An incredible and rare piece of architectural history has hit the market, with a Perth Futuro house now available for lease – or for sale!
Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen and launched at the 1968 Finnexpo fair, the Futuro house is a beacon to ’60s space age optimism – created for a new post-war world of leisure as an easy to construct and easy to heat ski cabin.
With the uncanny appearance of a spaceship from a 1950s film, fewer than 100 were ever produced, and only approximately 63 have been confirmed across the globe since – becoming a cult icon to architecture and design enthusiasts.
With so few in the world, it’s somewhat remarkable that two have managed to find their way to Perth: the first has been here since the late ’60s, and was initially used as a residential sales office at the new Burrendah subdivision. Later, it was positioned on the corner of Leach Highway and Karel Avenue, where it became a recognisable landmark until its removal in 1996. Nearby, the Bob Gordon Reserve playground that was completed at the end of 2022 has been designed as an ode to the Leach Highway Futuro, with UFO-shaped play equipment!
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This, however, is a different Futuro house than the one that became such an eccentric local icon of Leach Highway.
Facilitated by Spacemarket, a Perth-based organisation valiantly fighting to pair “disused spaces with useful people”, alongside Human Urban, a boutique “people-focused developer” also based in Perth, this Futuro is available for lease – or for sale if the right buyer comes along.
“The Futuro is about 50sqm all up and 32sqm internally,” reads the Spacemarket announcement.
“It was originally designed as a tiny chalet apartment, so you can stand inside, and it could be used for anything from workshops to retail concept store, a small bar or accomodation.”
“It was originally acquired by Marcus Canning, CEO of ArtRage at the time,” owner Kyle Jeavons tells us. Jeavons is one of Human Urban’s co-founders and directors, bringing to life projects that include the incoming Perth Film Studios, the State Buildings, the Rechabite, Alex Hotel, Leederville’s Electric Lane and many more.
“For most of its history, ArtRage had and has an incredible appetite for finding novel opportunities and experiences to showcase culture and the arts in WA.The intention was to utilise is at a potential Fringe World venue at sometime into the future and still is.”
“Many people in Perth would have been familiar with theFuturothat was used as a residential sales office on Leach Highway – but this is not that one!”
“It was located in Melbourne and previously used as somewhat of a green room and creative space at the Falls Music and Arts Festival.If walls could talk!”
“I was aware of their uniqueness as I had always taken great interest in this period of architecture –Marcus had already undertaken an extensive amount of research that helped inform its restoration.Weird and wonderful things like this are extremely hard to find and being a mix of modernist and futuristic provides an amazing opportunity to do something really special with it.”
After nearly two years spent painstakingly restoring the fibreglass-reinforced polyester plastic structure and a fresh lick of paint – in “Aqua Belt”, one of the three original colours used for the Futuro – it’s now time for a new steward to take the reins.
“It took about 18 months to restore and it felt like it was a good time to open the idea pool up,” Jeavons explains.
“It is such a unique and beautiful piece of architecture and could be so many things to the right home… Gallery, bar, accommodation, community space, et cetera.”
“Hopefully find someone that loves it as much as we do and is willing to celebrate its uniqueness and ideally make it available to the public! There is one fully restored at Mona in Hobart, which is extraordinary.”
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“We constantly see the appetite for the public to enjoy unique spaces around our City – as recent as the use of the Power Station for the Perth Festival. This city still needs so much more opportunity for culture and the arts spaces, community activation and the utilisation and re-use of old buildings. The work that ArtRage, Spacemarket, Activate Perth etc do, is so important to our city maturing into a diverse and active city – so we continue to attract and retain young, bright and creative people.”
“Our town centres, high streets and city need to say yes at every turn, in allowing the city to reach its full potential. Hopefully little projects like this can assist along the way!”
To find out more about the Futuro and get in contact for leasing terms, check out the Spacemarket post below:
Header image credit: Shutterstock
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