Futuro Fiberglass House 1969

Patron_zero

Member
This is a first time for me, first project presented to the board and first model rough from scratch as well so be kind please.

The Futuro fiberglass house was a curiosity of the late 1960s when mod seemed to appear in all the arts from clothing to architecture. This compact little cottage was lightweight, easily assembled on most sites and just darn quirky enough to have always lingered in the back of my mind as a must-do model.

Presented is the very raw assembled templates to get the basic shape and work towards an as yet set scale, likely to be either for Lego mini-fig or Playmobil figurines. The model rests on an empty tuna tin but that is about right for the final-finished support ring-legs assembly.

I'm just working towards a framework to 'skin' and do an exteriors-only at this point, the interior details may follow as time allows but am setting the floor as it is a needed part of the 'skeleton'

Given the time-budget, would love to do a model in styrene as a prototype for a garage kit but that's a ways off at the moment.

Posting a few reference photos of the real Futuro houses and my model at the moment, enjoy !
 

Attachments

  • futuro-house_6642.jpg
    futuro-house_6642.jpg
    24.9 KB · Views: 339
  • 2072-465-308.jpg
    2072-465-308.jpg
    25.8 KB · Views: 275
  • model 00.jpg
    model 00.jpg
    89 KB · Views: 38
  • model 03.jpg
    model 03.jpg
    71.9 KB · Views: 39

paper hollywood

Active Member
I recall seeing these in books and magazines, but I don't think I ever saw one for real. It certainly has that "take me to your leader" look. With a few design changes it could have looked just like the Jupiter 2.
 
Z

Zathros

I actually have been inside of one of these. There was a display set up in Philadelphia in the early 19070's. This one is much smaller than the one off one I visited. I only know it was large as there were a lot of people in it at the same time. I think it was concrete sections. Not as modular and self contained as these were. I think 5 or six of these, with some kind of structure connecting them together would be neat to live in, otherwise way too small. The materials they were made of would be scary though. Much plastic = plastic fumes, which is bad for you.

This should make a neat model. The only problem I see is the outside radius. Double formed curves in paper aren't easily made. If you made this a one off, using a paper-mache technique, and build a plug, the mold to form it, you could have quite a unique mode;. Make the top removable, and you could make a full interior that would be visible. :)
 

THE DC

Highly Esteemed Member
I love these houses and wish I could own one for an office.

I've seen these dotted around the country, from CA to the outer banks of NC.

Unfortunately, many are in a poor state of repair, but there's been a movement to restore these and online repair materials have become available.

If you find patterns available during your process, please share them. A UFO house should be in every community, even if only in miniature!

Again, great project!

The DC
 

Patron_zero

Member
..... The only problem I see is the outside radius. Double formed curves in paper aren't easily made......

That is something of a problem at the moment, assembling the piece as a whole should not be so bad though, going with the real life item's eight (8) segment panel construction. Hopefully doing this will smooth out that issue.

That said, I intend to 'lessen' the difficulty by overlapping the upper and lower 'dome' segments at the center-line where the main row of windows are set. Doing such should make installing said windows 'simpler' and give the model some strength were it might most need it.

It may be cheating a bit but the ribs of the model may end up being cut from foamcore or artboard on the first attempt, that said I might just 'laminate' a few sheets of cardstock to get a similar rigidness.

Scary part is I might even apply what little 'vacuforming' skills I have to make the signature bubble windows, how's that go, in for a penney-in for a pound Sterling.
 
I think there was one of these houses in Marin County a number of years ago. Or something similar. It was on a hillside near the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Civic Center, if memory serves. Then one one, poof, gone. BTW, that Civic Center would make a great model as well. It'll be fascinating to see a model of tis Future house.
 
Z

Zathros

Patron Zero, I was doodling with Rhino and came up with some sections. This would not give a smooth dome, which I think would be very difficult in paper,but would give a sectioned dome like structure. If you are interested, i can give you the whole files unfolded and you can see what you may or may not want to do with it. No charge of course. You can do whatever you wish for it,as long as the final model is free. Send me a P.M.
 

Attachments

  • Fut1.jpg
    Fut1.jpg
    32.9 KB · Views: 26
  • Fut2.jpg
    Fut2.jpg
    28.8 KB · Views: 38

futuro

New Member
Futuro model?

Hi..
was wondering if anyone has done a Futuro model yet? I would like to make one but would like to get a 3-d file so could see about getting one printed out with a 3-d printer if possible. I would def love to get one of these :)

thanks... Len
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
You have a 3D printer? If not, much more info is needed, what format do you need, your intentions with the model. When you join a forum and the first post is to ask for the design file of a model, well, I know I don't give files like this to people I don't know. There are many websites that do though. Haven't seen this house in model form except for the one I reproduced.
 

futuro

New Member
You have a 3D printer? If not, much more info is needed, what format do you need, your intentions with the model. When you join a forum and the first post is to ask for the design file of a model, well, I know I don't give files like this to people I don't know. There are many websites that do though. Haven't seen this house in model form except for the one I reproduced.


I do not believe I "asked" for any design file on here.. I did say I would like to get a 3D file.. does not mean I expect to get it from anyone on here, sorry if you misinterpreted my message. But my INTENTION is to either find a design file for the Futuro or get one made.. then get a model made for my Futuro collection. On this site I do not expect to get anything from anyone. I only came and joined here because of this thread.

All I did ask was if anyone had done a model of the Futuro house yet.. I see the first post in this thread someone had started a Futuro.. would be nice to see how it turned out (as it looked only half-finished) or any other model Futuro. Just would like to see how other Futuro models were made or turned out.
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
This forum is very active and the members for the most part know each other. Those that come in are asked to post an Introductory post and let us know something about themselves, it doesn't have to be a life story, but for the most part, it is expected that you read the Rules and Policies of a forum, then follow them.

I normally would have sent you a P.M. with all of this. If you make an Introductory post, and maybe offer up what you are doing, then you will be met with a Welcome.
 

The_Hawk

New Member
Just as a FYI Google's SketchUp is free and very nice to work with.
The Futuro looks to be made of standard shapes and could be done in it.
http://www.sketchup.com/


Your build looks good! love to see it when your done.

just add a warp drive:mrgreen:
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
I'm 99% sure I sent the full size plans to Patron Zero, but in case I didn't, let me know. I could post this but I have not tried building it. I am far too busy. It should go together. Any errors would be small and easy to adjust bit adding or cutting on a replacement panel. It would not have the smoothness of the original futuro because of the limitations of paper though. If metal were used, well, I guess the whole thing could be done with a planisher and an English wheel. :)
 

THE DC

Highly Esteemed Member
Just passed by a "real" one on a road trip off the coast of VA near the outer banks. It was pretty hurricane beaten.
 

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
It must have been well anchored, those things look like they would generate a lot of lift! :)
 
Top