Old Water Tower Community Center

The complex of the former waterworks has undergone several conversions since it was constructed. The technical buildings, including the steam machine engine room, were demolished and replaced with multi-story annexes. In recent decades the complex has been used as a youth centre and will retain this function once it has been renovated. A meeting hall is proposed at the highest point of this space, in which the main water tank was originally situated. It is equipped with a floor with elevation and an exhibition system with lights. It will be used for gatherings, exhibitions and musical productions. A library has been established on the level below the hall. The clubhouse areas have been designed on the remaining tower levels. The surrounding annexes are used for the requirements of the Children and Youth Organisation and the pre-school facility.

The water tower was originally the only local dominant point with a view of the city panorama. But over time the surrounding land was developed and the tower gradually lost its view of the city, it was blinded; however, our proposed periscope has returned its “sight”. We used the chimney of the steam machine for pumping water to locate the periscope. The periscope can be used to observe not only the horizon and city panorama, but also objects in the night sky, such as the moon, the planets Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and many others, thanks to the powerful optics and electronic guidance system.

The complex has been carefully renovated from the architectural aspect. All the layers of history, from construction to the present, have been preserved during the modification works. We do not differentiate or categorise the individual architectural elements but preserve them identically. The result is a structure that complexly presents the quality of the craftwork and details of various periods. You can find brush grained window from the 19th century next to doors from the nineteen-fifties, sixties and seventies. Aluminium windows from the 21st century, Bakelite, brass and steel window furniture. All composing a spatial architectural collage as it was created by time.