Architecture Rotterdam #2: A look inside the Kubuswoningen - Cube Houses

Kubuswoningen: Cube Houses

Whenever a tourist asks me for directions, most often they are trying to find their way to Rotterdam's Cube Houses. I always pass these houses when I walk into town. But I never really took much notice of them. It's actually when I saw a post from @jarosalawszafran (brought to my attention by @photocircle) sharing his pictures of the Kubuswoningen, that I decided I'm not appreciative enough of the architecture directly surrounding me. You could say his post triggered me into starting this new series, of showing Rotterdam's architecture .

And you know what? When I actually took time to get a bit closer and have a decent look at this forest of houses (the impression that architect Piet Blom intended them to have), I was really awed by the place. So happy that those random tourists and even my friends here on Steemit directed me there!

Surroundings

Walking from my home, I cross the Willemsbrug then head into the 'Oude Haven', which means Old Harbour. As I explained in my last post (showing you the Red Apple), Rotterdam was hit very heavily by the bombardments of World War 2. In this area, some pre-war survivors are the Westermeijer (which will soon get a post of its own) and a part of this harbour.

This is where I enter the Oude Haven after crossing the Willemsbrug. You can see the Westermeijer (white building) to the left. And the Cube Houses are to the right in the back.

When you walk through the Old Harbour, there are some information boards provided by the city. You probably can't read the letters, but in this picture it says this is the view from the Westermeijer building in 1937, so before World War 2.

Picture from the city archives, from 1937

Do you see the church building with the unfinished tower in the back? EVERYTHING between the Westermeijer and that chruch, the Laurenskerk, has been destroyed. All those buildings and streets, they're not there anymore. Which is a bit sad. But on the other hand, a lot of unique architecture has taken its place by now.

This is the view standing next to the Westermeijer and looking out on the Oude Haven. Again, Cube Houses in the back. Giving you an idea of how they are located.

Getting in

As I said, I pass this area every time I go into town. But till now, I never went to have a look at the Cube Houses from up close. And I had no idea how nice of a place it actually is!

Normally here is where I follow the side walk to the right. I have to cross a main road then, wait for the traffic lights. Now I found out that it's possible to avoid the traffic lights and just cross the road by walking through the Cube Houses!

Here is where you get in. The orange flags are Kingsday decoration - I took these pictures yesterday (27th of April) when we celebrated the birthday of our king.

Just keep following the sloping walkway - it leads you into the 'forest'.

Are you familiar with the work of M.C. Escher? He was a Dutch graphic artist making those sketches where you lose track of perspective, of what is up and what is down, where a building begins and ends. I was reminded of his work as I looked up at the Cube Houses and realised it's kind of difficult to see what is what.

Looking up - Escher effect

A forest of tree-houses

I had no idea there were this many of the Cube Houses. From the 'outside' (the streets below), they don't look so many. Apparently the designer, Piet Blom, had in mind to create the impression of a village within the city. The whole area is elevated and traffic free, the diagonally placed cubical houses are sitting on poles resembling trees (a bit).

As I was walking through the place, and especially because of its quietness and the little areas with green, I really did experience the effect of being in a completely different place. Almost a bit fairytale-like.

The area was very quiet. Just a few tourists looking around, same as me. I guess a side-effect of living here would be that there are always people sizing up your home ;).

Little balcony area

Chess

There were some little shops around the place. Behind this family (all the orange due to Kingsday celebrations) you can see the entrance to the 'chess pieces museum'. We didn't go in, but the outside looked nice.

I felt this picture was best for capturing the 'forest-like-feeling' of the place. The light is partly shaded by the (house)trees, there's a table below and a family having their picknick. Can you catch the vibe?

The chess museum. Now I'm thinking I should have gone in and taken some close-ups of those pieces. Maybe another time.

You can enjoy a game of chess right behind the museum!

The museum's sign - so you know what to look for in case you're planning a visit.

Inside

For a fee of 3 euro's, you can have a look inside one of the houses, the Kijkkubus (look-in-cube). My Rotterdampas gave me free access. These pictures aren't the best, but I wanted to at least give you an impression of the inside of these houses. All the rooms have funny angles, and the windows are sloped down towards the street or up towards the sky.

Funny angle room

View on the street below.

The top room of the house, with a lot of windows.

Getting out

If you get out at other end of the forest, it gets you to Blaak train station, to the Markthallen (getting their own post soon!), to the main library and the market square with the Laurenskerk (remember, the church from the 1937 pic) next to it.

The white arch is part of Station Blaak. Where you would get off if you want to travel to the Cubic Houses by public transfer - train or metro or buss.

The blue and white building in the back is Rotterdam's main library. And yes, probably deserving a post of its own too ;).

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Architecture Rotterdam series

Hope you enjoyed part 2 to this series on architecture from my own home town! There's so much more I have to show you. If you visit Netherlands, don't skip Rotterdam! Thanks for you upvotes, follows and comments!

All content is created by me, and Steemit original.
Camera used: Canon G7X