The Vessel of Ritual

The proposal preserves the tower’s structure, reinterpreting its hydraulic heritage as a contemporary medium for public gathering. By celebrating water as a central tectonic and sensory element, the design transforms a closed industrial relic into a series of spaces for collective ritual and quiet reflection.

The design strategy focuses on a clear preservation of the tower’s form while introducing new, light-touch interventions. Outside, the courtyard is surfaced with a floating metal deck that allows the existing grass to grow through its gaps, maintaining a legible link to the site’s past. A shallow, external pool sits within this deck, serving as a public sculpture that slows the pace of entry and encourages community interaction. Through this engagement with water, the tower is reimagined as a piece of civic infrastructure that weaves together the neighbourhood and its history.

Ground Floor: The Permeable Arcade

The ground floor is converted into an interior arcade, functioning as a public thoroughfare that restores connectivity between the housing areas previously separated by the site’s fencing. This level acts as a platform for circulation—both across the site and vertically through the building—defined by durable new floor finishes, graphic decals, and loose furniture that allow for flexible community use.

Level 1: The Sensory Threshold

This level serves as a darkly lit transition space designed for cleansing and preparation. It functions as an atmospheric pause where the acoustic presence of water resets the senses; a strategic skylight provides a singular point of orientation, guiding visitors through the gloom toward the stairs leading to the primary assembly space above.

Level 2: The Elevated Sanctuary

Occupying the tower’s crown, the internal volume is defined by the geometry of the original water tank. Natural light fills the chamber, highlighting the building’s industrial tectonics and drawing focus to a central pan. This pan collects a rhythmic sequence of water droplets falling from the tank above, creating a serene environment for meditation.

Basement Level 1: The Subterranean Hall

This subterranean volume is designed for mass gathering, mirroring a conventional hall layout. The sacred atmosphere is heightened by the presence of the external courtyard pool directly above; narrow apertures allow light to reflect off the water’s surface, casting constant, rippling patterns across the ceiling to animate the concrete interior.

Basement Level 2: The Cloistered Suite

Tucked beneath the main assembly hall, this level provides private, living quarters for visiting pastors and guests. It prioritizes functional seclusion and quiet, offering a protected retreat for those facilitating the building's programs while maintaining the project's broader commitment to material simplicity.The proposal preserves the tower’s structure, reinterpreting its hydraulic heritage as a contemporary medium for public gathering. By celebrating water as a central tectonic and sensory element, the design transforms a closed industrial relic into a series of spaces for collective ritual and quiet reflection.