A rare spaceship-shaped home has been put for sale in New Zealand, attracting international interest as sci-fi and architecture nerds scramble to secure a UFO abode by the sea.

Futuro houses were created in 1968 by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen as pre-fab, portable ski chalets. Shaped like an egg and constructed from fibreglass-reinforced polyester plastic the unusual houses became cult designs, with less than 100 ever produced.

“There is something magical about the shape of an egg, it’s smoothness and strength and the spaceship is like that; it is an iconic shape that attracts you to it,” says Juanita Clearwater, an architectural designer, who is selling her beloved Futuro.



“Futuros get under your skin, it is like an adult treehouse.”

The interior of the home, which has in-built furniture. Photograph: Juanita Clearwater

Clearwater bought her Futuro, which features built-in furniture and a spaceship-style hatch entrance, four years ago as a holiday home in the small coastal village of Warrington in the south island of New Zealand. Combining her love of sci-fi with 1960s architecture, owning one was a life-long dream.

Whenever the Clearwater family arrive at their spaceship for a holiday they’re met by notes and messages tucked into the door and post-box from strangers asking to buy the house or take a peek inside. A geo-cache has also been planted just outside, drawing more casual adventurers to its orbit.

“There has been constant interest and we welcome that but it is also a home, not just a work of art. And it functions very well as a home.”

Clearwater’s futuro was one of 12 built in Christchurch under licence and was displayed at the 1974 Commonwealth games before being transported to Warrington in 1975.

The house has not been moved since, and Clearwater is determined to only sell to a buyer who will keep it insitu and preserve its unique features and charm.

As a soon-to-be empty nester, Clearwater is selling reluctantly because she feels that holding onto it for increasingly occasional visits is “selfish”. Transporting the home by barge or helicopter to Christchurch has been considered, she said, but it would mean ending its long association with Warrington.

The view from the home in Warrington, New Zealand. Photograph: Juanita Clearwater

“There are a lot in America that have been let go to disgraceful conditions and they’ve just become rubbish. The good thing about the ones in New Zealand is that we like to preserve what history we’ve got.”

Since posting the house on Trade Me on Monday Clearwater has been overwhelmed with interest, and she was considering 40 serious offers. The for-sale page has been viewed 18,000 times, with Clearwater looking for around NZ$400,000 (£220,000 or US$289,000) – though the buyer’s intentions would be more important than the money.



“It has been beautifully preserved and is probably the best ship in New Zealand and in the best location,” she says.

“I want it to go to someone who, like me, has wanted one their whole life. It is time to pass it on.”