Cube Houses

Zuid-Holland

The Cube Houses, known locally as Kubuswoningen, are a distinctive set of innovative homes designed by architect Piet Blom in the Netherlands, primarily located in Rotterdam and Helmond. These houses are based on the concept of "living as an urban roof," aiming to optimize living space in high-density urban environments by tilting cubic structures on their corners and resting them on hexagonal pylons. The design creates a village-like atmosphere within the city, combining functionality with artistic architecture. Each cube house typically consists of three floors with angled walls and windows set at 54.7 degrees, resulting in unique interior layouts where about a quarter of the space is unusable due to the slanted ceilings. In Rotterdam, the cluster includes 38 small cubes and two larger 'super-cubes', situated above the Blaak metro station on Overblaak Street. Some cubes have been converted into tourist attractions, including a "show cube" furnished as a typical home for visitors to explore, and the Art Cube, showcasing local artists' works. The Cube Houses also include a chess piece museum and a hostel in the larger cubes. Constructed with reinforced concrete bases and wooden frames insulated with fiber cement, these houses represent a creative architectural solution to urban housing challenges. The concept first emerged in Helmond in the 1970s, with test houses built in 1974 and further development around the local theater, which was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 2011 but later restored. The Cube Houses remain an iconic symbol of Rotterdam's post-war innovative architectural spirit and urban planning.