Industrial designer converts a 1960s water tower into a family home and it’s ridiculously cool

It takes a bold industrial designer to look past rust and concrete and turn a towering water tower into a truly quirky home.

Matt and his wife Alli, who are both industrial designers, bought the 1964 concrete tower in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, without ever properly stepping inside.

They trusted planning approvals and their own experience renovating homes, and quickly got to work.

After four years of working on the project, the structure went from sealed infrastructure to sky-high escape.

DISCOVER SBX CARS – The global premium auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie

A water tower isn’t exactly the easiest place to build a home

Instead of treating it like a normal house, the couple designed it from the top down.

The former water tank at the summit is now the main kitchen and living space, a circular room wrapped in windows and countryside views.

Of course, if you’re climbing that many stairs, the reward better be spectacular.

Luckily, this quirky home delivers.

Below sit two floors of bedrooms, four doubles in total, all with ensuites, while the lower levels hide utilities, plant systems, and even a compact home office.

Getting there was a logistical puzzle.

Thick concrete had to be cut for new windows and floors, massive core drills carved access points, and materials were hauled up using lifts and creative rigging.

At one stage, a bathtub hung in midair for months, because there was simply no easy route up the stairwell.

And in case you’re wondering why he didn’t just install an elevator, UK building regulations made it unfeasible.

Click the star icon next to supercarblondie.com in Google Search to stay ahead of the curve on the latest and greatest supercars, hypercars, and ground-breaking technology

It’s both cosy and safe inside

Inside, it is a mid century dream.

Walnut cabinetry, black granite worktops, Danish furniture, reeded glass, and bold color choices give the brutalist shell a warm retro soul.

Smart lighting runs throughout, with programmable scenes and even exterior light setups that can make the tower glow like a giant dot matrix display on special occasions.

Safety and comfort were non-negotiable in a 23-meter (75 foot) tall building with one main exit.

The couple installed industrial-grade sprinklers, two-hour fire-rated construction, and underfloor heating powered by a high-efficiency heat pump.

At the very top, the roof offers 360-degree views across fields and villages, with London’s skyline visible on clear days.

And while it’s not nearly as tall as this house built on top of a skyscraper, this quirky home on top of a water tower definitely wins in terms of sheer ingenuity.

If you want to know more about the full design process, you can check out the video below:

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie