Watch/Watertower Sint Jansklooster | Zecc Architecten

Designed by Zecc Architecten, The watertower is situated in the middle of a protected nature reserve owned by Nature Monuments; De Wieden in the province Overijssel. BOEi, Vitens and Nature Monuments took up the plan to transform the tower to a watchtower. A spectacular ‘ route architectural” will lead you up to a height of 45 m. Upstairs four windows give you a 360-degree view of De Wieden.

Photography by © Stijn Poelstra

The journey upstairs begins with a closed staircase that leads to the first floor on 4 m. height. Here you have arrived in a room that is 24 m. in height and houses a spectacle of old and new stairs. The new stairs that lead through the body of the water tower have been made of wood. This too, on the one hand, add 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 the spatial perception.

Photography by © Stijn Poelstra

The new stairs lead up to the level of the floor just below the immense concrete reservoir at 28 m. 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 go right through the bottom of the empty tank. The stairs slowly wind up alongside the walls and intensify 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 lookout 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.

Photography by © Stijn Poelstra

Project Info:
Architects: Zecc Architecten
Location: Barsbeek 6, De Weerribben-Wieden National Park, 8326 BN Sint Jansklooster, The Netherlands
Project Architect: Bart Kellerhuis, Marnix van der Meer
Project Team: Tom Leerkes, Mark Gerritsen
Client: BOEi, Natuurmonumenten & Vitens
Project Year: 2014
Photographs: Stijn Poelstra
Project Name: Watch/Watertower Sint Jansklooster