Amazing Rotunda House Created From Cold War Torpedo Facility
Posted By Branden Klayko On July 16, 2010 @ 2:00 pm In Architecture,Green renovation,Recycled Materials | No Comments
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A British facility once used to test Cold War submarine technology has been converted into an award-winning modern house [5] — and it could all be yours for a cool £ 4 million (or a little over $6.1 million US). The Rotunda in Bushy Park [6] was designed by Norman & Dawbarn architects to reflect the original circular shape of the Rotating Beam Laboratory while providing a bright and airy dwelling [7].
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The Rotunda House is set inside the Royal Park of Bushy in a suburb of London. The park has a long military history, as it played key roles in both World Wars and the Cold War. The original facility, finished in 1955, featured a large 160′ diameter domed structure that covered a 15′ deep, 120′ diameter pool. Model torpedoes and submarines were rotated on a large arm up to 150 feet per second to test underwater behavior at high speed.
While the original domed structure required removal due to contamination, the modern adaptive reuse [9] incorporates a round 4-foot thick blast wall and adds aluminum and copper to create a distinctly modern interior that opens up to an interior courtyard with large expanses of glass. The end result is a truly unique residence with an even more interesting history.
Via BldgBlog [10]
Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com
URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/amazing-rotunda-house-created-from-cold-war-torpedo-facility/
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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/amazing-rotunda-house-created-from-cold-war-torpedo-facility/
[4] Image: http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/16/amazing-rotunda-house-created-from-cold-war-torpedo-facility/rotunda-torpedo-house-02/
[5] award-winning modern house: http://inhabitat.com/tag/architecture/
[6] Rotunda in Bushy Park: http://search.knightfrank.com/rch090049
[7] bright and airy dwelling: http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/10/22/water-pumping-plant-renovated-into-gorgeous-living-space/
[8] Image: http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/16/amazing-rotunda-house-created-from-cold-war-torpedo-facility/rotunda-torpedo-house-06/
[9] adaptive reuse: http://inhabitat.com/tag/adaptive-reuse/
[10] BldgBlog: http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/
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