Would I want to live here? Probably not.
But was it fascinating?
Absolutely.
When people think of Rotterdam architecture, one building usually comes to mind first: the Cube Houses.
These bright yellow tilted cubes look as if they shouldn’t exist at all. Somehow they balance above the street, creating one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Netherlands.
After seeing them countless times from the outside, I finally visited the Cube House Museum to see what life inside one of these famous homes is actually like.
▶︎ Book Cube House tour here >>
▶︎ Stay overnight inside a Cube House >>
And honestly, it was even stranger than I expected.
- What Are the Cube Houses?
- The Exterior Is Weird in the Best Possible Way
- What Is It Like Inside?
- The Top Floor Feels Like a Spaceship
- Is It Actually Comfortable to Live In?
- Why Rotterdam Has Buildings Like This
- More Architecture Spots Near the Cube Houses
- Can You Stay Overnight in a Cube House?
- Final Thoughts: I Wouldn’t Want to Live Here, But I’m Glad It Exists
What Are the Cube Houses?
The Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) were designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom and completed in 1984.
They are still real homes today, with residents living inside these unusual structures.
The most striking feature is obvious:
Each cube is tilted at a 45-degree angle.
But the design wasn’t created simply to look unusual.
Blom’s concept was to create “a forest within a city.”
- The concrete columns represent tree trunks.
- The cubes represent the tree canopies.
Viewed together, the entire complex becomes an abstract urban forest.
Once you know the story, the buildings start to feel less like architecture and more like giant public art.
The Exterior Is Weird in the Best Possible Way
Seeing the Cube Houses up close is a strange experience.
The angles feel wrong.
Your eyes struggle to understand what you’re looking at.
You keep wondering:
“How is this actually standing?”
The Cube Houses sit in one of Rotterdam’s most interesting architectural districts.
Nearby you’ll find:
- Markthal
- Modern skyscrapers
- Rotterdam Blaak Station
- Contemporary public spaces
Together they create an area that feels like an outdoor architecture museum.
What Is It Like Inside?
The moment I stepped inside, I noticed one thing:
Almost everything is tilted.
The walls are angled.
The windows are angled.
Even the ceiling feels slightly confusing.
If you’re used to traditional square rooms, your brain needs a few minutes to adjust.
The biggest challenge seems to be furniture.
There are awkward corners everywhere.
Dead space is unavoidable.
Honestly, it looks like a nightmare for IKEA furniture.
And yet…
there’s something fun about it.
The house feels like a giant treehouse or secret hideout.
It’s clearly a building designed around experience rather than practicality.
The Top Floor Feels Like a Spaceship
As you move higher through the house, the rooms become even more unusual.
The upper floor narrows dramatically and starts to feel almost futuristic.
The best comparison I can think of?
A spaceship.
The angled windows frame Rotterdam in unexpected ways.
Instead of looking through a normal window, it feels as though you’re looking at the city through a piece of architecture.
The view itself becomes part of the design.
Is It Actually Comfortable to Live In?
To be honest:
Probably not.
You have:
- Steep stairs
- Slanted walls
- Limited furniture options
- Lots of awkward corners
From a practical perspective, there are countless homes that would be easier to live in.
But practicality was never the point.
The Cube Houses feel like a statement:
“What if housing didn’t have to be ordinary?”
Why Rotterdam Has Buildings Like This
Rotterdam is very different from Amsterdam.
Much of the city center was destroyed during World War II and later rebuilt.
Rather than recreating the past, Rotterdam embraced experimentation.
That’s why you’ll find:
- Bold architecture
- Futuristic buildings
- Urban design projects
- Architectural innovation
The Cube Houses are part of that story.
They aren’t just unusual buildings.
They represent Rotterdam’s willingness to challenge conventions.
Looking at them today, the design feels slightly crazy.
But perhaps that’s exactly why they matter.
Without projects like this, Rotterdam might never have developed its reputation as one of Europe’s most innovative architecture cities.
In some ways, the Cube Houses feel similar to Tokyo’s Nakagin Capsule Tower.
One disappeared.
The other survives and continues to be used every day.
That alone makes them worth visiting.
More Architecture Spots Near the Cube Houses
The Cube Houses are surrounded by some of Rotterdam’s most impressive buildings.
Markthal
A giant horseshoe-shaped market hall with one of the world’s largest public artworks covering the ceiling.
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
A mirrored bowl-shaped building designed by MVRDV.
One of Rotterdam’s most photographed modern landmarks.
Fenix Museum
A new museum dedicated to migration, housed inside an extraordinary architectural space.
Rotterdam Zuid Architecture District
Cross the river and you’ll find another collection of striking contemporary architecture.
Can You Stay Overnight in a Cube House?
Yes — and it’s probably one of the most unique places to stay in Rotterdam.
While most of the Cube Houses are private residences, one of them has been converted into a hostel-style accommodation called Stayokay Rotterdam.
Guests can actually spend the night inside the famous tilted cubes and experience what it’s like to live in one of the Netherlands’ most unusual buildings.
Of course, the angled walls and unusual layout are still there, so don’t expect a conventional hotel room.
But that’s exactly what makes it memorable.
For architecture lovers, staying overnight is a completely different experience from simply visiting the museum.
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to live inside a Cube House, this is your chance to find out.
▶︎ Check Cube House accommodation availability >>
Final Thoughts: I Wouldn’t Want to Live Here, But I’m Glad It Exists
Would I want to live in a Cube House?
No.
The angled walls, steep stairs, and awkward layouts would probably drive me crazy.
But that’s exactly why I enjoyed visiting.
The Cube Houses aren’t about efficiency.
They’re about imagination.
They ask bigger questions:
What is a home?
What can a city become?
More than forty years after they were built, they still challenge expectations and spark curiosity.
And that’s what great architecture should do.
If you’re visiting Rotterdam and have even the slightest interest in architecture, the Cube Houses are absolutely worth seeing from the inside.
▶︎ Book Cube House tour here >>