Wayback Machine 1971: The Venturo Prefab
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.16.08
There is really nothing new about many of the modern prefabs that everyone is going gaga over; back in the 70's Finnish architect Matti Suuronen designed the Venturo, a bit less extreme than his wonderful Futuro House. It appears to have been used primarily as gas stations for BP.
However they also marketed it for a number of other purposes, including recreational. "A lake, land and sea, a beautiful valley, incomparably compatible settings for your individualized Venturo. This is real vacation living- and you get it instantly, maintenance free because Venturo's exteriors are in fibreglass, anodized aluminum and glass."
"The Venturo is described as a modular, easily transportable building system, having excellent insulation , low weight and designed for minimum assembly on site. Being of low weight and factory assembled, the Venturo means very low erection and foundation costs, where heavy equipment can be avoided."
The walls were double-skinned fibreglass with 2" of polyurethane foam, and the floors were an insulated composite beam of marine grade plywood. The whole thing weighed just four tons and sat on 16 small piers. One module contained the bathroom, kitchen and sauna; the other shipped with the filler pieces (c in the drawings). But back to the fun stuff.
"The spacious living room with its window walls gives you indoor-outdoor living, creating for you a lifestyle of your own."
"The compact kitchenette can be supplied completely outfitted with factory installed appliances."
"Friday night-everybody into the sauna and then a refreshing swim; the whole Saturday and Sunday in good company. What else is life for? It is all yours and incidentally, a sound investment within reach. Just call and we will help you with the rest."
If only prefab was so easy. According to Lars Ramberg, an artist who found a Venturo: "The house had been lying in a warehouse for decades, the ageing carcass of failed modernism. The Venturo was originally thought as a beach house or bungalow that could be transported and installed anywhere, thus fulfilling the modernist aim of being universal, not needing to respond to a particular context. Unlike other Suuronnen's designs (e.g. the famous 1968 "Futuro" house), the Venturo was a commercial flop and went quickly out of production."
Too bad. ::Venturo CF-45 via idea from ::Modmom
Interesting design. This is very similar shape to a printer I have:
http://www.letsgodigital.org/nl/9440/canon_pixma_mp600/
Far out, man! I love that little freestanding fireplace thing.
I think that groovy fireplace thingy is actually a 70's sauna heater
thank you so much for visiting my blog lloyd alter!
+ crediting mod*mom for inspiration for this post!
i'm so thrilled + honored to be related to treehugger!
i've been a loyal lurker for years :)
webhugs!
Unbelievable. I've been following the recent prefab explosion (love the weeHouses that Alchemy Architects are doing) — but this goes way beyond the mean. Far out is right!
Looks like the LoftCube. The sixties look like they were a lot of fun.
I love it! I would love tpo have one, but I just have one question... Where's the bedroom?
I now see where Syd Mead got his inspiration. I could see the "Blade Runner" version of Los Angeles being constructed of 42 million of these modules stacked on top of each other.
I was also reminded of the weehouses. I looked at them awhile back. As cool as they are, it just doesn't seem like they're worth the $$.... especially after you have to buy the land, contract out for the plumbing, electric, etc. More of a pain in the butt than anything else.
I WANT ONE! But, I only have one question: Where is the bedroom?
Where ISN'T the bedroom?
My Gramma has te kitchen table and chairs, they're the coolest. This post has made me realize I have too much stuff and too much house... I want a winterized version of this thing and get rid of my house.
The only thing missing is Ron Jeremy...
If you like this check out versadome.com, a modern day reinterpretation of this concept only better since you can add modules for extra rooms. Support these guys and hopefully we can get them into production soon.
If you like this check out versadome.com, a modern day reinterpretation of this concept only better since you can add modules for extra rooms. Support these guys and hopefully we can get them into production soon.
Spotted some still in use in Helsinki. Not in good shape, unfortunately. http://www.flickr.com/photos/panuk/2345890298/?addedcomment=1#comment72157604744649893