Ohoka, New Zealand

As huge fans of the Futuro we always love to see anything in the way pf preservation and recognition of Futuros and it seems Nick’s stunningly restored «Area 51 Futuro» is destined for inclusion on New Zealand’s Heritage List.

We recently received an email from Robyn Burgess who told us:

«I work for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, which is our national heritage agency. We have an exciting proposal to enter Nick McQuoid’s «Area 51 Futuro House» on the New Zealand Heritage List (the nation

Living Big in a Tiny House self-describes as:

«a YouTube show which documents the lives of people around the world who live in unique and interesting small homes. The show explores all kinds of downsized living, including tiny houses on wheels, micro apartments, cabins, treehouses, earth homes, shipping container homes, busses, vans and everything in between. With weekly episodes, it delves into the lives of people who are choosing to live an alternative lifestyle in unconventional architecture

The two Futuros located in Ohoka have been temporarily joined by a third marking only the second time, to our knowledge anyway, that three Futuros have been located on a single site: more info can be found here.

There are many photos of Futuros with a space or alien theme and often times we are not lovers of them because, despite any appearances to the contrary, this theme played no part in the inspiration for, or deign of, the Futuro.

However in the case of this photo and it’s «Close Encounters» vibe we make an exception. The photo was posted to Facebook by owner Nick after being sent to him by one of his guests; it is simply stunning and is now one of our absolute all time favorite Futuro photos.

Published in Canterbury, New Zealand Essence Magazine describes itself as:

«all about showcasing the best of beautiful North and South Canterbury and being 100% locally owned and operated — we know our region really well. That’s what makes us the ultimate local read. From new businesses to unique homes and gardens; innovative entrepreneurs and intriguing personalities — essence brings you the very best of the region.»

The magazine actually publishes two versions, one covering North Canterbury

This video by owner Nick was added to Youtube 020622.

Nick describes the video as «A quick walkthrough of my Futuro house air bnb in Christchurch New Zealand». All we can say is that she looks awesome; doubt we will ever have the opportunity but it looks like a really cool place to stay for a few days.

We have been following Nick’s progress as he diligently worked to develop one of his Futuros and the area around it into a truly awesome Airbnb and after many many months of work the site finally opened and had its first guests.

We want to congratulate Nick on an marvelous project and a fantastic Airbnb location! Unfortunately we don’t really foresee ever being able to visit New Zealand but you can be sure that if we did we would be looking to stay at this site.

If you do live in New Zealand o

Nick continues to regularly share photos and document his progress towards launching his Futuro as what we think will be a stunning Airbnb. The photos and video below are the latest Nick has posted to Facebook (they were posted between 110321 and 122121).

As always Nick thanks for sharing; we cannot wait to see the finished product!

These first photos were posted 110321. Wonderful and colorful is how we feel about «More pillows!»; There is certainly a great deal of work being done both inside

The photos below are the latest posted to Facebook by owner Nick (between 100221 and 102921) documenting his progress as he works not only on his Futuro but also on the area around it and all of the additional features that will clearly make this one of the most awesome Airbnb’s ever.

As always Nick thanks for sharing; we are getting quite jealous as we watch from afar!

First off on 100221 we see Nick comment this way on the photos below «LED colored lighting installed under the Futuro. Still

The longer we follow Nick’s «Futuro journey» and his (extensive) preparations for launching the Futuro as an Airbnb the more impressed we are. It seems like Nick has thought of everything and is preparing what looks like it will be a stunning place to stay; the amount of thought and work that is going into this project is nothing short of remarkable.

Nick shared these latest photos on his Facebook page between 090121 and 093021. As always Nick, thanks so much for sharing, it is so much fun to l

The photos below continue the journey of Nick’s Futuro towards its listing on Airbnb; the more we see the more we think this is going to be a truly awesome place to stay.

Nick shared these photos on his Facebook page between 080621 and 081621. As always Nick, thanks so much for sharing, it is great to be able to follow along with your progress!

The first two photos from 080621 were described as «Day one of installing the Futuro house entrance stairs! should be finished tomorrow : )»; «Deck goi

Nick’s Futuro is getting closer and closer to being complete and ready for listing on Airbnb. The photos and videos below show the final stages of work prior to a short move to its final location along with a couple of photos of the Futuro in its «new» home; Nick shared them on his Facebook page between 070621 and 072721. As always Nick we appreciate you sharing your «Futuro Journey» with us!

These first two photos were described respectively as «Final addition going up in both bedrooms» and «F

The photos below show the continuing work owner Nick has been doing on one of his two Futuros since the last update to this page on 042821; they run chronologically top to bottom, left to right. The photos were posted to Nicks Instagram and Facebook accounts between 042821 and 062921. As always we want to thank Nick for sharing his journey with us.

Nick described these first two photos as «Bunk going up. Queen bed on rollers currently half rolled away» and «Couch almost built! :):):):):):):)»

As he continues work on his Futuro Nick also continues to share his progress on social media and as always it is our pleasure to share it here also. A little while ago Nick posted this photo: The photo is a vintage photo from «back in the day» from the The De Martini Collection and is Nick’s inspiration and goal for his restoration project.

Looking at this series of photos (chronological top to bottom left to right and running from the end of March through 042721) we think you will agree Nick i

We love to hear about a Futuro getting a little TLC so it was great to see a number of photos posted by owner Nick to his Instagram and Facebook feeds recently along with this comment attached to one of the posts: «Futuro (restoration) coming along nicely!!!» We agree and cannot wait to see her when she if finished.

The photos run chronologically left to right, top to bottom and run from 021821 thru 032821.

Nick — as always thanks so much for sharing your «Futuro Journey».

Owner Nick McQuoid recently captured his Ohoka Futuro and an amazing sunset in this great set of photos he added to his Instagram feed 030320.

Owner Nick McQuoid «rang in the New Year» by posting this great set of photos of one of his Futuro’s to his Facebook timeline.

Owner Nick McQuoid continues to share his progress via social media as he works on one of his Futuros. This time around we see the windows installed in these photos from Nick’s Instagram and Facebook.

It is always great to see a Futuro and/or its owner getting media coverage. In this case we find Nick McQuoid and his Futuros appearing in, of all things, a Chinese newspaper. Congats Nick!

Back in April we saw the lower half of one of Nick McQuoid’s Futuro assembled, here in May we get to see the completion of the assembly of the shell as the upper half is added. The video and photos below that illustrate this work are sourced from Nick’s Instagram and Facebook feeds and were posted 050419 through 050619. It is great to see the progress as the Futuro comes together and we are looking forward to seeing the further work in the future. Our thanks to Nick for continuing to share and d

Nick McQuoid continues to make progress with his Futuros as documented in this series of photos posted to his Facebook page. The majority of the photos were posted 032319 and show the assembly of the lower half of one of the units. The final two photos were added 040819 and show upper body segments being cleaned in preparation for further assembly work.

Nick McQuoid could be considered something of a «mover and shaker» in the «Futuro World» and he recently let us know about two more «Futuro transactions/moves» in which he was involved.

First off Nick has purchased the Paringa River Futuro and it is being moved to Rangiora along with the Futuros he already owns. In theory that would bring the count of Futuros in Rangiora to three except that Nick has also recently sold one of his Futuros so Rangiora actually continues to be the home of two Futu

As he continues to work on his Futuros owner Nick McQuoid continues to document progress and activity on his Facebook page; most recently he added the video below. Around the same time as the video was posted Nick also added these photos.

Nick McQuoid continues to work on his Futuros and to post interesting photos to his Facebook timeline along the way. These photos showing Futuro sections «on the move» were posted 121417.

Nick McQuoid posted this pair of interesting photos to his Facebook page recently showing new fibreglass moulds that he has built so that missing parts for the Futuros he is restoring can be fabricated (internal components such as interior walls/bathroom fixtures).

Owner Nick McQuoid continues to work on the restoration of his Futuros and he recently posted this interesting set of photos of various interior fixtures and fittings to his Facebook page.

Always exciting to see progress on Futuro restoration projects and Nick McQuoid recently posted the two photos below to his Facebook page commenting that work is «almost done ready for rebuilding». Looking forward to seeing how everything turns out Nick!

There have been a number of Futuro restorations over the last few years and for us following these restoration projects is always interesting. Owner Nick McQuoid shared the photo below of the support ring for one of his Futuros which was being sandblasted and then painted in a Facebook Post on 042016; another milestone in his restoration project.

Nick had also previously had a support ring fabricated (see here). The Futuro that shipped from Australia clearly shipped with the support ring (see t

One of Nick’s Futuros, the white one previously located in Kaimaumau, recently made the move to the facility where restoration work will be undertaken. Good luck with the restoration Nick, looking forward to seeing how she turns out.

This first set of four photos show the unit being loaded up for transport. They were posted to Nick’s Facebook Page 032216. This second set of photos, posted the next day, show the unit arriving at the restoration facility.

Issue #10, «The Home Issue», of New Zealand vintage lifestyle magazine Glory Days features a nice six page Futuro article. The article focuses on the history of the Futuro, primarily as it relates to New Zealand, and on Nick McQuoid and the pair of Futuros he is in process of restoring in Rangiora.

The article was written by Mathilda Wrexham and in it we learn that Nick first came across the Futuro as a child growing up in Christchurch. Nick recounts that his parents would often drive past a «f

It seems Nick is making some good progress on his restoration project. The photos below from Nick’s Facebook Page illustrate the mold Nick has manufactured for making the armrest units that sit between each chair/bed unit and also the first unit made using the mold. That first unit looks pretty good based on the photo but Nick indicates in the comment that accompanies the photo that it needs a little tweaking to be perfect.

Nick is clearly planning on giving at least one of his Futuros a Europe

It is a rather exciting time for Futuro restoration efforts; there is the Futuro once in South Africa now being restored by Craig Barnes in the United Kingdom, the Canberra University Futuro being restored by Wade and Jon’s team and of course Nick has two Futuros in Rangiora which he is starting to restore. The three new photographs below show newly fabricated support ring sections for one of Nick’s Futuros — photos courtesy of Nick.

OK so this is not «technically» a Futuro update but since Nick now appears to be the premier Futuro House owner in the world with three (the two listed here and the Raglan Futuro which will be moved to Rangiora in the New Year) and the Venturo is also a Matti Suuronen design we are including this here.

The other day Nick sent us the three photos below which show Nick’s Venturo House which will be shipped to Rangiora to join his Futuros in the new year. Quite a collection you are amassing there

The photos below were posted on Facebook by Nick McQuoid — Nick we hope you do not mind us raiding your Facebook timeline!

This first photo of Nick atop one of his Futuros in «cleaning mode» does not specify a location but we believe it is the Kaimaumau Futuro prior to disassembly and removal from that site and transport to Rangiora.

The next two photos show the Kaimaumau Futuro after cleaning and prior to disassembly. All we can say is «what a difference that elbow grease made»; looks pristin

In mid 2012 after searching for some time Nick McQuoid purchased the Kaimaumau Futuro. Then in 2013 Nick found a second Futuro in storage in Australia and purchased that one and had it shipped it back to new Zealand (this was the unit displayed at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand). Nick tells us both Futuros are now in Rangiora, a town some 30 km or so north of Christchurch, New Zealand.

For more information, history and photos on these two Futuros prior to their arrival