Water Tower Transformed Into Minimalist Modern Home

Chateau d’eau is a remarkable home made from a reclaimed <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/09/beautiful-balmoral-water-reservoir-house-by-riddel-architecture/">water tower</a> in the small town of Steenokkerzeel in Belgium. Interior design firm <a href="http://bham.be/?page_id=218">Bham Design Studio</a>’s reinvention of the historic structure took a modernist turn by preserving the industrial construction of the original structure and playfully inserting sparse living elements inside. The tower contains six floors, each of which contains a fascinating live/work space. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/renovation/">renovation</a> is intriguing, challenging and unexpected — a true stroke of design artistry.

The ground floor is an open entrance space that features only a small staircase to indicate the richness of the living spaces above.

The second floor simply contains a mechanical room and storage.

An open guest bedroom and small bath make up the third floor.

The next floor houses the home’s main bathroom, where the centerpiece is a freestanding <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=158903">sunken shower</a> surrounded by an impeccably-placed tub, water closet, and double sink.

A slender staircase proceeds to the bedroom, another simple room graced with a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=158910">huge mirror</a> that cuts the space in half.

Next to the mirror is a spiral staircase leading to the living area on the top floor.

The huge room, entered through a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=158912">small cylinder</a> in the middle, offers a beautiful view of the surrounding country.

A subtle and stripped-down <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=158908">kitchen</a>, dining room and living area float above a surrounding <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=158905">sunken corridor</a>.

Lots of open space encourages the residents to contemplate the endless countryside beyond, or the low flying airplanes landing at a neighboring airport.

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