What Type of Water Tower Gets You Wet?

Although many people might believe water towers are exclusive to New York City and other large cities, that isn't true. Water towers are scattered all over the country and the world and their uses range from merely aesthetic to actually supplying water to people. Many cites in states across America are tearing down these structures because they are seen as eyesores and taking up to much space. Especially in today's economy if something isn't profitable it's gone.  If schools and hospitals are getting shut down you know a water tower is easily expendable. So what is saving the old structures from becoming extinct outside large cities and places that don't require them. INNOVATION!

In the United States a company called Landmark is setting the standard for water tank design. First composite elevated tanks provide more than 75 percent of water from elevated sources.  But their tanks are very good because they provide a 15-20% cost advantage in maintenance and can hold up to 3.5 million gallons of water. The concrete pedestal is maintenance free and its concrete dome supports the steel tank floor, eliminating condensation and the need for protective ceilings. Inside the pedestal the tank can have several floors of office space and house fire emergency stations with truck bays and water pumping stations. Outside, the tank can have custom graphics and be a source of lighting for the community.  So this water tower can service as a lighthouse, landmark, fire station, and office building in  one, thats multi-tasking!

Addison, a environmental company in Texas is creating one of the first water towers to be completely powered by wind and serve as a piece of art. The wind turbines on top will provide enough energy to run the tower and the street lights below! At the base there will be a classroom where people can learn about wind power and water distribution. These are a few ways in the United States innovation is being used to create effective uses for water towers.

Water towers are also being used as homes. Some of the older water towers built are being cleared out inside and being transformed into luxury houses. It is like having a whole condo for yourself (if you can afford it!). These water tower homes provide a new twist on living green because there is no need for land clearing and demolition, land filling, or need for structural materials. The high glass ceilings are natural for thermal heating. 

Internationally water tank innovation is changing the lives of many people. In Darfur, Sudan the water tower skyscraper design by Polish architect design firm H3AR is creating a multipurpose building to pump water from a underground region of Sudan. What is so amazing about the structure is how important it will be in the lives of the people in the region. It will serve as a treatment plant for water, hospital, school, and a food storage center. This structure is being built compressed dry clay bricks, with a mixture of cement and earth to reduce environmental impacts. It uses two water circulation processes, one to heat and cool the building and the other for kitchens and toilets.

Finally, Castle in the Sky, a water tower concept for Latina, Italy takes innovation to ANOTHER LEVEL! It includes a public garden space, a sky deck, and a device that vaporizes the tower's water and creates rain! Yes, THE TOWER LITERALLY MAKES IT RAIN! The tower sits on a reservoir of incoming water and the shaft of the tower is coated in reflective material to make it appear as if it's disappearing as it rises in the sky! The top can be reached by an elevator, and the sky deck is used for festivities or just a view of the city. Water is pumped up to keep the plants above watered and moisture around the tower keeps the gardens below with enough precipitation. 

Talk about innovation! Who would have guessed something thought to be somewhat useless could be so useful and in so many ways.

Second Stories: Blog #1

Walking from UB's South Campus down Main Street up to Hertel Ave. I noticed several distinct features about the buildings and structures of the surrounding area. The first thing that stood out to me that I had never really paid attention to was the style in which pretty much every store had. They all had an open view or glass windows that you could see what was going on inside or being advertised. For example, the exterior Jim's Steakout reminded me of a classic restaurant in a 50's drive in diner minus the drive in (because its on the sidewalk). Almost all of the establishments give passers by the opportunity to gaze inside and see what's going on inside. Another feature was, most stores appeared if they were once homes before they were businesses. They must have had people living on the first floor at some point and maybe still have people living upstairs in some of these establishments.  If I had to guess, I would assume they started out as family businesses and never were rebuilt. In fact that is what gives the stores along Main Street that "retro" feel. There were even two older looking comic book stores, and comic books are like cassette and VHS tapes, very old! Most of the buildings look the same from the time they were probably first built. The buildings feature painted wood that looks like its been painted over once or twice since its been there. This is a huge contrast in comparison to the modern look of UB's south campus. It feels as if you are moving from modern to retro in a matter of a few blocks. One store that was a must to photo was the Parkside Candies Shop. This building looks as if its appearance was deliberately maintained to retain that classic touch. What also jumped out at me while taking a photo of the store was the plaque dedicated to the World War 2 veterans that served from University Heights. I wonder was it really there from 1941. The Chapels along main look as if they have received maintenance from the time they were built, but most of the buildings appear in the original form. Im guessing these buildings were constructed in the 1940's-50's. An indicator that they were built around the same time is the dulling paint on some of the buildings and the similar building structures.