Water Tower House

by Jennifer Chait on October 30th, 2007

materialicious posted this home back in August and I’ve been pretty much drooling over it. It’s not even my style but one, it’s so unique. Two, it’s an amazing use of space when you think about it. Build up not out, conserve land, and make use of old standing material.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about tall. Tall is problematic. You realize this when you’re even just three stories up trying to lay a roof and the wind blows sand into your eyes and you almost fall off said roof. Yes I was wearing my safety glasses! So, much for safety practices working. Me climbing through the rafters half blind was so not the best time ever.

Anyhow, tall can be an issue and not just for freak accidents. There are structural issues, wiring, plumbing, and view codes. If you want to piss off some neighbors go ahead and build tall. All kinds of things. However, if you build just a little tall it can be advantageous. The point is to reduce our uptake of land and if you can build up, right there you save some land if you plan it correctly.

Anyhow this building is tall and old so I figured I’d make a speech. Now that I’m done here’s the awesome home. Zecc Architecture did this amazing restoration and conversion of a Netherlands water tower into an actual home. As materialicious put it, “These guys are good.” Which is the perfect thing to say.