Pine Cove in Idyllwild in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Donaldson Futuro

Photographed By Craig Baker, September 14, 2023

1. Donaldson Futuro Marker

Inscription.
The Donaldson Futuro is significant as an example of America's collective confidence as a leader in space flight, technological advancement, and economic prosperity. Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, this space-age home was the first Futuro to arrive in California, in 1969, and the only Futuro in California to obtain a building permit for residential occupancy. Its modern futuristic space-age design, materials, and workmanship retain a high level of integrity from its period of significance. The property is identified as the Donaldson Futuro in recognition of owners Wayne and Laurie Donaldson's extensive restoration effort that successfully preserved this fragile resource and raised the profile of early mid-century plastic buildings.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 1062.

Donaldson Futuro - 1969 - has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, January 4, 2021.

Erected 2022 by State Department of Parks and Recreation; architect Milford Wayne Donaldson FAIA; Idyllwild Area Historical Society; and E Clampus Vitus John P. Squibob Chapter & Billy Holcomb Chapter.

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(Marker Number 1062.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.

Location. 33° 45.293′ N, 116° 44.307′ W. Marker is in Idyllwild, California, in Riverside County. It is in Pine Cove. Marker is on Big Rock Drive east of Overlook Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 52895 Big Rock Dr, Idyllwild CA 92549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Speed-of-Light Experiment (approx. half a mile away); Idyllwild Campground Pictograph (approx. 1.2 miles away); Camp Emerson (approx. 1.4 miles away); Logging Shaped This Landscape (approx. 1.4 miles away); Hoxie-Vance Cabin (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Idyllwild Monument (approx. 1.6 miles away); Idyllwild Town Hall (approx. 1.8 miles away); Tahquitz Rock History (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Idyllwild.

Regarding Donaldson Futuro. Fewer than 100 Futuros were built during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was designed as a ski cabin

Donaldson Futuro and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, September 14, 2023

2. Donaldson Futuro and Marker

that would be "quick to heat and easy to construct in rough terrain". The result was a universally transportable home that had the ability to be mass replicated and situated in almost any environment. The approximate dimensions are 26 feet in diameter and 14 feet tall. It featured polyurethane insulation and a powerful electric heating system, allowing the house to be heated from -20°F to 60°F in only 30 minutes. The Futuro House was manufactured in Finland by Oy Polykem AB and was also licensed for manufacture in a number of other countries, including the United States, Australia and Belgium. Today there are approximately 63 confirmed Futuro Houses in existence across the world. The Donaldson Futuro was originally in San Diego before it was purchased, restored, and transported by truck to Pine Cove near Idyllwild in 2004, and placed on the hill top using a crane.

Donaldson Futuro image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, September 16, 2023

3. Donaldson Futuro

This is private property, not normally open to the public.

Wayne Donaldson and his Futuro image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, September 16, 2023

4. Wayne Donaldson and his Futuro

Kitchen and Dining Room image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, September 16, 2023

5. Kitchen and Dining Room

Transporting the Futuro image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Thefuturohouse.com

6. Transporting the Futuro

Courtesy Thefuturohouse.com

7. Donaldson Futuro

Hovering above its landing site at night.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on September 14, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on August 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on September 16, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7. submitted on August 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.