Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Innovation
360 degree
architect
floating bed
Janjaap Ruijssenaars
sliding blocks
terraced houses
Tetris game
Monday, 11 November 2013 - 06:19
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Amsterdam architect designs 'terraced housing' with 360 degree views

His design of a floating bed was named the best invention in 2006 by Time Magazine, but his home from a 3D printer was also appreciated worldwide. Now the Amsterdam architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars again comes up with an innovative design: terraced houses with a 360 degrees view. An example of Terraced Housing from Universe Architecture (handout photo) Ruijssenaars started the innovative design in response to a contest in 2009 in Peru. The client asked to design fewer homes than the size of the lot allowed. Following the principle of sliding blocks, famous from the Tetris game, he designed three terraced houses which give every resident 360 degree views, rather than just the front and back. He accomplishes this by allowing floors to stand out. By allowing more people to enjoy the same area, you not only increase the density, but also the quality of living on a small plot, explains Ruijssenaars. His 'Tetris houses' allow for all kinds of new solutions for urban and rural areas, and for effective construction on the water in areas affected by a rising sea level. With his design, the architect breaks the cramped model of terrace housing as we've known it, living between two other houses with only a front and a back view. Other architects like Le Corbusier also played with increased density and a clear view, but not as drastic as Ruijssenaars' design. Now it's up to developers and builders to realize the new way of terrace housing, according to the architect.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Erasmus hospital was warned about student Fouad L., suspected of killing 3 in Rotterdam
  • Annual inflation rate drops to 0.2%, lowest in 7 years; Groceries 10% more expensive
  • Amsterdam to give car traffic less priority as streets and sidewalks fill up
  • Third victim, a 14-year-old girl, dies from injuries in Rotterdam shootings
  • Schiphol Airport to cut 12,400 flight movements next summer
  • Two killed, teen critically injured in Rotterdam shootings; Suspect a med student

Top stories

  • Erasmus hospital was warned about student Fouad L., suspected of killing 3 in Rotterdam
  • Annual inflation rate drops to 0.2%, lowest in 7 years; Groceries 10% more expensive
  • Third victim, a 14-year-old girl, dies from injuries in Rotterdam shootings
  • Two killed, teen critically injured in Rotterdam shootings; Suspect a med student
  • Suspect arrested in Erasmus hospital shooting and fires; At least one dead
  • Two injured in Erasmus hospital shooting; Suspect on the run

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content