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Everybody has a dream home. And each of us have our own preferences when it comes to choosing the inspiration for our homes’ design. While most people are just after a really comfortable home with regular structure, some folks take the bar higher and come up with the most bizarre concepts. Just like this family from Belgium whose idea of getting their dream home is renovating an old water tower!
In 2007, a water tower in Steenokkerzeel, Belgium was converted to become a home resided in by the family of Patrick Mets, an architect. Growing up, Patrick has always found fascination in structures in Belgium that were meant for utility purposes such as water towers.
And when he had his own family, the resources and the knowledge required to build his house, he chose to make his childhood fantasy a reality by turning an abandoned water tower into his dream home.
Patrick and his partner, Valerie, combed the Belgian countryside for more than a year just to make sure that they are going to get the right water tower for their cause. When they first saw the abandoned tower in Steenokkerzeel, the couple immediately thought that they are looking at the perfect choice.
It was just a few meters away from the airport and was surrounded by beautiful countryside scenery. However, they knew that it was not enough to just look at the view that comes with the structure but to really consider if the building is actually livable.
In collaboration with Bham Design Studio led by Mauro Brigham, Patrick was able to truly consider the tower’s ability to withstand a major renovation. It turned out that the building exterior was quite strong but some of its interior parts are rusted and needed proper detailing and correction.
Despite the grueling task ahead of him, Patrick was intent in making his dream a reality and decided to buy the tower for $43,000. He planned on maintaining the tower’s original structure but with a modern twist.
Unfortunately, the permits necessary to start the renovation process took too long to be accomplished. Peter had to wait for seven years just to get the permission to start his project. The actual renovation, on the other hand, took another five years to complete.
Patrick was resolute in keeping the building’s unique structure while aiming for a contemporary home design. In order to achieve this plan, Patrick had to spend a whopping $2.1 million!
After 12 long years of waiting and carefully handling the project, Patrick’s dream home became a reality at last! Fondly calling his home a “chateau d’eau” or “water castle”, Patrick finally knew he had found the perfect home for his family.
With six levels maintained from its original design, the water tower had a technical room, storage and utility room, two bedrooms and a spacious multi-functional room. Its kitchen is situated in the former water tank.
Another amazing part of this remarkable building would have to be its third level that was entirely made to be a bathroom! A central 4.5 meter rainforest style shower was installed to give a person a full shower experience. The walls of this part of the house is made of black tinted glass to make it private and more intimate.
Spiral and straight staircases are built to be used when going from one level to another. This could be a disadvantage for some, but if I had a house like that, I would definitely not mind using the staircases at all!
Patrick’s journey towards getting the home of his dreams is definitely not a smooth one. He had to wait for more than a decade to complete it and yet, he did not give up and kept on going until he finally did it.
What an inspiring man, indeed! He just showed us that if you really―I mean, really―want a dream to turn into reality, you must be prepared to do what you must in order to make that dream come to life.
