The water tower featured on the popular British home renovation show, Grand Designs, is located in the village of Great Brington, Northamptonshire, England. The Grade II listed building was originally constructed in 1858 and has been renovated several times over the years.
It is owned by Kevin McCloud, the presenter and architect behind Grand Designs, who originally bought the property in 2003 after it had been left empty for 20 years. McCloud restored the building with the help of its former owner, an architectural historian.
The tower has its own garden with flower beds and a large lawn, as well as an outdoor swimming pool. The tower itself is five storeys high and inside, it has two bedrooms and a bathroom. On the ground floor, there is a kitchen, dining room, study, and living room.
The building’s interior is decorated with colourful furniture and artwork, combined with tongue-and-groove timber walls, original cast iron fireplaces, tiled floors, and exposed brickwork. It also features photovoltaic panels and a rainwater tank.
The water tower is open to visitors who are invited to attend various events hosted at the property. The Grand Designs team also feature it in their TV projects and online content.
What is Kennington water tower worth?
The exact value of Kennington Water Tower is difficult to accurately pinpoint. The Victorian-era 50-foot tower is considered a protected building, meaning that it cannot be demolished or changed. Additionally, it is located in a desirable area of London, close to both the Houses of Parliament and the Thames River.
As a result of its historical and cultural significance and attractive location, many experts believe the Kennington Water Tower is quite valuable. A unique property like this is unlikely to ever appear on the open market and it is believed to be worth millions of pounds.
The exact figure would depend on many factors, including the size of the plot of land the tower is located on, current market conditions, and the budget of the potential buyer. Ultimately, the actual value of the Kennington Water Tower is impossible to accurately determine without specific details.
Who lived in a water tower?
While many people associate water towers with rural towns and agricultural regions, there is actually a unique and growing trend of people living in water towers throughout the United States and other parts of the world.
While water towers are often tall, rustic structures towering above their surrounding landscape, many of them have been transformed into rustic, yet luxurious homes.
One notable example of someone living in a water tower is fashion designer Colleen Jordan. She converted a 22,000-gallon, 92-year-old tower on her family’s property into an incredible modern home. Located in Temecula, California, her water tower home is equipped with two full bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen/dining area, surrounded by ample windows to provide lots of natural light.
Other areas around the world have seen similar transformations of water towers into residential dwellings. Marcelo Ertorteguy of Argentina converted one into an amazing three-level home in the countryside an hour outside of Buenos Aires.
From the outside, the water tower still looks like your typical water tower, but inside he has crafted an incredibly light and airy living space brimming with natural light.
Grand Designs Australia host Peter Maddison, has documented many other unique dwellings that were transformed from water towers and other industrial structures, such as a stunning four-bedroom modern house in Sussex, England, crafted from decommissioned East Grinstead water tower.
These incredible transformations show that, instead of demolishing an obsolete structure, they can often be re-purposed to serve as a luxurious and unique home.
Can you turn a water tower into a house?
Yes, it is possible to turn a water tower into a house. In fact, this is becoming an increasingly popular trend for creative home transformations. The process begins with prepping the tower, which includes removing the interior walls and floors, as well as the rusty old tank that houses the water or other liquids.
Once the tower is prepped, it’s time for the fun part – converting the structure into a livable space. This can be done by either purchasing off-the-shelf designs or putting together a custom setup. Interior designs usually involve either a two-story or two-story/loft setup with a spacious living area and an open kitchen.
Extra features can include a large window with a rooftop terrace, as well as an entertainment deck on the roof. Once the blueprints are finalized and the basic construction is finished, the next steps involve upgrading insulation, adding new drywall, and reinforcing the windows and flooring.
Finally, it’s time to bring in the furniture and other finishing touches, creating the perfect hideaway.
Why did the water tower survived the Chicago fire?
The exact reason the water tower survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 is not known for certain. However, it is believed that the fireproof masonry of the tower, combined with the fact it was not in the direct line of advance of the fire, was enough to prevent it from sustaining any damage during the event.
Additionally, its encasement acted as a physical barrier to the flames. The tower, located at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Chicago Avenue, was one of few structures in the area that remained unscathed by the extensive fire.
This phenomenon has been attributed to the building’s water-resistant limestone walls, which were nearly three feet thick. Thus, the strength of its stonework construction in the face of the intense blaze likely helped it to remain standing.
Additionally, its purpose as a source of water aided in preventing the fire from spreading further, as firefighters had access to the tower’s components to help combat the extreme flames.
Are water towers still used in the UK?
Yes, water towers are still used in the UK, although they are becoming less common than in the past due to alternative sources of water storage. Water towers are used in many parts of the UK, but particularly in rural areas, to store large amounts of water in one place.
This can be used to help meet the needs of those living in the local community, while ensuring a reliable water supply. Water towers are also used to regulate water pressure and are more cost-effective than other methods of water storage.
In urban areas, water towers are being replaced with underground water tanks and reservoirs, which take up less space and can be better equipped for emergency water supply. However, water towers still remain an important part of the UK water system.
Where is the Grand Designs water tower?
The iconic water tower from the British television show Grand Designs is located in Earl’s Court, London. Constructed in 2010 and designed by the architect Omar Merchant, the water tower was featured in one of the first episodes of Grand Designs and went on to become a popular tourist attraction.
The tower stands at an impressive 26m tall and is constructed using a steel frame with 11mm thick concrete walls that give it a unique curved shape. Located close to busy Kensington High Street, the tower has become a prominent landmark of the area.
How does a Victorian water tower work?
A Victorian water tower works by using gravity and natural arch action to store water. Water is delivered to the tower from a reservoir, such as a lake or river, either by pumping or siphoning. It then flows through a large, steel pipe – the intake pipe – at the base of the tower, up to the top and into the tower’s large, metal tank.
The tank is usually shaped like a cylinder, mushroom or pagoda and can hold thousands of gallons of water. The tank is equipped with a safety overflow valve and a vent that releases air pressure to prevent the water pressure in the tower from becoming too great.
The water stored inside the tank then flows through the pipes of the distribution system, typically making its way into community reservoirs and then to the homes and businesses of those living in the area.
The process is driven almost solely by the force of gravity, meaning that a Victorian water tower requires no mechanical means of loading and unloading, making it highly efficient and cost-effective.
Can a water tower fall?
Yes, a water tower can fall. Many water towers are relatively tall structures, and they can become top-heavy if they are not designed and maintained properly. Not only can improperly designed or maintained towers collapse, but they can also be damaged by natural disasters or other factors that lead to instability.
Additionally, a water tower can be susceptible to extreme weather events like heavy winds or thunderstorms, and these can cause the structure to be destabilized and potentially collapse. Hence, all water tower designs should take into account potential wind loading, and should be routinely inspected to make sure that the structure is in good condition and is able to withstand environmental and man-made hazards.
Are water towers actually full of water?
Yes, water towers are typically filled with water. The purpose of a water tower is to provide a reservoir of water for a community typically supplied by a municipal water system. The tower acts as a gravity-feed storage mechanism for water distribution which helps regulate water pressure and keep a constant supply of water to the homes and businesses within the area.
Additionally, water towers also help with firefighting as they are often close to fire hydrants. Water is typically pumped into the tower on a regular basis and kept at a certain level. The water typically comes from a nearby water source or is purchased from the local water utility.
How did they fill water towers for trains?
In the days of steam-powered trains, water towers were the necessary fuel that kept locomotives running. They were filled in a variety of ways, depending on the location and size of the water tower. On large railway systems, like the Union Pacific Railroad, locomotives were required to make stops alongside a full tower to replenish their water supply.
During major line construction, or in locations with few water sources, railroad companies had several solutions.
The first was to send out a water train, which carried a large water tank. The water train would travel to the water tower’s location to fill it up with gallons of water. This was often the most efficient and economical solution, especially in the dry, arid areas of the American West.
The second solution was for the railroad companies to create an onsite well. This was often done when there was no nearby water source, and was occasionally chosen as a cost-saving measure. Typically, the well was dug near the water tower and usually included a hand-cranked pump to fill the tower.
The third method was to install man-made reservoirs. This was much more common along the railroads with more resources, and involved creating a large, artificial pool of water. Often, these reservoirs were fed by an onsite river, stream, or lake.
Overall, the method used to fill water towers varied depending on the size and geography of the railway system. Those in the dry, western United States often relied on a water train, while those in the Midwest or Eastern states might make use of reservoirs or wells.
However, regardless of the method, all of these options were essential for keeping locomotives running in the days of steam powered trains.
How is water pumped up tall buildings?
Water is typically pumped up tall buildings through the use of a set of pumps. These pumps are usually electric and can be designed to move a specified amount of water up the building, with some sophisticated systems able to keep track of temperature, water levels, and other vital information.
At the base of the building, a main water storage tank is usually located. The pumps are connected to this tank and when the water is drawn from the tank, the pumps will then force the water up through the pipes and out of the building.
This process can sometimes be automated and without someone having to operate the pumps manually, which makes it an efficient method for providing water to a building.
When the pumps force the water up the pipes, it takes advantage of gravity and pressure, and therefore, higher parts of the building draw from lower parts when needing to get the water up. To ensure that the pressure stays constant and that the water can reach all the necessary parts of the building, relief valves may be included in the system.
In addition to pumps and plumbing, tall buildings may also have storage tanks located in upper levels of the building. This way, water can be delivered to higher areas while the pumps are located at lower floors.
Overall, pumping water up tall buildings is a relatively efficient and safe method as long as the right systems and equipment are used.
Do water towers freeze?
Yes, water towers can freeze. This can happen during especially cold weather when temperatures drop to below freezing. When this happens, ice can form on the inside of the tank and on the exterior of any exposed pipes.
Frozen water can put significant strain on a water tower’s structure, which can lead to cracking and even collapse. To prevent this, water towers are typically insulated to keep heat in during winter months.
Insulation helps to protect against freezing, as does having the tower heated if temperatures get too low. Additionally, internal heaters can be used to keep any snow or ice from forming. Most importantly, it’s important to ensure pipes are properly covered so they are protected from freezing temperatures.
What was the original purpose of water towers?
Water towers were originally designed to help with the distribution of water by providing increased water pressure to a municipality’s plumbing system. The water stored in the tower would be gravity fed to homes and other structures, allowing for increased water pressure when compared to relying solely on the pressure from the local water source.
This increased pressure in turn allowed for larger buildings, such as department stores and factories, to install interior plumbing. Water towers also provided a backup water supply during times of low pressure caused by increased demand on a system.
Lastly, the height of the towers allowed them to act as landmarks in a city, often becoming iconic figures in the skyline.
