Wanli UFO Village, Taiwan, August 2017

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HughieD

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1. The History
Known as Wanli UFO village, these incredible structures can be found on the coast in the Wanli District of Taiwan. Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, two types of pods make up this former camp of beach chalets: the space-ship looking ones are referred to as Futuros (more info HERE) and the more conventional Venturos (more info HERE). The houses typically contained a bedroom, bathroom and small kitchen. They also had a fireplace and six plastic lounge chairs.
Intriguingly there are no official records of these ones being built or licenced from the designer, hence are likely ‘fake’ versions of Futuros and Venturos. There is also little info on the demise of this place either.

The Futuros as still very much a cult phenomenon and there are a number of sites that document them, including this one HERE. It has specific info about Wanli (HERE).

2. The Explore
I’ve seen this pace crop up a number on times, especially on some of the click-bait urbex pages on the web. It was only after booking our side trip from Hong Kong to Taipei that I realised it was in striking distance from the Taiwanese capital. Hence it was a no-brainer to visit. The site is on the north-east coast about an hour’s coach ride from Taipei. The trip out there was relatively easy as was access on arrival. The majority of Venturos are unoccupied and easily accessed. However, there were a handful that were still in use as homes. All of the Futuros I saw were abandoned although they have fared better than the latter. The roofs of the Venturos are flat and a lot more prone to caving in. I have to say that this place was amazing and worth the trip and perhaps one of the most surreal places I have ever been.

3. The Pictures

The Futuros really are quite funky:

35977234324_45f803b54f_b.jpgimg2463 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Internally some are in better nick that others:

36641250622_266b603615_b.jpgimg2461 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Here’s an old Betamax video:

36672311451_3a4f69a799_b.jpgimg2460 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36415058880_66f1ecea7e_b.jpgimg2459 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Singe bedroom:

36002860383_e842bceb3c_b.jpgimg2456 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Loving the circular kitchen:

36641335572_031cdcb1e4_b.jpgimg2455 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36672397721_d808f34190_b.jpgimg2454 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36415170330_35ec38883a_b.jpgimg2453 by HughieDW, on Flickr

35976777174_b4c366fa73_b.jpgimg2440 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Another pair of Futuros:

35976699214_b561e40711_b.jpgimg2449 by HughieDW, on Flickr

This one is a bit dirty:

35976829784_44cd0e5e1b_b.jpgimg2437 by HughieDW, on Flickr

35976890524_f92bfb90fb_b.jpgimg2430 by HughieDW, on Flickr

On to the Venturos:

36671825131_4c37cf3ee4_b.jpgimg2443 by HughieDW, on Flickr

This one is in decent condition:

36002366103_4ea7814d7d_b.jpgimg2432 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36811163205_eaaa435f81_b.jpgimg2428bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

Others haven’t fared as well:

36640571802_9f57b2d9ea_b.jpgimg2422 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36640591162_0e85d21884_b.jpgimg2420 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36002060523_3da0444114_b.jpgimg2418 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36406515390_35271872be_b.jpgimg2415 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36803700205_106d7bc05f_b.jpgimg2408 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Well-ventilated toilet!

36664152561_76f0db4b6f_b.jpgimg2404 by HughieDW, on Flickr

One of each:

35968122794_b0350979c4_b.jpgimg2399 by HughieDW, on Flickr

A Futuro’s bathroom:

36803009435_417a7d05cf_b.jpgimg2395 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Some cool retro furniture:

36663142171_e11309227a_b.jpgimg2379 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36755083696_76c07964cf_b.jpgimg2375 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36755110466_d54cb0f060_b.jpgimg2374 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Some of the bases where the Venturos have now gone…

36755141366_a0eb4907f2_b.jpgimg2373 by HughieDW, on Flickr

35967780544_4b2ef9f29c_b.jpgimg2372 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36393366990_b8ab3fee3b_b.jpgimg2364 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Three Futuros:

36651139051_2b838771f3_b.jpgimg2360 by HughieDW, on Flickr

This Futuro was the worst, condition-wise:

36742675216_9a46ca66e4_b.jpgimg2357 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36650992661_355681ff6b_b.jpgimg2346 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36619767492_ca0e4ef76d_b.jpgimg2344 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36789845045_b34157571a_b.jpgimg2335 by HughieDW, on Flickr

35763365244_174e69801d_b.jpgimg2311 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Overall, a truly amazing place. If you are ever over this way make sure you go and see this it.

Thanks for looking!
 
Last edited:
Wow, that's superb! I remember seeing a futuro being restored on a TV program, can't remember what now.

Thanks for posting Hughie.
 
What an unique explore! Totally SURREAL!!! Looks like they have just rolled off some sci-fi B movie love them!

Wonderful set of pics HD. Love the wonky tv, there's a snorkel in the bath:biggrin: shoes left on rack looks like they were coming back!? Love these weird places! Wish I could see them!

Thanks really enjoyed that!
 
What an unique explore! Totally SURREAL!!! Looks like they have just rolled off some sci-fi B movie love them!

Wonderful set of pics HD. Love the wonky tv, there's a snorkel in the bath:biggrin: shoes left on rack looks like they were coming back!? Love these weird places! Wish I could see them!

Thanks really enjoyed that!

Cheers PV. Yup...real sci-fi vibe going on with the Futuros.
 
I've heard of various futuristic houses over the years, but not really seen what they are like.

Richard Buckminster Fuller's Geodisic domes are quite well known, I think a few have been preserved.
 
What a fantastic report mate.prob my favourite report of the year so far.well done
 
cracking report Hughie, i'd love to live in one. Something nice and different for a change. Thanks for posting:encouragement:
 

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