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
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.
this page online
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. It can be reached from Big Rock Drive east of Overlook Drive. Located on private property - Not accessible to the public. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Idyllwild CA 92549, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the Inland Empire, and in the Peninsular Ranges. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
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.
More about this marker. There is no access to the general public. This historical marker and the Futuro are located on private property and cannot be accessed for viewing without permission. It is important you not trespass by entering the property.
Regarding Donaldson Futuro. Fewer than 100 Futuros were built during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was designed as a ski cabin 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.
Additional commentary.
1. Private Property
It is important to emphasize that this structure is situated on private property, that is surrounded by additional private
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 14, 2023
3. Donaldson Futuro and Marker
— Submitted March 25, 2025, by Patrick Altree of Claremont, California.
Photographed by Craig Baker (CC0), September 16, 2023
4. Donaldson Futuro
This is private property, not open to the public.
Photographed by Craig Baker (CC0), September 16, 2023
6. Kitchen and Dining Room
Photographed during a one-day open house event.
courtesy Thefuturohouse.com
7. Transporting the Futuro
courtesy Thefuturohouse.com
8. Donaldson Futuro
Hovering above its landing site at night.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,177 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on April 14, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on August 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on September 14, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on August 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on September 16, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7, 8. submitted on August 3, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
