Architect: Zecc Architecten Location: Soest, The Netherlands Project Architects: Marnix van der Meer, Rolf Bruggink Collaborators: Tara Steenvoorden, Niek Wagemans Contractor: Aannemingsbedrijf R. Middelkoop Project year: 2004 Photographs: Zecc Architecten
The water tower, which dates from 1931, was converted into an unparalled twenty-first-century home spread over nine levels. Many challenges are faced in the design: letting more daylight in and strengthening the relationship with the back courtyard by inserting a three-level high window frame; maintaining the interior’s industrial characteristics by working with materials like steel, concrete and glass; and in the tower, ensuring an effective, efficient layout for several small round rooms that lay one on top of the other, while preserving the tower’s spaciousness.