10 unique architectural highlights by Visit Brabant

From a suspended bicycle roundabout to an events hall in the shape of an alien UFO, North Brabant boasts a large number of architectural highlights. We’ve gathered together the most unique hotspots for you. Don’t forget your camera when you visit these structures, because they are certainly photogenic!

1. Spherical Houses (Bolwoningen)’s-Hertogenbosch

These futuristic spherical houses were designed by architect Dries Kreijkamp. You will find no fewer than 50 of these tiny houses in the Maaspoort district.

2. Evoluon – Eindhoven

It’s as if a flying saucer landed in Brabant. The Evoluon is without a doubt the most unique building you will come across in the city of Eindhoven. What’s more, this architectural wonder has never been equalled anywhere in the world. Built by Philips in 1966 and is now a museum.

3. Tilburg Station

This railway station is renowned for its floating canopy, which is known locally as the ‘prawn cracker roof’. Next to this railway station you can admire all types of industrial heritage in the Spoorzone (Railway Zone). Old railway workshops have been transformed into revived concepts.

4. Poort van Breda (Breda Gate)

These striking buildings will certainly catch your attention as you walk through the Valkenberg Park in Breda. The Breda Gate is a residential complex with two towers, one round and one square.

5. Hovenring – Veldhoven

A flying roundabout for bicycles is suspended from a 70 metre high pylon. This exclusive roundabout allows cyclists and pedestrians to move from Eindhoven to Veldhoven unhindered, and without having to cross a busy traffic intersection. It will give you an unusual cycling experience.

6. Cube Houses – Helmond

North Brabant is home to houses in all shapes and sizes, with something for everyone. Helmond has 21 of these unusual cube houses, designed by Piet Blom. After completing construction in 1977 he developed a liking for them and in 1984 he built 38 cube houses in Rotterdam.

7. Kempentoren – Tilburg

This 37 metre high tower in Spoorpark in Tilburg looks out across the Spoorgebied district. The view from the top of the Kempentoren tower is magnificent and certainly worth climbing the 192 steps. In good weather you can see as far as Breda, Geertruidenberg and Hilvarenbeek.

8. Chassé Theater – Breda

You will find the largest (film) theatre in the south of the country in Breda. With three theatre auditoriums and restaurants, Chassé Theater is a popular location for culture lovers. Architect Herman Hertzberger described the theater as the ‘most exuberant’ building he ever designed.

9. Paleiskwartier (Palace District) –’s-Hertogenbosch

The Paleiskwartier next to the Central Station in ‘s-Hertogenbosch is a great example of inner city life; a bustling place where people live and work. It includes a cinema, hotel and various culinary hotspots.

10. Blob – Eindhoven

The Blob is an unusual gem on the Eindhoven street scene. Blob stands for Binary Large Object, which in computer terms means a spaghetti-like mixture of data. It is located on the ’18 September Square’ in the city center. The 25 metre high organically shaped building is made of glass and steel.