Monday, 16 February 2015

Rotterdam's Beautiful Architecture - Must See

If you're interested in the history of Rotterdam's architecture, you might find this interesting! Expand your vision and find delight in something that is both functional and brilliantly designed...

Cube-Houses

Built in 1982-1984 according to designs by award-winning Dutch architect Piet Blom, the Kubuswoningen, or ‘Cube-Houses’, offer an inimitable living experience. These 40 small yellow dwellings, shaped like tilted cubes, are each perched on concrete pillars, giving the impression of architectural ‘trees’ clustering together to make a forest. Blom envisaged the complex as a safe, peaceful community, set apart from the bustling city centre below with each cube comprised of three floors and a panoramic viewing gallery. Down among the ‘tree-trunks’, on street level, shops, a school and a children’s playground are available for residents’ use. Anyone dreaming of living in one of these fascinating houses can see what it is like by visiting the Kijk-Kubus or ‘Show-Cube’.

Cube-Houses | © Jan van der Ploeg


Maastoren

The pair of riverside skyscrapers known as Maastoren are currently the tallest buildings in the Netherlands. Constructed between 2006 and 2010 and designed by the Odile Decq Benoit Cornette and Dam en Partners Architecten firms, they are made principally of aluminium that grows lighter in shade as it approaches the sky with each tower topped by a glass viewing gallery. The tallest of the pair measures 181 metres and has 44 floors while the other rises to almost 100 metres in height. Both house the offices of several prestigious corporations so unfortunately it is not possible for regular visitors to go inside, but the outside view can be admired from many spots along the River Maas.

Maastoren from the river | © Daarzijn







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