Nestled on Signal Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee, stands a unique structure known as the Spaceship House, or the Space House. This flying saucer-shaped modernist home is a testament to the futuristic architectural trends of the late 20th century. Let's delve into the history and design of this iconic residence.
The Visionary Behind the Spaceship House
The Spaceship House was designed and built by Chattanooga builder Curtis W. King from 1970 to 1973. King envisioned it as a model for futuristic residences. According to one article, “Curtis King once jokingly claimed that the decision involved a fair amount of beer.” Cheers to that! 🍻
By 1972, the cultural consciousness was fully immersed in the possibility of alien life, thanks in part to shows like "Star Trek." During this time period, futuristic architecture was pretty popular thanks to the Cold War and shows like “Star Trek.” People definitely had their heads in the stars.
Local interest in the project meant frequent visitors during construction, with King estimating 20,000-30,000 people visited during that time. Approximately 500 people visited the Spaceship House when it was completed on Thanksgiving Day 1973.
Design and Features
The house is 52 ft (16 m) in diameter and includes 1,960 sq ft (182 m2) of space. Made of steel and concrete, the structure provides nearly 2,000 square feet of living space, including three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a bar and entertainment area. The rooms are round, just like the house itself, and are situated around a central point that was originally a cylindrical skylit bedroom. Initially, the exterior of the house featured square windows at evenly spaced intervals, some of which were later blocked by interior renovations. The interior was originally carpeted with shag on the floors and walls.
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The house included parking underneath the structure with a minimum clearance of 6 ft (1.8 m). Complete with a drop-down staircase to enter the elevated spacecraft, the house had every detail to channel futuristic living and cost $250,000 to build.
The house includes the original fixtures. A retractable staircase serves as the entrance to the house, but it is broken and remains in the “down” position. A neighbor says that feature came in handy for one former owner who was having an argument with her husband.
A History of Ownership
King and his family sold the house, and it changed hands many times throughout its life. The Spaceship House changed hands a few times over the years. In 2008, the latest property owner put up the Tennessee landmark for auction and it was purchased by a Signal Mountain local for $120,000. It was then purchased and renovated by a Signal Mountain local for $120,000.
The current owner, a local man who once owned a furniture business and who is now a real estate investor, wishes to remain anonymous. He bought the property in the fall of 2007 for $165,000, but has never lived there.
Every Christmas, the owner bedecks the Spaceship House with a festive inflatable alien wearing a jaunty Santa hat.
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The Spaceship House Today
Unfortunately, the house is not a tourable relic of our city’s history. It’s privately owned and currently in use as a rental property for an estimated $1,750 per month. But just because you can’t physically tour it doesn’t mean you can’t see what the inside looks like or learn more about it.
Just two weeks ago, I found myself traveling up Signal Mountain in Chattanooga, Tenn., for a wedding. There I passed by the notorious Spaceship House, which has just been listed as available for rent on Craigslist.
The Spaceship House is cursed, according to the cab driver who drove me to the wedding.
Comparison with Sculptured House
It’s a spaceship! It’s a UFO! It’s… just a home on a hill in Genesee, Colorado?! Englewood’s Key Savings Building was designed by Charles Deaton in a similar architectural style.
Designed by architect Charles Deaton, Sculptured House began construction in 1963. After the building was completed in 1966, the home was abandoned without a finished interior when Deaton could no longer fund the project.
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In the past decade, significant upgrades have been made to the building to maintain and preserve the structure, while also improving the actual living space. Designed to make residents feel as if they are living within a functional sculpture, this elliptically shaped building was constructed using typical mid-century modern elements. Floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Denver area.
Amassing 7,700 square feet of livable space across 5 floors, Sculptured House is officially listed as a 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home. Most importantly, Sculptured House’s location and positioning were the most carefully considered aspects of the project.
On March 12, 1967, Sculptured House made its nationally televised debut during a CBS program titled “The 21st Century,” hosted by Walter Cronkite. Seven years later, Colorado’s “Spaceship House” gained an enormous amount of notoriety while featured in Sleeper, a 1973 film written and directed by Woody Allen. Set in 2173, the home provided a futuristic-looking living space for the movie to unfold within. Scene from Woody Allen’s Sleeper, set inside the iconic mansion.
So whether you think it is an eyesore or simply 200 years ahead of its time, it is impossible to deny the intrigue of the Sculptured House.
1970’s Futuro ‘UFO’ House : A Vision Of The Future From The Past
Quick Facts About the Spaceship House
Here is a summary of key details about the Spaceship House:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Built by | Curtis King |
| Built | 1970-1973 |
| Address | 1408 Palisades Rd. |
| Materials used | Reinforced concrete, acrylic, and fiberglass |
| Size | 2,000 sq. ft., 52 ft diameter |
| Cost | $250,000 (in the 1970s) |