An Unusual Idea Takes Shape
In the 1970s, Dutch architect Piet Blom decided to turn architecture on its head—literally. He imagined homes as cubes tilted 45 degrees and raised above the ground on hexagonal pylons.
His vision was to build “an urban roof,” where people could live in high density without losing space at street level. What began as an experiment in the city of Helmond soon became one of the Netherlands’ most famous architectural landmarks.
Helmond’s Geometric Neighborhood
Blom’s first cube houses were part of a project around Theater ’t Speelhuis in Helmond. Construction began after the city approved the experimental plan in 1974, and by 1977, 18 cube houses stood around the new theater. The project had been scaled down from 60 houses after initial funding and parking plans changed.
On December 29, 2011, the theater was destroyed by fire, damaging two of the adjacent cubes. Both were later restored in 2013 and 2014, preserving the unusual streetscape.
Rotterdam’s Urban Forest
Encouraged by Helmond’s success, Blom created a larger version in Rotterdam above the Blaak metro station. Completed between 1982 and 1984, the complex included 38 smaller cubes and two larger “super cubes.” Each unit contained about 100 square meters of floor space, though only about three-quarters was practical due to the sharp 54.7-degree angles.
The interiors followed a vertical layout: a ground-floor entrance, a living space with kitchen above, bedrooms and bathroom higher up, and a pyramid-shaped top level with 18 windows.
From Curiosity to Landmark
The houses quickly drew international attention. Visitors often stopped to peek inside, leading one resident to open a “show cube” for tours. Later, new uses emerged: a chess museum opened below the cubes in 2006, a hostel in 2009, and an art gallery in 2019.
Blom’s design used reinforced concrete bases, wooden frames, and fiber-cement panels for insulation, creating both strength and a distinctive appearance.
A Global Influence
Blom’s concept also crossed borders. In 1996, architects Ben Kutner and Jeff Brown built a cluster of three cube houses in Toronto, inspired by the Rotterdam originals.
Though never expanded, the small project remains a rare North American echo of Blom’s idea. In 2018 the site was sold for redevelopment, but plans included hopes to preserve the unique cubes.
Tilted 45 degrees on hexagonal pylons, the strange cube houses of the Netherlands look impossible.
Designed by Piet Blom, they were meant to create “living as an urban roof,” freeing the ground for public space while turning each tilted cube into a small self-contained home.🧵 pic.twitter.com/GBVbId7jFZ
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) October 23, 2025