23 March 2011

The Futuro moves to the University of Canberra

| johnboy
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downer club and futuro

The “funny building what looks like a space ship” was last seen by me in the smouldering ruins of the Downer Club.

Today the Vice Chancellor’s blog at the University of Canberra informs us that the building was in fact a Futuro House and it has been relocated to UC:

The Futuro has been generously donated by the Dickson Tradies to the University and the costs of moving and installing it have been sponsored by Manteena. Its previous home was the Canberra Space Dome (Planetarium) and Observatory, where it was used for educational purposes until it closed in 2008. More recently the Planetarium buildings were destroyed by fire in September 2010.

There were approximately 90 Futuros built between 1968-1978 and only a handful remain across the globe. The one located at Dickson is one of the best known survivors in Australia.

The Futuro was initially established as a community project by the Dickson Tradies, who put the call out for a new home last year. The University, in consultation with the Finnish Embassy (the Futuro design is Finnish) and the National Gallery of Australia put in a bid to house the relic, which will be used as part of the university’s conservation and design programs.

The things we learn.

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I was about to say that house used to be in Dobson Street, Watson. But having just looked on Nearmap.com, I see there’s still a round house on the block I was thinking of.

GardeningGirl3:56 pm 23 Mar 11

I have vague memories of going inside it pre-Tradies club back in the 60’s or 70’s, possibly in Fyshwick, and I always wondered where it had gone. So glad to see it has a new and appropriate home.

here’s a picture of it getting assembled
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31073008@N03/5552235566/

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