Water tower in Dirksland, Dirksland
The water tower in Dirksland is a round brick building standing approximately 62 meters tall, built between 1939 and 1941 to supply water to surrounding towns and farms. Its interior features eight supporting pillars against the walls and four free-standing columns that hold a concrete tank storing over 575 cubic meters of water, accessed by a wide open staircase.
The tower was designed by architect J. Gerber in the Delft School style, which rejected purely functional designs in favor of traditional forms and careful detailing. After years of disuse, volunteers and community support saved it from deterioration and it opened officially to visitors in 2025.
The water tower now serves the community as a venue for art exhibitions and gatherings rather than just as infrastructure. Locals have transformed it into a gathering place where creative events connect residents to their shared heritage.
The tower is easily accessible through a wide open staircase that extends to the top, offering views throughout the spacious interior. The building accommodates groups of up to 40 people and regularly hosts art exhibitions and community events.
The tower was crowned with a copper cone roof and a narrow tapering spire that gives it the profile of a Greek column, an unusual choice for a utilitarian water facility when it was built. This architectural detail set it apart from purely functional structures of its era and reflects the designer's commitment to adding grace to practical infrastructure.
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