallel to a small seating area by the entrance door, where oversized cast iron ski coat hooks were conveniently placed for guests arriving from the outside snow. 

Promoted as a vacation home ideal for beach, skiing or mountain areas, the concept was met with great criticism and controversy in the mid-70’s, further added by the 1973 oil crisis that affected plastic production and tripling manufacturing costs, leaving the Futuro House to only remain as an example of 1960s architectural utopianism. Yet, to this date around 63 confirmed Futuro Houses are still confirmed in use and found in locations including Deep Creek in South Australia to Ōtautahi in New Zealand or Espoo in Finland. Here in Maebashi, Gunma, we visit one of two Futuro’s existing in Japan. 

CHAMP X SABUKARU FEATURE

Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki
Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki
Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki
Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki
Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki
Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki
Champ Editor Joanna Kawecki inside The Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan
Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki
Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki
The UP button for the structure's spaceship-like hatch door with retractable stairs © Joanna Kawecki
Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki
Futuro House, Maebashi, Japan © Joanna Kawecki

Location: Maebashi, Japan
Images & Text: Joanna Kawecki

This feature comes in partnership
with our friends at SABUKARU.

November, 2021