We visited the Cubic Houses (Kubuswonig) in Rotterdam a few weeks back. It was definitely an experience to remember. Designed by Piet Blom back in 1984, it’s a whole forest of tilted, cubic housing units skewered on concrete circulation cores.
It’s quirky and strange, to say the least, and I was admittedly very put off in the beginning. But, after an hour or so of delving into its bowels [yes, bowels. cuz it truly feels like you’re moving through the depths of a monster], it won me over with its unique spaces.
The quirkiness kind of justifies itself when you’re inside - having your view pitched downwards to the internal courtyards when you're in the study and living room and then upwards to the sky when you’re hanging out in the attic, all thanks to clever use of form and slanted windows.
Alas, ants burrow cylindrical tunnels underground; birds weave blobs of twigs to form nests and for thousands of years human have generally lived in orthogonal dwellings. I think there’s good reason for that. And as fascinating and fun as it was to experience a different spatial environment, it got pretty darn claustrophobic and uncomfortable in there after awhile; definitely not home material for me.
This encounter, along with the other sights and sounds around Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Delft firmed up a general impression of Dutch Architecture in my mind. I feel it’s a general disposition towards boldness and bravado. Boldness - minus any connotation of heroism or courage; Unapologetic; Unsympathetic; I will do as I please.
Fun and interesting? Yes.
Long-lasting and endearing? Hmm, maybe. Perhaps. Time will tell.
