The Cube Houses – Rotterdam’s Futuristic Housing Dream

The Cube Houses in Rotterdam, also known as the Blaak Cube Houses, are among the city’s most iconic and striking structures. Designed by architect Piet Blom in the 1970s, this experiment in architecture remains one of the biggest attractions for architecture enthusiasts and tourists. The houses, which resemble a cluster of yellow cubes tilted on their edges, give the city a futuristic appearance. But there is much more to this design than just aesthetics. 

Blom wanted to design the houses in a way that made a new way of living possible. The cube shape was intended to save space while making efficient use of living areas. Each cube is mounted on a pylon, leaving the pathways beneath the homes free for pedestrian use. The houses are divided into three levels: the upper level offers a sense of ‘living in the air,’ the middle level houses the bedrooms, and the ground floor serves as the entrance. The vertically oriented homes were meant to enhance a feeling of space and airiness in a densely built city like Rotterdam. 

The idea behind the Cube Houses was to combine urban compactness with a sense of openness, contributing to Blom’s philosophy of revitalizing and innovating urban spaces. The result is an iconic, unconventional architectural wonder that not only has visual impact but also makes a functional contribution to the city. The project was, and still is, an important experiment in the search for efficient and aesthetically responsible urban housing. 

Tourists visiting the Cube Houses can experience what it’s like to live in such a unique home by touring the “Show Cube.” The houses are not only a piece of Rotterdam’s history but also a testament to how the city continually strives for innovative solutions in modern urban development. They are living proof of Rotterdam’s creative spirit, even in the way it houses its residents.