The cube houses were designed to represent a forest, where each house is a tree and the entire complex forms a woodland.
Piet Blom designed the project to solve the problem of urban densification without creating high-rise blocks.
The walls and windows are angled at 54.7 degrees relative to the floor.
Only about 25 percent of the house's total interior volume is effectively usable due to the extreme slope of the walls.
The complex was constructed on top of a pedestrian bridge spanning the busy Blaak street.
The Kijk-Kubus is a fully furnished show-home located within one of Rotterdam's iconic cube houses, designed by architect Piet Blom in 1984. The structure is tilted at a 45-degree angle, resting on a hexagonal pylon to maximize internal space while minimizing the ground footprint. Visitors move through three levels: a ground floor entrance, a middle living area, and a top-level bedroom and bathroom. The interior layout demonstrates the challenges of living in angled walls, featuring custom-built furniture to accommodate the slanted partitions. It serves as a pedagogical example of structuralist architecture, illustrating Blom's concept of 'living as an urban roof'. The museum house remains a functioning part of a larger complex known as the Blaakse Bos.
Stand on the Overblaak pedestrian bridge looking up at the cluster of tilted cubes to capture the geometry against the sky.
The interior is tight; avoid bringing large backpacks or bulky luggage to ensure comfortable movement between levels.
The stairs are steep and narrow; use caution if you have mobility limitations.
Check the official website for rare temporary closures before visiting, as it is a private residence converted into a show unit.
Do not attempt to photograph the interiors of neighboring cube houses that are clearly marked as private residences.
Open daily throughout the year, but may have limited access during major Dutch public holidays.
