The Spaceship - Nelson

     Beam Me Up

Pippy McCurdy

http://www.unusualstays.com/

http://italyoffthebeatentrack.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/italy-off-beaten-track.html
https://www.facebook.com/Stay-Somewhere-Strange-273777766054597/

Ever thought about spending a night in a spaceship? This you can do if you choose to go to Nelson, because on a high hill overlooking the harbour entrance, aliens have landed! Well to be more factual this is actually a Futuro House produced in New Zealand in the 1970s - but it is surely as close to sleeping in a spaceship as anyone who hasn't been abducted by aliens is ever likely to get.

Futuro Houses were  designed by the Finnish architect Matti Suuronen and sold around the world for a short time. Of 96 altogether, twelve were fabricated under license in New Zealand. Only a handful remain.

The Futuro in Nelson is a gleaming white saucer but in the dusky light of  evening it glows a warm gold amongst the flowers and bushes of a charming hillside garden.

 Entry into the Futuro is by fold out porthole steps. The oval windows stare out unblinking but inside the cabin is comfortable and warm. Furniture remains almost unchanged from its original assembly, it would seem. Circular shaped furniture is of course not that easy to come by -  meaning that any change in style would necessitate custom made selections. Hence 70s style predominates.

The Nelson Futuro has great views. It has a generous garden and plenty of outdoor spaces. Slightly above is a second building - this time a small cottage with a sheltered deck overgrown with climbers laden with flowers and colour. With a barbecue handily situated on the deck this cottage is the ideal spot perched just high enough to look out over the Futuro and capture the harbour views below.




Staying in a spaceship is an experience not to be missed and has to be recommended. The Nelson Futuro only seems to be available occasionally. I would say make the most of the chance if you find it free on one of these occasions.