In my opinion this unique architectural style involves a mixture between imagination and creativity. A walk among all these interesting buildings is indeed a wonderful experience, one that will fill you up with energy. When I think about my own experience in Rotterdam, the first thing that comes to my mind is an amazing complex of houses, called the Cube Houses.

Built by Piet Blom, between 1982 and 1984, these unique houses have a spectacular design and are definitely my favorite buildings in Rotterdam. The Cube Houses or Kubuswoningen are located on Overblaak Street, very close to the Blaak Metro station. There are 38 small cubes and two so called “super-cubes”, all attached to each other. Built on top of a pedestrian bridge, these dwellings have an interesting hexagonal structure that gives you the feeling of a tilted building.

Their exterior was embellished with zinc panels and double-glazed windows. If you look at them from the outside, the houses seem to be pretty small but they are actually built on three floors. The ground floor is actually a lobby, the first floor contains a living- room and an open kitchen, the second floor contains two bedrooms and a bathroom and the top floor can be used as an extra bedroom, a small garden or as a recreational area. The top floor has a pyramidal shape which offers you a great view over the city.

A few of these houses can be visited and this is an experience you shouldn’t miss. An option would be to stay at the Stayokay Hostel which is a complex of several Cube Houses. It will definitely be an interesting experience. Another option is the Show Cube, which is a kind of museum where you can admire the interior of the Cube Houses and a few exhibits related to the project itself. You might not know but this whole project is based on an abstract idea.It is said that Piet Blom tried to create a stone forest and this is why the houses look like trees.

Whether you love abstract art or not visiting the Cube Houses in Rotterdam will be an amazing and interesting experience.

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This is the reason why it is considered to be the architectural capital of the Netherlands. It is obvious why the Netherlands Architecture Institute was founded in Rotterdam. Located on the North Sea, the city of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe.

Also known as “Manhattan on the Meuse”, Rotterdam hosts three important rivers: the Rhine, the Meuse and the Scheldt. These three rivers create a unique landscape that perfectly blends together with its impressive skyscrapers.

My visit in Rotterdam was quite short but enough to be impressed by its unique architectural style. I was completely stunned by its imposing skyscrapers. A walk among its astonishing buildings is indeed an unforgettable experience and every moment you spend in these locations will be very entertaining.

You could visit the Erasmus Bridge, which is Rotterdam’s iconic bridge, The White House, which is the first skyscraper in Europe, the modern Central Station, the Laurence Church, the Groot Handelsgebouw or the Wholesale Building, which is one of the symbols of its reconstruction or the famous Cube Houses.

I have to admit that the innovative Cube Houses are among my favorite buildings in Rotterdam. I could definitely look at them for hours. When I think about my visit in Rotterdam, I feel a trace of regret thinking that I didn’t visit more.

I would have liked to visit a few more museums, attractions, shopping centers and I would have liked to enjoy more the heady atmosphere of the city. Heady is the word that perfectly describes the architecture of Rotterdam.

In my opinion this city was born from its own ashes, because if you didn’t know, Rotterdam’s centre was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War. I really believe that every failure is an opportunity and the destruction of Rotterdam was meant to happen in order to become a stronger economic, cultural and architectural center.

The Academy of Urbanism voted Rotterdam as 2015 European City of the Year. I believe that this city truly deserves this title and I am sure you will think the same after your own experience there.

All things considered, my advice is to visit Rotterdam especially if you want to discover and admire a unique and innovative architectural style.

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