A spaceship in the middle of Southern California?
Check out my Friday Find!
Tucked among the boulders and pine trees of Idyllwild, California, this harvest-gold flying saucer looks like something straight out of a science-fiction movie.
But it’s actually a house.
And the story behind it is just as fascinating as the architecture.
A Flying Saucer You Can Actually Live In
Sitting on just over half an acre, this unusual residence is known as a Futuro House, a futuristic design created by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1968.
The entrance alone is worth seeing.
You climb aboard through an airplane-style hatch with its own fold-down staircase.
Inside, the 793-square-foot home features one bedroom, one bathroom, 18 bubble windows, purple shag carpeting, and a lime-green kitchen.
It’s a colorful, retro-futuristic interior that feels like stepping back into the Space Age.
Designed to Be Delivered by Helicopter
The original Futuro House concept was developed as a portable ski chalet.
Architect Matti Suuronen envisioned a lightweight, prefabricated structure that could be transported to remote locations, even by helicopter.
Its circular shape, distinctive windows, and elevated design made it unlike traditional mountain cabins.
And this particular Futuro has had quite the journey.
From Military Office to Abandoned Flying Saucer
This Futuro arrived in California in 1969.
Over the years, it served as a Navy office and an Air Force recruiting station before eventually ending up abandoned in a San Diego parking lot.
In 2002, someone even attempted to demolish it with a wrecking ball.
That’s when preservation architect Wayne Donaldson stepped in.
Donaldson purchased the structure for $15,000 and began restoring it at a San Diego boatyard.
Then, in December 2004, the entire flying saucer was shrink-wrapped, loaded onto a flatbed truck, and transported up Interstate 15 to its new home in the mountains.
Can you imagine driving down the freeway and seeing a flying saucer on the back of a truck?
A Piece of California Architectural History
Today, the Idyllwild Futuro is described in the property’s history as a designated California Historical Landmark and a legally permitted residence.
Surrounded by pine trees, massive boulders, and mountain scenery, the house looks as though it has landed from another planet.
It’s a remarkable example of Space Age architecture and an unusual piece of Southern California history.
Would You Live in a Flying Saucer?
With its distinctive design, colorful interior, and extraordinary history, this is definitely not your typical mountain retreat.
The Futuro House in Idyllwild was offered for $1,495,000 at the time of my Friday Find.
No pilot’s license required!
Would you buy it?
Property Facts
- Location: Idyllwild, California
- Architectural Design: Futuro House
- Architect: Matti Suuronen
- Original Design: 1968
- Arrived in California: 1969
- Relocated to Idyllwild: 2004
- Bedrooms: 1
- Bathrooms: 1
- Living Area: 793 Sq Ft
- Lot Size: Just over half an acre
- Distinctive Features: 18 bubble windows, airplane-style hatch entrance, fold-down staircase, purple shag carpeting, lime-green kitchen
- Asking Price at Time of Tour: $1,495,000
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Los Angeles?
I specialize in luxury and architectural homes throughout Los Angeles, including the Hollywood Hills, Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Feel free to reach out anytime with questions about the market or available homes.
Natalie Novarro
Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills
323-719-3360
Frequently Asked Questions About the Futuro House in Idyllwild
What is the Futuro House?
The Futuro House is a prefabricated, flying saucer-shaped architectural design created by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1968. It was originally envisioned as a portable ski chalet.
Where is the California Futuro House located?
This Futuro House is located in Idyllwild, California, surrounded by boulders and pine trees in the San Jacinto Mountains.
How large is the Idyllwild Futuro House?
The home offers approximately 793 square feet, with one bedroom and one bathroom, on just over half an acre.
Who designed the Futuro House?
Finnish architect Matti Suuronen designed the original Futuro concept in 1968.
How did the Futuro House get to Idyllwild?
After being used for several purposes in California, the structure was restored by preservation architect Wayne Donaldson and transported to Idyllwild on a flatbed truck in December 2004.
Can you legally live in the Futuro House?
According to the property’s reported history, the Idyllwild Futuro is a legally permitted residence. Buyers should independently verify current permits and property records.
How much was the Idyllwild Futuro House listed for?
The property is listed for $1,495,000.