THE RW CONCRETE CHURCH: A PLACE OF PEACEFUL SPIRITUALITY!

compiled by team iand; picture courtesy of stijn poelstra; courtesy of zecc architecten bv Located in the middle of a protected nature reserve owned by nature monuments, this is the story of a flight of stairs that lead you up to a height of 45 meters, where through four expansive windows, a panoramic view of the scenic landscape unfolds, enthralls, and holds you captive. The transformation of an old water tower into a spectacular architectural structure – the watchtower – now offers a 360 degree view of de wieden in the Dutch province of overijssel. The ascent to the upper floors starts on a closed staircase that was created by zecc architects and ascends to a height of four meters before reaching the first level. You have now entered a space that stands at a height of 24 meters and is home to an impressive display of both ancient and modern staircases. The use of raw and unpolished natural materials is a figurative nod to the client, nature monuments, and adds a level of coziness that is in direct contrast with the cold concrete walls that make up the tower. The new steps that are made of wood contribute to this effect. The creation of spatial interaction is accomplished by creating a new route that is complimentary to the one that already exists. Instead of ascending along the sides of the tower like the original steps did, the new stairs now zigzag around the top of the structure to improve spatial awareness. The new steps ascend to the level of the floor directly under the enormous concrete reservoir that is located at a height of 28 meters. A steel winding staircase now leaves from the floor below the reservoir and continues all the way through to the bottom of the empty tank from this level, which is where the previous steps climbed up through a tight gap beside the outside of the tank. They make their way gently along the walls and accentuate the sense of space inside the reservoir, which is located at the core of the tower. As a visitor, you are rendered helpless when you realize the significance of the enormous amount of water that was formerly required to maintain water pressure over the whole area. You will arrive at the lookout post just as you make it to the very top of the tower. The ‘lid’ of the tank has had a portion of it cut away in order to construct stairs that would provide groups at the lookout station with a greater sense of perspective. Because the floor is made of a transparent raster, it gives the illusion that you are standing in the exact center of the tank. In addition to the four little windows that were there before, there are now four much larger windows that round out the panorama of de wieden. As you take in the scenery, your cautious curiosity transforms into unbridled exhilaration. “converting the water tower into a new use was a laborious operation. 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; rather, because the water tower is a national monument, which made alterations to the exterior and interfering with the reservoir a difficult point to deal with. The architects come to the conclusion that the success of this concept may be attributed to the combination of great restraint on the outside and an architectural statement on the interior of the tower. Please visit globalhop.indiaartndesign.com in order to see the photographs.