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Hertogenbosch, the ball houses

Bollenveld, 5235 NL 's-Hertogenbosch, Paesi Bassi ★★★★☆ 562 views
Liana Morra
's-Hertogenbosch
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About Hertogenbosch, the ball houses

Hertogenbosch, the ball houses - 's-Hertogenbosch | Secret World Trip Planner

Hertogenbosch (“Den Bosch”), Netherlands is home to an unusual neighborhood known as Bolwoningen, which means ball houses. At first glance it looks like post alien invasion scene, but don’t be scared; these houses are occupied by humans only. In 1968, the Government of the Netherlands decided to fund an experimental construction of low-cost housing. The architect Dris Kreikampa’s project “Bolwoningen” was chosen, but construction began in 1980. Bolwoningen consists of 50 sphere houses. The balls are made of cement, reinforced with fiberglass. They are mounted on the base in the form of a cylinder. Each sphere’s diameter is 18 feet and each has 11 round windows. The layout of these structures is quite unusual. In the center of the sphere there is a bathroom and a tiny bedroom, and a living room and kitchen, are located on the second floor-level. The house can be completely disassembled and transported to any other place (the weight of this building is only about 2755 lbs). In addition, this building can be placed not only on the ground, but also on water, on a stationary platform. Locals didn’t quite appreciate the vision of the architect, but there are plenty of tourists, who would love to visit or even experience living in these futuristic houses.

Hertogenbosch, the ball houses - 's-Hertogenbosch | Secret World Trip Planner
Hertogenbosch, the ball houses - 's-Hertogenbosch | Secret World Trip Planner
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    Hertogenbosch, the ball houses
    📍 's-Hertogenbosch
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Frequently Asked Questions

The ball houses, or Bolwoningen, are 50 spherical homes made of cement reinforced with fiberglass, each measuring 18 feet in diameter with 11 round windows. They were built starting in 1980 as an experimental low-cost housing project funded by the Dutch Government, giving the neighborhood its distinctive futuristic appearance that some compare to a post-alien invasion scene.
Architect Dris Kreikampa designed the Bolwoningen project, which was selected by the Dutch Government in 1968 for an experimental housing initiative, though construction didn't actually begin until 1980. The project successfully created an affordable housing solution with its innovative spherical design.
Each sphere house has a unique layout with a bathroom and small bedroom in the center of the sphere, while the living room and kitchen are located on a second floor-level. This unconventional design maximizes space efficiency within the compact 18-foot diameter structure.
Yes, the Bolwoningen houses can be completely disassembled and transported elsewhere, weighing only about 2,755 lbs each despite their appearance. Additionally, these structures can be placed not only on ground but also on water using a stationary platform, making them remarkably versatile.
While locals haven't fully embraced the architectural vision, there are plenty of tourists interested in visiting or experiencing a stay in these futuristic houses. The Bolwoningen neighborhood has become a unique attraction for travelers seeking unusual and memorable accommodations in the Netherlands.