All hail the mighty… Philips electrical company…

Eindhoven went from zero to hero when Phillips set up shop here in the 90s. Since then Phil’s moved on but it left a stream of bizarre architecture and creative juices in his path.

This is Eindhoven’s weird buildings…

The Evoluon

Mars called, it wants its flying saucer back 👽

This building couldn’t look any more like a spaceship if it tried. Built by the all seeing all powerful Philips company to celebrate its 65th birthday (happy birthday to meeeee), The Evoloun was initially a science museum. After failing to make enough dosh, the building swapped lab coats for suits and became a conference centre.

De Bijenkorf (The Beehive)

‘But why isn’t it yellow?’ 🐝

The architect (Gio Punti) used green stones because he wanted the colour that dominated the Dutch landscape. The beehive concept represents ‘the strength, the power and the importance of the city’.

A fancy department store, the hive cell design can be found in features inside the building too.

The Blob

BLOB - Binary Large OBject... *cough* nerd 🤓

This futuristic building is the most iconic in Eindhoven. Designed by Massimiliano Fuksas, the Blob is the entrance to the commercial centre ‘The Admirant’. It’s current main function is to hold 1700 bikes.

(W)ego

“Very psychedelic baby yeahhh” 🍭

Not a permanent structure, this colourful ‘puzzle hotel’ was part of last year’s Design Week. The brainchild of design firm MVRDV, (W)ego is a “concept for accommodation that can adapt to the different needs of any future inhabitants – whether they be families, students or refugees.”

This is just one example of the ongoing creative design in the city. Check out design week 2018 here.

Strijp S

Like that really dry school friend who came up on your Facebook feed with a tattooed neck and loads of arty friends… 🎨

The massive Philips factory is now Strijp S. When the company closed shop, the artists moved in. A creative complex of shops, restaurants, theatre space and one of the world’s biggest skateparks. This cultural centre is bursting with its own weird designs for the future of Eindhoven.