기억의 재구성. 워터타워 리노베이션 프로젝트는 기존 -1931년도에 지어진- 구축물을 현재의 공간 속에 새롭게 조명하는데서 시작된다. 콘크리트 구조물과 벽돌의 외형적 특징을 고스란히 유지한채 내부 낡은 계단을 철거-너무 낡아 건축가의 의도 및 공간을 재구성하는데 부적합-, 지역 주민들에게 이 지역의 랜드스케이프를 전망 할 수 있는 전망대로 공간을 복원한다. 새롭게 디자인된 계단실은 칩보드와 스틸프레임을 이용, 풍부한 공간감을 제공하는 한편 전망을 위한 기능을 충실히 수행한다. 이를 통해 리노베이션된 워터타워는 거대한 기념비물로 또다른 모놀리스 랜드스케이프화 되어 장소의 기억을 회복한다.
reviewed by SJ, 오사
Viewpoint Sint Jansklooster
The water tower is naturally a landmark in the landscape of De
Wieden. This iconic building has now been made inhabitable. Its new
public function, the "route architecturale" and the windows to the
surroundings reinforce this even more. Connecting the people, the
landscape and the monumental water tower has ensured a reinforcement of a
feeling of identity that is linked to the place.
Introduction
The water tower is situated in the middle of a protected nature
reserve owned by Nature Monuments; De Wieden in the province Overijssel.
BOEi and Nature Monuments took up the plan to transform the tower to a
watchtower. A spectacular "route architecturale" will lead you up to a
height of 45 metres. Upstairs four windows give you a 360 degree view of
De Wieden.
Design
The journey upstairs begins with a closed staircase that leads to the
first floor on 4 metres height. Here you have arrived in a room that is
24 metres in height and houses a spectacle of old and new stairs. The
new stairs that lead through the body of the water tower has been made
of wood. This, on the one hand, adds a warm element that contrasts with
the stark concrete walls of the tower. On the other hand it is a gesture
to Nature Monuments by using a raw and unpolished natural material. By
adding the new route complementary to the old existing one, spatial
interaction is created. Where the old stairs led up alongside the walls,
the new stairs zigzag across the tower to reinforce spatial perception.
The new stairs lead up to the level of the floor just below the immense
concrete reservoir at 28 metre height.
From this level the original stairs went up through a tight space
alongside the exterior of the tank. Now a steel winding stairs depart
from the floor below the reservoir and goes right through the bottom of
the empty tank. The stairs slowly wind up alongside the walls and
intensifies the spatial perception of the reservoir, the heart of the
tower. You feel feeble as a visitor and you get an impression of the
huge quantity of water that used to provide water pressure for the
entire region.
At the top of the tower you have reached the look-out post. The "lid" of
the tank has been partly removed in order to create steps to offer more
of an overview for groups at the look-out post. The transparent raster
floor makes you imagine yourself to be right in the middle of the tank.
Alongside the four small existing windows four large ones have been
added that complete the view of De Wieden. The public makes an exciting
and multifaceted journey upstairs and is rewarded with a beautiful view.
Repurposing the water tower was an intensive track. Not in the least because of the procedural actions due to changing the zoning plan or eradicating any objections or doubts from the inhabitants of the surroundings, who often view the tower as their communal property. The water tower is a national monument, which made alterations to the exterior and interfering with the reservoir a difficult point. The strength of this plan lies in a combination of extreme restraint on the exterior and an architectural statement on the inside of the tower.
from dezeen