Appearing as if they've landed straight from outer space — or the set of a science fiction fantasy — these otherworldly homes need to be seen to be believed.
Forget conventional, conformist design. Across the world are examples of residential architecture that are positively forward-thinking and futurist.
And some are closer to home than you may think.
'Futuro'
Resembling retro Jetsons cartoon spaceships these Futuro (which translates to "future" in both Spanish and Italian) houses are scattered across the world.
One of less than 100 remaining Futuro Houses, designed in 1968 by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. Picture: Getty
Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in the late 1960s — appropriately around the same time as the Apollo mission to the moon was being planned — these prefabricated, elliptical dwellings were made from resin, fibreglass, plastic, and acrylic and were conceived as portable ski chalets.
Inside a Futuro House in 1969. Picture: Getty
“Fewer than 100 were built,” commented chief economist and head of national research at PRD Real Estate, Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo.
“The distinctive saucer form design comprises airplane hatch entrance, lightweight fibreglass construction and a retro-futuristic design, which is now an iconic aesthetic of mid-century space-age optimism and experimental living.”
A Futuro house on Perth's Leach Highway in 1975. Picture: State Library of WA
Now sought after by collectors only 63 of these “UFO houses” are known to still exist globally, including one which was sold in Perth last year.
Space Ship House, Sydney
If you’ve ever flown into Sydney, you might have seen this unusual UFO from the skies.
The unique home can be seen from space - or at least from the air as planes fly into Sydney Airport. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Elevated above Earlwood's Cooks River with sweeping city views, the quirky property known as ‘spaceship’ or ‘UFO’ house was built in the 1970s and changed hands last year for the first time in more than 40 years.
The home features five bedrooms, three bathrooms and four car spaces, with panoramic views of parklands and the city skyline.
The Kellogg Doolittle House, USA
When it comes to structures that look like they’re more suited to some fantastical planet in a galaxy far, far away, the engineering marvel known as the ’Kellogg Doolittle House' is high up there.
Perched on the slope of a rocky hill in the the Californian desert, not far from Joshua Tree National Park, the unique structure is comprised of 26 freestanding, concrete columns that look like rib bones.
Each column fans out at the top, overlapping its neighbour to form a layered roof. Sandblasted glass panels connect the columns, creating a ceiling that sheds light during the day, and offers views to the stars at night.
“[Doolittle House] is one of the most iconic examples of organic architecture in modern history,” said First National Real Estate communications and corporate affairs manager, Stewart Bunn.
“Whilst it is completely anchored to the earth, the structure looks as though it could lift off at any moment! Pure science fiction brought to life, the architecture of this property feels extraterrestrial with its bone-like structures and interlocking forms.”
Commissioned by artist couple Bev and Jay Doolittle, the home was hand-built into the desert by Frank Lloyd Wright's protégé Ken Kellogg and master craftsman John Vugrin, and took more than 25 years to complete.
The home has been the site of music industry parties - Alicia Keys played a private concert there - and is available to hire out for weddings and photography shoots. It was briefly listed on Airbnb for almost $10,000 AUD a night in 2022, with 100% of guests giving it a five-star rating.
The Spaceship Home, Spain
Elevated above a forest north of Barcelona, this home truly resembles a spaceship. Designed for a sci-fi film director, its polished metallic exterior and panoramic terrace give it an extraterrestrial feel.
Picture: Meritxell Arjalaguer
Built from prefabricated wooden modules on a metal frame, access is via a restored airplane stairway, while inside, cutting-edge home automation references the client’s love of Star wars with a wall-mounted console that allows the entire house — lighting, temperature, security, access and sound systems — to be controlled.
“This is a perfect fusion of client passion and avant-garde architecture that blurs reality with fiction,” said Dr Mardiasmo.
Eye of the Storm, USA
Dubbed the “Eye of the Storm” by some, and known locally as ‘the Star Wars home,’ this unique mansion in South Carolina, was built by an architect for his parents after they lost their previous home to a hurricane.
The house has also been dubbed the Star Wars house by locals.
Created to be storm resistant and to withstand even the toughest hurricanes, the monolith dome structure is as practical as it is futuristic.
“A monolithic dome house provides comfort and protection against bushfires, cyclones, hurricanes, earthquakes, hail, termites, corrosion and floods,” said Dr Mardiasmo.
“It’s a rare instance where sci-fi aesthetics, meet functional engineering for safety and durability.”
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