See the project in in The TimesA unique conversion of an existing 6 storey Victorian water tower into a 7 storey dwelling, with a new semi-circular stone built extension at the rear. In addition a new 2 storey annex was constructed, along with a contemporary glazed entrance link block to the tower. The existing tower was totally refurbished, and 3 large existing external Victorian clock faces and mechanisms on the fourth floor were restored to full working order. A spiral staircase from the top floor gives access to the roof top, which at over 20m high offers far reaching views across open countryside in all directions.
The most significant challenges that we faced generally related to numerous technical issues that needed to be resolved in terms of compliance with building regulations, and in particular producing a design that would meet fire safety requirements. An important requirement of the brief was to improve the thermal efficiency of the building, and this was achieved by upgrading the external envelope to reach an acceptable level of thermal insulation without encroaching too much on the internal floor space.
Products and materials that were suitable for use externally in this particularly exposed environment were required to be more robust than those generally used in low rise domestic developments. The windows are powder coated aluminium externally and natural timber on the inside, hinged so they can be cleaned from the inside
The new semicircular extension was conceived as a contemporary alternative to a ‘traditional' conservatory or garden room, and it provides an interesting and useful space with access from ground floor to a walled garden area. Additional living accommodation was created in a new annexe which is connected to the tower by a contemporary glazed link building from which the main tower is accessed via a new solid oak door set within an original stone door surround beneath a carved stone canopy, all of which is now enclosed under glass and protected from the elements.
Now that it has a sustainable use, as a family home, it will hopefully remain as one of the most prominent and recognisable landmark buildings in the surrounding area.
