Archdaily : Wintercircus Technological and Cultural Hub / OYO https://www.archdaily.com/1031070/wintercircus-carlos-arroyo-architects #CulturalArchitecture #PublicArchitecture #Communitycenter #CulturalCenter #Refurbishment #Adaptivereuse #Community
Archdaily : Wintercircus Technological and Cultural Hub / OYO https://www.archdaily.com/1031070/wintercircus-carlos-arroyo-architects #CulturalArchitecture #PublicArchitecture #Communitycenter #CulturalCenter #Refurbishment #Adaptivereuse #Community
Urban Design and Adaptive Reuse in North Korea, Japan, and Singapore
https://www.governance.fyi/p/adaptive-reuse-across-asia-singapores
#HackerNews #UrbanDesign #AdaptiveReuse #NorthKorea #Japan #Singapore #Architecture
The Recylery's Saturday second-hand bike sale is this weekend!
🚲 Road, mountain, hybrid and e-bikes
⌚ From 10am to 12noon
đź“… This Saturday (7 June)
📍 Gungaderra Homestead, Harrison ACT
https://osm.org/go/uNlXBJswD?node=12058051322
🗺️ Getting there:
You can take the light rail to Mapleton Ave, walk down Mapleton Ave and take the left onto Otway St
https://www.canberraenvironment.org/the-recyclery
#bikes #AdaptiveReuse #repairculture #cycling #canberra #CanberraEnvironmentCentre #therecyclery
Archdaily : O Plant-based Ton That Dam Cafe Restaurant / xưởng xép https://www.archdaily.com/1030545/o-plant-based-ton-that-dam-cafe-restaurant-xuong-xep #HospitalityArchitecture #Restaurants&Bars #Refurbishment #Adaptivereuse #Restaurant
Archdaily : Brest Post Office Transformation / Chatillon Architectes https://www.archdaily.com/1030565/brest-post-office-transformation-chatillon-architectes #HealthcareArchitecture #Refurbishment #Adaptivereuse #Healthcare #retirement
Archdaily : House of Harvest / Frayn Studio https://www.archdaily.com/1029546/house-of-harvest-frayn-studio #HospitalityArchitecture #CommercialArchitecture #Restaurants&Bars #Refurbishment #Adaptivereuse #Restaurant #Market
Archdaily : Remanso Cultural Institute / Ultra https://www.archdaily.com/1028880/remanso-cultural-institute-ultra #CulturalArchitecture #Refurbishment #Adaptivereuse #Learning
Turning a barn into a cozy, affordable, mostly off-grid home! Would you live in a barn? #adaptivereuse #barnconversion
Musikabteilung Zentralbibliothek ZĂĽrich im Predigerchor.
The 14th century Predigerkirche was the main chapel of a Dominican convent. It was converted to secular use during the Reformation and used as a granary until 1873, when it became the cantonal library. In 1917, most of the collections moved to the Zentralbibliothek nearby but the music collection remained in the choir.
đź“·: Fuji X-T20 + XC16-50mm f/3.5-5.6
#library #AdaptiveReuse #architecture #photography #ChurchConversion
From hydroplane hangar to stunning home! This adaptive reuse project proves sustainability can be bold, creative, and deeply rooted in history. #AdaptiveReuse #SustainableLiving
All I can say is thank goodness for this election!
I use old envelopes to write shopping lists and other notes on. But my supply has been dwindling because I don’t get many letters any more.
Week 1 of the campaign and I already have enough supply to last me several months.
Central St Martins library, London, UK.
Since 2011, the Central St Martins School of Art and Design occupies a former granary and train sheds just north of the King's Cross and St. Pancras railway stations.
đź“·: Fuji X-T20 + XF14mm f/2.8 R
#library #LibraryArchitecture #architecture #photography #AdaptiveReuse
House of Day. Those facade panels are 🤌🏼
https://zarcola.com/projects/larun-house/
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#architecture #italy #larunhouse #zarcolaarchetti #haptic #grain #texture #materiality #adaptivereuse
Standing tall: Celebrating the adaptive reuse of our water towers
All too often across the United States, when a building or structure becomes old, despite its history and/or iconic appearance, it is till torn down when its ages beyond its intended lifespan or deemed usefulness. This applies to both structures in the public and private realm and far too frequently is due to expediency or just plain dollars and cents.
Source: letstalkscience.caOne type of structure that too often bites the dust, instead being preserved, are water towers. Often, the single most visible amenity in the community due to their height (and design), water towers provide a critical service, particularly for supplying drinking water, maintaining water pressure, and for fire-fighting purposes.
Through the years, the trend has been to increase the storage capacity and/or height of individual water towers and their numbers as places grow in population. This has left many aging water towers of various shapes and sizes left behind as a charming relic of a former era or possibly fulfilling a minor role related to its original purposes. The most unfortunate situation arises when older water towers are simply felled to the ground like a mighty tree or are being carved up into pieces and sold for scrap.
Beautiful old “Tin Man” style water tower in Groveport, Ohio being decapitated in 2015 – Source: columbusmessenger.com A felled water tower awaits its fate next to its replacement in Sweetwater, Texas – Source: ktxs.comFortunately, there are a number of places around the country who have discovered unique and re-useful purposes for their aging water towers. This post is dedicated to celebrating and championing the success of those often grassroots efforts by these communities and local citizenry in protecting these wonderful landmarks.
Source: facebook.com/cannerydistrictHere are examples of possible adaptive reuses for water towers (or tanks) identified to date:
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WATER TOWER INTO A WORK OF ART – MULTIPLE EXAMPLES
Many of us take functional items like water towers for granted. Just another piece of infrastructure we pass by on a regular basis. Despite the unique architectural attributes and flair associated with each generation of water towers, seeing them as a work of art may be a stretch for some. But, there is beauty in functionality. Andy Warhol was famous for making art out of the mundane…the common…the functional. So why not a water tower? or even a shorter water tank?
Well, Las Cruces, New Mexico; Brooklyn, New York, and Yelm, Washington all present fine examples of turning water towers into an art form. For Las Cruces, it’s water tanks have become iconic murals. In Brooklyn, a stained-glass rooftop masterpiece. While in Yelm, Washington…an evolving light show.
Beautiful water tank mural in Las Cruces, New Mexico – Source: lcnews-sun.comAnother mural water tank in Las Cruxes, New Mexico – Source: lascrucesbulletin.com“The 32-foot tall water tanks could easily be eyesores that disrupt otherwise panoramic views of the southern New Mexico town. But in Las Cruces, local artists have turned the curved canvasses into works of art. Using a color palette inspired by Mother Nature to share the rich history of the area, the water tank murals share the stories of the Native Americans who originated in the area and the settlers who followed.”
Source: everdaywanderer.com
As seen in Las Cruces, water towers (or tanks) can become a living embodiment of the community’s combined personality–reflecting the history, pride, culture, and overall sense of the specific place they exist. It may not be hung on a wall in an art museum, but an iconic water tower (or tank) can be the perfect canvas from which to work, while definitely making its presence known and standing out from the crowd much like a fine work of art.
Stained-glass water tower in the Dumbo Neighborhood of Brooklyn – Photo source: reddit.comOne of the most beautiful water towers in the nation isn’t even a real water tower, but a rooftop work of art on a building in the Dumbo Neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The artist who created this magnificent stain-glassed work certainly found the simple water tower to indeed be a work of art!
And when a water tower is paired with active or static lighting, their personality really does begin to shine. Yelm, Washington has successful done this with its historic “Tin Man” styled water tower.
Yelm’s historic water tower lights up the night with the local high school’s team colors – Source: yelmonline.com“Through two new projects funded by the Washington State Legislature, the City of Yelm is simultaneously preserving the past while looking to the future. The iconic 125-foot water tower that has loomed over the town since the 1940s is being converted into an art piece, while a new building, to be constructed almost directly under the tower will house a satellite branch of South Puget Sound Community College and a business incubator space.”
Source: thurstontalk.com
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WATER TOWER TO A GATHERING PLACE – GILBERT, ARIZONA
While certainly not the only example, Gilbert, Arizona has gone above and beyond in making its historic “Tin Man” style water tower into a gathering place within the city. Similar to being a branding/focal point of the community as discussed below, an historic/iconic water tower gives instant credibility to a third place with its size and panache often being the hallmark of the site. Just refer to the earlier photo of the water tower in Bozeman, Montana’s Cannery District earlier in this post for a perfect example.
Source: discovergilbert.comhttps://www.instagram.com/gilbertyourtown/reel/Cz4p-UiPoZh/
Furthermore, at last two cities hold annual Water Tower Festivals – Pipestone, Minnesota and Hernando, Mississippi. In 2025, Pipestone will be holding its 36th annual event and in Hernando this year will be the 51st festival.
Source: hernandoms.org_______
WATER TOWER FOR BRANDING/FOCAL POINT – MULTIPLE EXAMPLES
Utilizing a water tower for branding your community is pretty much a no-brainer use of an existing water tower and reuse of an historic/iconic one. Often, the historic/iconic water towers are located close to downtown, in historic districts, or is located in an activity-centered location the community would like to promote (see the gathering place examples above). This makes reuse of the historic/iconic water a win-win situation, as it can be both a giant elevated promotional sign and also a focal point for the attraction(s). Two excellent examples are provided below from Santa Ana, California and Dallas, Texas.
In the Dallas case, as with some others around the country, the wording added to the water tower can help promote a cause or event that is important to the community.
Many more examples of such reuse efforts can be found from across the country.
Santa Ana, California brands itself as “Downtown Orange County on its iconic water tower – Source: instagram.com/cityofsantaana “Creating Harmony” themed water tower in Dallas’ Deep Vellum neighborhood – Source: obeygiant.com_______
WATER TOWER TO AN OBSERVATION TOWER – MULTIPLE EXAMPLES
Converting an existing water tower can be an option for communities to preserve iconic structures. In some cases, such as the Giant City State Park and Peoria Heights Water Towers, both in Illinois, the observation infrastructure were built into the structure from the start. The Peoria Heights tower even has a quaint built-in ticket booth at the base of the tower.
Peoria Height Water/Observation Tower – Photo by author: 2021Ticket booth at the base of the Peoria Heights Water Tower – Source: martin-wombacher.squarespace.comIn other cases, the water tower is opened up a few times a year for visitors to see the interior and climb to the top (e.g. Highland Park Water Tower in St. Paul – see photo below).
And then there are cases ware an historic water tower is refurbished/reused as an observation tower, as is taking place in North Park just outside of Pittsburgh. All are excellent ways to adapt an existing structure (when it still contains water for not) for and alternative and useful purpose.
Giant City State Park Water/Observation Tower, Illinois – Source: pinterest.com/brandigivens Highland Park Water/Observation Tower – St. Paul, Minnesota – Source: historictwincities.com North Park Water/Observation Tower – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Source: uncoveringpa.com_______
WATER TOWER AS AN HISTORIC SITE – MULTIPLE EXAMPLES
Provided a water tower survives many years of use, care, and potential neglect without being removed or felled in favor of a newer or larger structure, it can become eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as local and state historic lists. As a largely ceremonial designation, this honor does not necessarily provide water towers with guaranteed protection from being replaced or torn down.
Meanwhile, there are many historic/iconic water towers that have been and are protected because of their architectural significance or importance to local/regional/state or national history. Here are just a few of them in the United States.
WATER TOWER TO A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING – SEAL (SUNSET) BEACH, CALIFORNIA
The option of converting an older water tower to a residential dwelling (or dwellings) would be considered unique and very site-specific based on a variety of factors from condition of the water tower, to its location to local zoning/building codes, to community acceptanc and other factors. Obviously, a water tower house is not for everyone. But, in case of the Seal (Sunset) Beach, California home shown below, not only is is an historic attraction that offers tours, but the dwelling can be rented.
Source: sunsetbeachwatertower.com_______
WATER TOWER TO A LIBRARY – TOA BAJA, PUERTO RICO
Probably the most unique reuse of a water tower anywhere in the nation is the old Levittown Water Tower in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. Beneath the superstructure of the tower, the city built its library and incorporated aspects of the tower into the building.
Perhaps, more utility departments should consider locating their offices in a similar manner? Another option might be to locate a locate historical society offices below the tower? Despite my criticism of the digital gadgets located on the water tower in Los Lunas, New Mexico (see below), the city’s historical society museum is located directly adjacent and the off-street parking is around the base of the tower.
The point is–thinking outside the box (literally), can help save historic/iconic water towers!
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OLDER WATER TOWER FOR WIRELESS/COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNA – COMMON
The reason I dislike this option is because the communications antenna and equipment detract from the historic/iconic integrity and appearance of the water tower. Though…if the equipment helps to preserve an older water tower that would otherwise be destroyed, then such an option becomes a necessary evil to save the tower.
A water tower in Los Lunas, New Mexico where too much digital gadgetry detracts from the historic integrity the water tower – Photo by author: 2025Preferably, the antenna and equipment are designed in such a manner that the blend in or are camouflaged to limit their intrusion into the original design and appearance of the water tower. Otherwise, the water tower begins to look like an elevated pin cushion.
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As is clearly evident throughout this post, the protection and preservation of historic/iconic water towers can be and has been successfully accomplished across the country. Water towers (and tanks) come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, are constructed of a variety of materials, and are designed in numerous forms and styles. Whether they be a standpipe, a “Tin Man,” a spheroid, or just a low-rise tank; water towers (and tanks) often become symbolic of their community. As such, they play an important role in the history, culture, and dynamics that shape each place. If for no other reason, this is factor alone is why they should be preserved and protected whenever possible.
Source: cdn.shopify.comHopefully, this post will enlighten those across the country who ultimately decide the fate of these iconic structures, while also embolden those who are fighting for the preservation and protection of these landmark water towers in their community. As but one example of establishing and maintaining the context of “place,” historic/iconic water towers are perhaps the most recognizable and identifiable aspect of a community. Let’s work together to make sure their important role is not forgotten with time and is celebrated in a manner that enhances both the water tower and overall sense of “community.” Peace!
Belen, New Mexico formally designated its beautiful “Tin Man” style water tower an Historic Landmark in 2020 – Source: Photo by author: 2025SOURCES:
#adaptiveReuse #art #brandding #cities #community #culture #design #dwellings #festivals #fun #historic #historicSites #history #iconic #infrastructure #landUse #landmark #libraries #placemaking #places #planning #preservation #protection #signs #standpipes #tanks #TinMan #tourism #travel #water
Working list: Tallest water tower in each state
Listed below are the tallest water tower in each state based on available information through the internet. As a result, it is a working list that is subject to updates since details on every water tower in the country are not put online, and water towers are constructed or torn down on a regular basis making the figures provided, pardon the pun…”fluid.” Please note the height criteria is for freestanding water towers, not those placed atop buildings.
Blue Origin Water Tower, FL – Source: orlando sentinel.com Wallops Flight Facility Water Tower, VA – Source: facebook.comWithin the list are new(er) towers, older ones, and a surprising number that no longer function as a holding tank for water due to age, condition, preservation, or repurposing. Interestingly, two of the towers – State University 0f New York (SUNY) at Albany and University of the Pacific/Burns Water Tower in Stockton were/are hidden by the exterior appearance of a bell tower.
Water tower at the SUNY-Albany campus in Albany, NY – Source: loc.gov Burns Water Tower – Stockton,CA – Source: commons.m.wikimedia.orgNo doubt the most imaginative adaptive reuse of a former water tower comes from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico where the Levittown Water Tower is now home to the Toa Baja Public Library!
Source: pinterest.com/F&N AirPhoto Source: adictosadescubrirpr.com/2017/08/06/78pueblos1bandera-ruta-norte/Water towers are often the tallest structure in suburban and rural communities. As a result, their appearance can be an important branding, advertising, or marketing tool for the community and surrounding area. This may include a local high school/college logo, town symbol/logo, something famous about the area, or a patriotic theme. Here are two fun examples (that are not the tallest in their state):
Cawker City, KS – Home of the World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Source: tnemec.com Bryan, OH – Home of Dum-Dum Pops – Source: kiro7.comFurthermore, instead of a bland structure or one covered with wireless communications antenna, many communities have painted/decorated their water towers to be a source of local pride. There’s even an annual national “Tank of the Year” competition sponsored by the Tnemec Company where since 2006, voters have selected the best Tnemec coated water tower in the country. Winners to date include water towers/tanks in:
Enjoy the list of the tallest tank in each state and if you know of a water tower that exceeds the one provided for a given state, please pass along the data and it will be included. Peace to all!
240 foot tall Farmers Branch, TX Water Tower – Source: keranews.org*No longer an operating water tower.
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2. Wallops Flight Facility Water Tower (ca 1960s), VA = 307 feet
3. Air Force Plant #81 Water Tower (1962): West Valley City, UT ~ 300 feet
4. State University of New York at Albany Water Tower (1965), NY = 248 feet
5. Farmers Branch Water Tower (2019), TX = 240 feet
6. Richfield Water Tower (ca 2019), OH = 233 feet
7. University of Alabama Water Tower (2022): Tuscaloosa, AL = 230 feet
8. Braman Water Spheroid (2010), OK = 220.6 feet
9-11. Lewis & Clark Water Tower (2022): Beresford, SD; Erwin Water Tower (2012), NC; and Federalsburg Water Tower (2017), MD = 220 feet
12-20. New Orleans Water Towers (2), LA; Albert Lea (New) Water Tower, MN; Lyon Township Water Tower (2019), MI; Hot Springs Water Tower (2021), AR; Emporia Water Tower (2019), KS; Nebraska Crossing Water Tower(?): Gretna, NE; and Wildcat Country Water Tower (2023): Lexington, SC; Central Water Tower (2023): Macon, GA; and Tower Park Water Tower (1968): Peoria Heights, IL = 200 feet
21. Bissell Street Water Tower* (1886): St. Louis, MO = 195 feet
22. Tie in the same state – Repurified Water Tower (2012): Murfreesboro, TN and Gibson County Industrial Park Water Tower (2020): Humboldt, TN = 190 feet
23-24. Library Water Tower (2024): Idaho Falls, ID and Louisville Water Tower *(1860), KY= 185 feet
25-26. New Haven Water Tank (1998), IN and Berkeley County Water Tower (2017): Martinsburg, WV = 179 feet
27. University of the Pacific/Burns (Water) Tower* (1963): Stockton, CA = 178 feet
28-32. Mesa del Sol Water Tower: Albuquerque, NM; and Kent Heights Water Tower (1997): East Providence, RI; and Weehawken Water Tower (1883), NJ; Dacona Water Tower, CO; and North Point Water Tower* (1874): Milwaukee, WI = 175 feet
33. Hickham “Freedom” Water Tower* (1928) AFB, HI = 171 feet
34-39. Bondurant Water Tower (2023), IA; North Kalispell Water Tower (2024), MT and New Town Water Tower (2023), ND; St. Elizabeth’s Water Tower (2018): Washington, DC; and Lovell Water Tower (2017), WY = 170 feet
40. Camden-Wyoming Water Tower (2016): Camden, DE = 162 feet
41-44. Salisbury Beach Water Tower (2012), MA; West Hill Water Tower (2022): Kent, WA; Columbus Water Tower (?), MS; and Veolia Water Tower (2023): Mechanicsburg, PA = 160 feet
45. Rochester Water Tower (2023), NH = 156 feet
46-47. Levittown Water Tower: Toa Baja* (1977), PR and Government Hill Water Tower: Anchorage, AK = 150 feet
48. Falcon Field Water Tower* (late 1950s): Mesa, AZ = 140 feet
49. Capital Hill Water Tower (2024): Medford, OR = 135 feet
50. South Burlington Water Tower (2024), VT = 127 feet
51-52. New Canaan Water Tower (2020), CT and People’s Perch Water Tower*: East Baldwin, ME = 120 feet
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North Point Water Tower in Milwaukee – Source: visitmilwaukee.com Chicago Water Tower – Source: britannica.comSOURCES:
#36 #81 #adaptiveReuse #branding #cities #design #engineering #geography #history #infrastructure #landUse #planning #preservation #skylines #spheroids #tanks #Tnemec #towers #travel #utilities #water #waterTowers
Archnet is seeking contributions of media and publications, as well as expertise! Please contact me or see https://www.archnet.org/pages/contribute for more information. #architecture #UrbanPlanning #worldheritage #IslamicCities #Art #Pluralism #UrbanRevitalization #HeritageConservation #AdaptiveReuse #participatoryplanning #SustainableDesign #AchitectureAwards
Bibliotheek Oog in Al, Utrecht, the Netherlands
The Cereolfabriek was a linseed and soy oil factory that was in function from 1905 to 2002 near Utrecht. The handsome brick building was designed by architect Gerardus Antonius Ebbers, known for his work on churches and mansions in the area. The complex now houses the Oog in Al branch of the Utrecht library as well as other community services.
đź“·: Fuji X-T20 + XF14mm f/2.8 R
#library #LibraryArchitecture #architecture #photography #AdaptiveReuse
“Östermalm Hall. A building designed to move, adapt and transform — proving that even temporary architecture has a license to thrive.”
#architecture #adaptivereuse
https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/stories/no-time-to-die-how-a-market-hall-became-a-model-for-architecture-that-adapts/
Bibliothèque Éva-Circé-Côté, Montréal, Canada
The former St-Gabriel fire station was designed by Joseph A. Mercier and built in 1891-92. Following the merger with the city of Montreal, it was decommissioned and converted into a library in 1976. At the occasion of its recent renovation, the library was renamed after journalist, author and Montreal's first professional librarian Éva Circé-Côté.
đź“·: iPhone 13 Pro
#library #LibraryArchitecture #architecture #photography #AdaptiveReuse #montreal