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[4] The Water Tower: How New is Quicker than Old
Map data: Google, Airbus

Location

  • South East England

Build Start

  • ~1997

Architect

  • Andrew Tate

Total Floor Area

  • 242 m²
  • [Source: EPC ]
A decommissioned water tower in Amersham becomes a family home by pairing a clear planning story with commercial-grade construction. The case hinges on arguing liveability to unlock permission in the Green Belt, then using Beco ICF walls, a concrete-slab roof and curtain walling to deliver speed, insulation and a low visual profile within the landscape.

Site Purchase Price

  • £ 231300

Site Area

  • 1212m²

Site Cost Per m²

  • £ 191

Initial Budget

  • £ 1471900

Total Spend

  • £ 1871400

Budget Overspend

  • 27.14%

Cost Per m²

  • £ 7733

Site Coverage

  • 16.11%

Plot Ratio

  • 19.96%
All Figures Indexed To
  • 02 May 2025

Construction Type

  • Concrete, Gabion, Insulated Concrete Formwork, Steel Frame, Timber Frame

Materials

  • Concrete, Glass, Natural, Steel, Wood

Features

A decommissioned water tower in Amersham becomes a family home by pairing a clear planning story with commercial-grade construction. The case hinges on arguing liveability to unlock permission in the Green Belt, then using Beco ICF walls, a concrete-slab roof and curtain walling to deliver speed, insulation and a low visual profile within the landscape.

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Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 1
Thoroughly Research Planning Regulations

Before committing to a self-build, educate yourself about local planning regulations. This project took three and a half years to get through planning, highlighting the importance of understanding what is permissible in your area, particularly in Greenbelt locations.

  • Planning Permission, Regulations

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 2
Visualise Your Need For Extensions

Clearly articulate your reasons for needing an extension—convince the planners that it enhances liveability. Andrew and Deborah’s plans hinged on arguing that an extension was necessary to make the tower habitable, which proved crucial in securing planning permission.

  • Design, Planning Permission

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 3
Engage The Community

Building community support can be beneficial. Gathering local support for planning applications helped their case significantly. Engage with neighbours and community members early in your planning process.

  • Working With Others

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 4
Have A Clear Budget And Understand Costs

Set a realistic budget that includes all potential costs. This project faced numerous cost considerations, and having a well-defined budget helped keep the project on track.

  • Budget

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 5
Hire A Project Manager

Consider employing a project manager or having a dedicated person oversee the project. This can greatly enhance efficiency and ensure that everything runs according to plan, as seen with Deborah’s management skills.

  • DIY, Professional, Time Management

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 6
Invest In The Right Materials

Choose materials that balance cost, speed, and energy efficiency. Andrew and Deborah used concrete-filled polystyrene (Beco) walls, which allowed for faster construction and increased insulation despite initial concerns about their structural integrity.

  • Materials, Sustainability

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 7
Prioritise Design Flexibility

Design your spaces to be adaptable to changing family needs over time. Andrew and Deborah’s open-plan design allowed them to adjust easily as their children’s needs evolved.

  • Design

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 8
Consider Long-Term Usability Over Immediate Trends

While designing your home, think about long-term living conditions instead of just current trends. The initial desire for separate rooms evolved into a preference for open-plan living, which had a positive effect on family dynamics.

  • Design

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 9
Learn From Experience

Expect unexpected challenges. The project demonstrated that flexibility and adaptability are key; building often involves trial and error, as well as revisions to initial plans.

  • Reflections

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 10
Balance Aesthetics With Practicality

Striking a balance between design and functionality is crucial. While Andrew embraced modernist design, Deborah Emphasised creating a liveable home, demonstrating the importance of considering how space works for the family.

  • Design

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 11
Be Prepared For Delays

Understand that projects may take longer than anticipated. Life situations and financing can delay completion; patience and flexibility are essential.

  • Time Management

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 12
Maintain The Integrity Of Historic Structures

When converting historic buildings, respect their integrity and work within their limitations. The water tower conversion required innovative design solutions to address its unique structure and tapering shape.

  • Design, Regulations

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 13
Involve Professionals Wisely

While it’s essential to have professionals involved, ensure their expertise aligns with your vision and needs. Andrew’s architectural knowledge and commercial building techniques were vital in executing the project but required clear communication of the family’s lifestyle needs.

  • DIY, Professional, Working With Others

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 14
Create A Vision Statement

Have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with the project. With multiple architectural decisions to navigate, knowing your ultimate goal helps keep decisions aligned throughout the building process.

  • Design, Reflections

Grand Review

  • 4

Lesson Learned

  • 15
Celebrate Progress

Throughout the build process, take time to appreciate the milestones achieved. This helps maintain motivation and morale during long projects.

  • Reflections

Acknowledgment:

This is a non-commercial review carried out for the purposes of study in developing an understanding of the requirements of self-build in the UK.

The views and opinions expressed are my own and is not affiliated in any way with Grand Designs or Channel 4.  All information on this page has been gathered from publicly available sources.

The plot/site information was located using Land Registry and The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Data which contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The lessons learned are derived from my interpretations and observations of a publicly disseminated case study and are in no way meant to be a substitute to the original.

Click here to view the original case study on the Channel 4 website.

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