Under a smooth turquoise dome, against the backdrop of London, sit and behold the future.
This is a proposal by the University of the Arts London’s Central Saint Martins, now hosting a 1960s spaceship-like house on its roof terrace. Restored by London-based artist Craig Barnes, the iconic “Futuro house,” as it’s called, will be a spot for events and public tours while on loan to the school.
It will also be available for rent, but only for “some form of activity that is specifically future-looking,” according to the school’s website.
Central Saint Martins invites you to hold your own future-looking events in the fiberglass structure on its site:
“We propose that every event at the Futuro House, however small, should contribute a view, challenge, or propose alternative interpretations to what the idea of the future might hold. The future need not be the dominant theme of every activity, but it is hoped that you should at least consider your contribution to future-thinking as part of the event, and leave a trace of this futural speculation.”
The historic Futuro house was designed in the 1960s by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. According to The Guardian, around 60 of the prefabricated houses still exist.
The house opened at Central Saint Martins in September 2015, and will remain there for one year. Barnes will give public tours of the space the first Wednesday of every month for £3 ($4.57). Focusing on the restoration process, his presentations will be largely about the past.