A house resembling a flying saucer has been listed for $1.495 million in California’s San Jacinto Mountains, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece of experimental architectural history. According to SFGATE and The Wall Street Journal, the property, known as the Donaldson Futuro, is located near Idyllwild and is among a small number of surviving homes designed to capture the optimism and futuristic imagination of the Space Age.Built in 1969, the 793-square-foot structure stands out for its bright exterior, circular form and distinctive raised design. Made from reinforced fiberglass-polyester plastic, the home weighs approximately 11,900 pounds and was conceived as a prefabricated dwelling that could be transported to different locations, even by helicopter. Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, the Futuro houses were an unconventional response to the era’s interest in new materials, mobility and futuristic living.
A rare survivor of space-age architecture
The Donaldson Futuro is one of roughly 50 to 60 examples believed to remain from the original production of about 100 structures worldwide. Its unusual design has helped it stand apart from conventional residential architecture, while its historical significance has earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places and recognition as a California historical landmark.The home’s journey to its current mountain setting was almost as unusual as its appearance. Originally located in San Diego, it was rescued after years of neglect and eventually transported to the Idyllwild area in 2004. Despite the original concept of helicopter-assisted mobility, the relocation required a carefully planned journey by flatbed truck through mountain roads, with the route presenting challenges because of the structure’s size and the limited clearance in some stretches.
The preservation effort behind the home
The property was saved and restored by preservation architect Milford Wayne Donaldson, who had been fascinated by space and futuristic design since childhood. He took on the project after learning that the neglected structure faced an uncertain future, seeing value in preserving an unusual example of mid-century architectural experimentation.Donaldson and his wife, Laurie, later restored the home while retaining its distinctive character. The interior reflects a 1960s aesthetic, with colourful finishes, laminate surfaces and shag carpeting. Original design elements, including built-in furniture and Formica laminate countertops, were preserved as part of the restoration, according to architectural preservation organisation Docomomo US. The project also involved navigating modern building and safety requirements while adapting them to the structure’s unconventional construction.The restoration received recognition from the California Preservation Foundation, while the home’s historic designation further established its importance beyond its novelty as a UFO-shaped residence. It is also noted as the first Futuro house in California approved for residential occupancy.
A new chapter for the Donaldson Futuro
Donaldson and his wife have continued to spend time at the property despite living near Sacramento. However, the architect’s declining health has prompted the decision to put the home on the market. The hope is that its next owner will appreciate its architectural and historical value and preserve the work that went into restoring it.Listed at $1.495 million, the property is more than an unusual home for sale. It represents a period when architects and designers imagined that houses could break free from traditional forms and embrace the possibilities of modern materials and technology. For its next owner, the Donaldson Futuro offers the chance to take on a rare piece of that vision, one that has survived decades of changing tastes and a challenging journey to its present mountain location.
