Back to your cube, Piet
The kubuswoning — cube houses — of Rotterdam make for a startling discovery amid Google Earth’s satellite sightseeing. They were the work, in the early ’80s, of architect Piet Blom (1934-1999), who also built a cluster in Helmond in the previous decade. MC Escher had nothing to do with them, nor Dali.
The tradional cube shape of a house is tilted 45 degrees and perched atop a hexagon-shaped pylon.
Another source refers to them as paalhuizen, which means “pole-houses”, and lived-in houses are what they are. All 32 kubuswoning in Rotterdam are occupied. One clever owner found a way to fend off the curiousity seekers, by designating a furnished “show cube” for tourists.
The only criticism I’ve seen is that they’re space-inefficient. There’s about 100 square metres per unit spread over three floors, but only around a quarter of that is usable because of the angled walls and ceilings.
I don’t remember this being a problem for Habitat, the boxed set built by Moshe Safdie for Expo ‘67 in Montreal. Safdie was going for affordable city living, but the Habitat units — it’s now a private condo complex — cost a pile today.
Lots more photos of the cubes here and here, or you can have a go at buying one for yourself here at the official site (command of the Dutch language not required).
A clear case of (and this is the cleaned up version) “form fouls up function”. Make life hell for the removal men, these would. But I have to say, I love ‘em. They’re great fun.
You know, Chris, a hammer and nails and a few sheets of plywood, some flash paint, that new place you’re moving into could take on a life of its own. If I were you I’d contact the tourist authority and see if they’ll back you up once the neighbours start complaining.