Xanadu

Have you heard of the Xanadu Houses of the Future?

They were experimental foam houses, but the focus was on the technology inside... early showcases of computerized, automated homes. They were meant as tourist attractions, not actual homes for actual people. Not surprisingly, none of them exist today. Originally there were three - the first one was build in Wisconsin Dells, and there was one in Tennessee, but the most famous (and longest-lasting) Xanadu was built in Kissimee, Florida.

This is what it looked like:

And this is the architect, Roy Mason, taking you through some of its technological features:

And this is a series of videos taking you on a tour of the abandoned and neglected Xanadu house prior to its demolition in 2005:

Finally, a look at the former site of the Xanadu house in Florida, and the last sad remnant of its short life, the sign advertising the "home of the future", now passed.

One of the things I love the most about Ensculptic is that it was designed and built for a real family, and was lived in and loved by the people who owned it. Yes, it was allowed to fall into disrepair, but thanks to the passion and vision of the new owners, Ensculptic is still with us and will be for a very long time. This is the difference, I think, between architecture for human beings and architecture for cynical commercialism. The Xanadus were never meant for human habitation, which is why they have faded into oblivion. Ensculptic is a wonderfully human home, and with care and love should be standing for generations to come.