October 2024
Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The apartments in the image are the Cube Houses (Dutch: Kubuswoningen) in Rotterdam, Netherlands. We visited the unique apartment complex on our city tour. The Cube Houses were designed by architect Piet Blom in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His concept was to create a “village within a city” and represent each house as an abstract tree, with the entire development forming a forest.
Each house is a cube tilted 45 degrees on its corner, resting on a hexagonal pole. This unconventional design creates unique and challenging interior spaces. The Cube houses were made to optimize space, putting as many units as possible into a small space. The above view demonstrates that the trees are constructed with reinforced concrete in the hexagonal trunk that holds the cube region.
The central area contains a courtyard with an open sky. On the day of our visit, rain fell intermittently. Luck was with us, as we were mostly inside during the heaviest rain showers.
Residents can live in the units. The Cube Houses comprise 38 small cubes and 2 larger “super cubes,” making 40 cube-shaped apartments. One of the Cube Houses is open to the public as a museum (the Kijk-Kubus), allowing visitors to experience the unique interior layout. The layout is designed on three floors plus a ground-floor entrance level used as an entrance and for storage.
The first level typically contains the living room and an open kitchen as shown in the photos above.
The first-floor living room demonstrates the unique layout and challenges of the cube-on-edge design. Though the museum unit’s interior design is typical, each owner can modify their unit, making the designs unique.
Photographing the interior makes the unit seem small with many corners, but as this shot of the bookcase shows, the living area is larger than the photos make it appear.
The second floor houses the master bedroom and bath. The tilted walls and angled ceilings add a unique challenge to bathroom design. Expect a creative configuration and potentially slanted ceilings above the shower or toilet. The bathrooms in the Cube Houses are not huge, but they seem to be functional and designed to make the most of the available space within these unconventional homes.
The museum unit’s top floor contains an open-area loft. Though the loft has little furniture, there would be room for a small garden, a spare bedroom, or a study. Plenty of windows create a light and airy atmosphere.
As I noted above, a central courtyard is an open outdoor space shared by the residents. Pixel peepers might wish to look at the images in 2K HD via my Flickr album here.
There are no businesses or shops within the complex, however, the Cube Houses are in a busy area with plenty of amenities nearby. The area surrounding the Cube Houses has a mix of shops and stores, including bookstores, clothing stores, and specialty shops. The Old Harbor area nearby has many cafes, restaurants, and bars, offering various dining and entertainment options. Just a short walk from the Cube Houses, the Markthal (Market Hall) is an indoor market, a foodie paradise with numerous stalls selling fresh produce, cheese, baked goods, and more. You’ll also find restaurants and shops within the Markthal.
John Steiner
Journeys with Johnbo 
I’ve seen worse developments, but I think I would find this a disorientating and stressful living space. Great images!
Thanks. I love the exterior design, but I’m not so enamored with the interiors. >grin<
They’re nothing if not interesting, John. I’ve seen photos from the outside, but never inside before. I rather like them x
Jo, I was really interested to see the inside, and I’m glad I made the tour. I might like them as a bed and breakfast for a week or so.
Wow, I mean just wow, what a place.
My thoughts exactly! It’s a bold design.
Very interesting houses
Indeed!
Those are so cool! Wow! How neat to see these inside and out!
I love the exterior design, but I’d struggle to get used to all the interior stairs. >grin<
Very interesting architecture!
And rightly described as challenging interiors.
Great photos!
Thanks, Nes! It is amazing to have so much space inside for what seems to be a small exterior.
This is such a fascinating read, John! The concept of a “village within a city” brought to life through tilted cube architecture is both imaginative and practical. Your detailed walkthrough and photos really capture the quirky charm and spatial ingenuity of the Cube Houses. I had no idea one of the units is open as a museum—definitely adding it to my must-visit list for Rotterdam!
It is worth the visit to see one of the units. I understand they are fully sold out. I’m glad they kept one as a showpiece.
Absolutely, it’s brilliant that they preserved one for public viewing—such a clever way to let people experience the design up close. I can imagine how quickly they must’ve sold out, given how unique and livable they are. Can’t wait to check it out in person someday!
Rotterdam is an interesting city with lots to explore. It’s worth the trip.
I’ve seen the exterior of these houses before but never had a look inside so I was fascinated by your photos and descriptions of the layout and rooms. They may be small but I think they would be a cool place to live 🙂
Maybe for a week or two. >grin<
These are unique and interesting. I wouldn’t mind staying in one for a week just to have the experience. Thanks for showing them to us John!
They’re unique and creative but I don’t like all the odd angles inside or out.
This is the first time I’ve seen photos of the interior of these houses. Pretty angular, but as you show, there seems to be more space than one first sees in the photo. Moreover the light seems very good
These are fascinating.
They are unique,, for sure.
How peculiar! The tilt adds to the strange design. They definitely don’t seem to have much available space for things out of place.
They are surprisingly roomy given their weird angular wall space, but to me, that also makes them a bit claustrophobic.
Creative and kind of cool. But practical? Not so much.
Just looking at the pictures threaten to trigger my vertigo – I can just imagine what would happen if I saw these houses in real life!
I can see they could be a problem with that!
This is very bizarre. I don’t think I’d enjoy living there with so many low ceilings and unusually shaped spaces.
I’m sure it would take some getting used to!
So unique and amazing. Must have some wonderful views. 😊
They are an interesting design and people must like them. All the units are sold.
I was also lucky enough to visit one of these cube houses in Rotterdam, and like you I felt a bit cramped. It’s still an interesting experience for a few days.
That it was!