Location: Varberg, Sweden.

Architect: White Arkitekter AB.

The city of Varberg in Sweden required a new water tower, and the winning entry in an architecture competition, Våga, has completely reinvented the traditional water tower typology. Instead of a vertical and circular tower, Våga is horizontal and sculpted in the shape of a stylized wave. The tower is designed to be a landmark for Varberg, a city with a strong connection to water, and to fit in with the surrounding landscape. The tower is wavy in both elevation and plan, with concave exterior walls that create subtle shadows across the concrete. The tower’s shifting appearance changes depending on the viewer’s point of view and the time of day. The tower is also designed to be a green water tower, with concrete free of pigmentation to prevent contamination of the water, and fly ash used in the concrete to lower the carbon footprint of the project. The tower will act as both a landmark and an essential civic function, supplying Varberg with clean water for many generations to come.

Photo credit: White Arkitekter.