Shukhov Tower, Water tower and observation deck in Bukhara, Uzbekistan.
The Shukhov Tower is a 40 meter tall water tank built from a steel lattice structure arranged in a cylindrical form. The building combines its practical function as a water supply system with an observation platform at the top offering views across the city.
Engineer Vladimir Shukhov designed and built this structure in 1929 when innovative steel construction techniques were emerging across the Soviet Union. The project was part of a broader effort to modernize urban infrastructure using these new engineering methods.
The structure marks a moment when Soviet industrial design arrived in this historic city, creating a visual landmark that contrasts with surrounding older buildings. Today, it serves as a gathering point and local landmark where the practical and the symbolic merge.
An internal staircase provides access to the observation platform, where you can see the entire city spread below you. The best light for photographs and views occurs in early morning or late afternoon hours.
The lattice framework was calculated using minimal steel while maintaining maximum structural strength through precise mathematical proportions. This optimization meant the tower uses considerably less material than similar water storage systems built elsewhere.
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