It is an undeniable fact – highlighted in 2004 ‘Content’ by Rem Koolhaas too – that ‘shape is easy’. It is recognisable; works with our subconscious; and in the case of Platonic solids like cubes shape is also a philosophical notion with numerous connotations – starting from symmetry and regularity; stretching as far as our reflections take us. Cubes in particular are also ‘easy’ to build but we believe their importance in architects’ minds stays on the abstract plane. There seems to be a certain inherent relationship between cubes’ geometry and the notions of perfection and clarity of structure. Thus, it is close to the highest honour among buildings to be cube-shaped, conspicuously derivative of cubes, or at least bear a cube name.
Jakob + MacFarlane: The Orange Cube
image: Roland Halbe
70F Architecture: Pet Farm
image: Luuk Kramer
MAKE Architects: The Cube
image: MAKE Architects
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson: Apple Store
image: Apple Store
Tabanlioglu Architects: Dogan Media Centre
image: Thomas Mayer
SANAA: Zollverein School of Management and Design
image: Hisao Suzuki
Sou Fujimoto Architects: Wooden House
image: Iwan Baan
Tham & Videgård Arkitekter: The Mirror Cube Tree Hotel
image: Tham & Videgård Arkitekter
Rintala Eggertsson Architects: Boxhome
image: Sami Rintala
Piet Blom: Cube Houses
image: mikerogers at panoramio
