Don’t miss this rare opportunity to visit an architecture icon until June 2018 in Munich, Germany:
Die Neue Sammlung is paying tribute to the icon of the space age with a presentation in an outdoor space at Pinakothek der Moderne of the FUTURO, designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1965-7 and originally intended as a ski lodge.
The FUTURO is not only the best-known and most innovative dwelling of its kind, but also one of the first plastic houses in the world that could enter serial production. No other object better embodies the faith in technology and belief in the future of the Space Age that typified the late 1960s than FUTURO. It is hardly surprising that it would become the epitome of utopian design. Made of prefabricated segments of fiberglass-reinforced polyester, the house could be put to various uses. Originally designed as a ski hut in inaccessible terrain, it could equally serve as a weekend home, mobile classroom or even a bank branch. In its design, furnishings and on account of its flexible usage FUTURO is an excellent example of the visionary design ideas of that era between Pop and social revolution, which were ultimately ousted by the concept of functionalism.
The FUTURO house was acquired in 2016 for Die Neue Sammlung and it is now on show for the first time after comprehensive restoration work. Apart from a continuous bench right round, its circular, open-plan room boasts no interior fittings. The FUTURO house in Munich was initially purchased by Stiebel Eltron in the early 1970s and erected on the company site in Vlotho. It was subsequently acquired by the Charles-Wilp-Museum in Witten in 2012. From there, it has moved to Munich. In the 1970s, artist, graphic designer and composer Wilp owned a FUTURO house which was wrapped by Christo in 1970 and in which artists such as Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenbourg and Joseph Beuys guested; it has not, unfortunately, survived.
The presentation of FUTURO will be flanked by several “program satellites” that address the building and future visions in design, film, literature, music and performance.
FUTURO. A FLYING SAUCER IN TOWN
Pinakothek der Moderne
Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum | exterior area
02.06.2017 ‐ 03.06.2018
Opening hours:
Thursday, 3 p.m – 8 p.m
Saturday and sunday, 3 p.m – 6 p.m
Images: münchenarchitektur, dnstdm.de, pinakothek.de, weburbanist.com
