Architect's 'UFO' Home, Once a Presidential Advisor's Retreat, Lists for $1.5 Million

A distinctive home designed to resemble a UFO, once owned by an architect who served on President Barack Obama's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, has been listed for sale in California for $1.495 million. The Donaldson Futuro, a spherical yellow home with bubble windows, was recognized as a historic structure in January 2021.

Milford Wayne Donaldson, an 83-year-old architect, and his wife, Laurie, purchased the home in the late 1970s. They acquired it after Donaldson learned the Futuro structure was in disrepair and located behind the San Diego Design Center. When the design center was sold and demolition of the Futuro began, Donaldson intervened, purchasing the structure to prevent its destruction. He then stored it in a friend's San Diego boatyard.

In 2004, Donaldson purchased a half-acre of land in the San Jacinto Mountains near Idyllwild for $70,000 to establish a new site for the home. The Futuro was originally designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in the late 1960s, with an estimated 100 units produced globally. Of these, approximately 50 to 60 are believed to still exist.

The relocation of the 26-foot-diameter structure to the mountains was a complex undertaking. It required shrink-wrapping and an escort by the California Highway Patrol for its transport via a wide-load truck in December 2004. Upon reaching the site, a crane was needed to lift the house above the treeline.

Inside, the Donaldsons renovated the home to reflect a 1960s aesthetic, featuring popcorn ceilings and linoleum floors. The couple primarily resided eight hours away in Sacramento and used the mountain retreat for about a week each month. Donaldson has decided to sell the property now, as he is aging, to ensure his 66-year-old wife is not burdened with selling it later.

Listing agent Tim McTavish anticipates the property will appeal to architecture enthusiasts or buyers from institutions and foundations. Another Futuro house in California, located near Joshua Tree, is available as an Airbnb rental and is thought to be the only one in the U.S. that can be rented overnight.

Suuronen originally intended the Futuro homes, which offer 520 square feet of interior space including a kitchen, bathroom, and fireplace, as portable ski chalets. The U.S. units were manufactured under contract by a Philadelphia company. While historically, Futuro houses have sold for between $50,000 and $100,000, Donaldson believes his home's habitable condition justifies its higher asking price.