Kubuswoningen, the Cubic House

EXIN Magazine is all set to present you a different and unique architectural design that is no less than a wonder of the world.  Kubuswoningen, a lesser known fact, is a combination of cubic houses is designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom in the 1970s. By orienting the cube of a conventional house to 45 degrees, and resting it upon a hexagon-shaped pylon, Blom created high-density housing with sufficient space on the ground level.

Blom divided the housing development into three distinct projects: Blaaktoren, a 13-story hexagonal apartment tower that resembles the shape of a pencil; Spaanse Kade, a complex of terraced buildings that surrounds an inner courtyard; and the Kubuswoningen, a succeeding exploration of cube houses on a larger-scale grid. The entire development contains 270 dwellings, 1000 square meters of catering and shops, and parking for 300 cars.

The unique design of Kubuswoningen, in fact is a practical and innovative design directly proportionate to spatial maximization.  The houses inside are divided into three floors or levels. The lower level, a triangular area, is to be used as a living area. The mid-level houses are bathing and sleeping area and the upper level is ideal for spare use, if not possible, to be used as another living or bathing area.

According to Blom the triangular top represents a tree and when the houses are placed together they combine to make an abstract manufactured forest. Inspired and fascinated by the developments of urban planning, Blom tried and emphasized upon the fact that the urban population should feel like they are in the villages. Eventually, he developed the experience of living in trees and therefore collectively represented a forest with his designs.