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I have lived in Rotterdam and even studied at the Art Willem de Kooning Academy next to the iconic Cube Houses by Piet Blom. Gotta be honest, my opinion on the city is a bit of a seesaw. Some days, I was all in, loving the modern vibe, but then there were days when I felt it might be a tad too cold for my taste. Before that, I was living in The Hague which had more of a towny charm, despite its city size. The fact that I can’t quite pin down my feelings about Rotterdam might be what makes it such a fascinating spot. It’s like the city has this enigmatic charm that keeps me on my toes.
Rotterdam’s Reconstruction
During the German invasion of the Netherlands in World War II, Rotterdam faced intense aerial bombardment that left the city in ruins. However, rather than dwelling on the wreckage, Rotterdam chose a different path—renewal and reconstruction.
It’s amount of skyscrapers, is a testament to its resilience after facing challenges in the aftermath of World War II. From the ashes of the war, a rejuvenated Rotterdam rose, infused with a spirit of modernist creativity that continues to shape its architectural experiments.
Away with the technocratic
As the late 1960s unfolded and the the city life changed, the initial excitement of reconstruction quietly faded into a chorus of skepticism and critique. The new city center wasn’t exactly winning people over-it felt stark, somewhat impersonal, and lacked the lively vibe people craved. The technocratic approach, with its focus on the technical management of society, gave way to a more sociocratic view.
What the city yearned for was a burst of vitality, a touch of greenery, and, of course, more homes and inviting spaces to relax and unwind. It was time for a shift toward tuning into the needs and desires of the city residents, crafting a more people-centric approach to building and living.
Piet Blom
Let’s explore the world of Piet Blom (1934–1999), a Dutch architect and urban planner whose architectural genius met the standards of a more sociocratic view through his cleverly hidden structures and genuine focus on people. This man had a robust vision for how society should weave itself together, and he translated that vision into innovative and unconventional architectural designs.
To understand where his ideas came from, we shall go back to his origins. Piet Blom’s journey began in the lively streets of a working-class neighborhood in Amsterdam, where the rhythm of life played out in the open. It was in the middle this urban backdrop that Blom nurtured his unique perspective on the intertwining of living and working. From honing his craft as a carpenter and architectural draftsman, he seamlessly transitioned into formal architectural studies at the Academy of Architecture, mentored by luminaries such as Aldo van Eyck.
Even in his formative years, Blom stood out as an exceptionally gifted individual. His instructors didn’t just praise his spatial insight but also applauded his grand vision of architectural concepts. He was a true all-rounder and insisted on getting hands-on with every aspect, showcasing greatness not only as a skilled constructor but also as a visionary and creative designer.
The Cube Houses
In ’77, Piet Blom finally gets the green light for a great project: revamping the Old Port area, which had been kind of forgotten since World War II. The goal was to create a lively urban spot with lots of people living close together, combined with other social functions. It had to be playful and budget-friendly for people who were less well off. Another requirement was to link the area around the market and library to the Old Port that would function as a pedestrian bridge across the busy “Blaak” area.
Piet Blom came up with a remarkable concept which I walked by everyday going to the Art Academy in “Blaak” Rotterdam called the Cube Houses. The most bizarre view of them was when standing right under them, you couldn’t figure out how the insides would work as the all walls (and windows) were on an angle! The striking homes, build in 1982/1984 are supposed to mimic trees. The whole housing complex is composed of 39 apartments and can be seen as a forest in the middle of a busy city.
The Cube House consists of a tilted wooden cube resting with one point on a concrete hexagonal core. In this trunk are the entrance and the stairwell. The cube has three floors: the ‘street house’ with kitchen and living room, the ‘heaven house’ with bedrooms and the ‘booth hut all the way on the top to marvel at the sky. The only vertical walls can be found in the core, the rest of the walls are sloping.
Living in the Cube Houses
On August 17, 2022, the going rate for a cube house was €475,000. Yep, that’s the ticket to snag yourself an out-of-the-ordinary apartment boasting 4 rooms and a comfy 100m² of living space. Quite the unique living experience for that price tag.
Where to see
If you ever find yourself in the Netherlands, I highly recommend immersing yourself in the progressive architecture by visiting the Cube Houses in Rotterdam. One house is open for visits, providing an opportunity to step inside and experience the innovative design firsthand.
