Architecture

Offshore WWII watch tower to receive green renovation

Offshore WWII watch tower to receive green renovation
The Second World War relic was once used to guard a German torpedo plant (Image: MFRMGR)
The Second World War relic was once used to guard a German torpedo plant (Image: MFRMGR)
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MFRMGR reports that it expects to complete the renovation project by 2016 (Image: MFRMGR)
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MFRMGR reports that it expects to complete the renovation project by 2016 (Image: MFRMGR)
The Second World War relic was once used to guard a German torpedo plant (Image: MFRMGR)
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The Second World War relic was once used to guard a German torpedo plant (Image: MFRMGR)
The architects plan to add an upper floor to the two story building (Image: MFRMGR)
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The architects plan to add an upper floor to the two story building (Image: MFRMGR)
Located in Zatoka Pucka, Poland, the existing torpedo watch tower is currently largely abandoned (Image: MFRMGR)
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Located in Zatoka Pucka, Poland, the existing torpedo watch tower is currently largely abandoned (Image: MFRMGR)
The facility will operate using electricity generated from a number of wind turbines and a solar power array (Image: MFRMGR)
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The facility will operate using electricity generated from a number of wind turbines and a solar power array (Image: MFRMGR)
A petrol generator will also be on site in case of power outages (Image: MFRMGR)
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A petrol generator will also be on site in case of power outages (Image: MFRMGR)
MFRMGR also plans to add rainwater collection facilities, a vegetable and herb garden, and a bird sanctuary (Image: MFRMGR)
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MFRMGR also plans to add rainwater collection facilities, a vegetable and herb garden, and a bird sanctuary (Image: MFRMGR)
As it's located in the chilly Baltic, the site would require something like an ice boat or hovercraft to gain access in winter (Image: MFRMGR)
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As it's located in the chilly Baltic, the site would require something like an ice boat or hovercraft to gain access in winter (Image: MFRMGR)
The top floor will sport a bathroom, toilet, and sleeping quarters for up to eight people, while the first floor will include a sauna, sundeck and storage (Image: MFRMGR)
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The top floor will sport a bathroom, toilet, and sleeping quarters for up to eight people, while the first floor will include a sauna, sundeck and storage (Image: MFRMGR)
The ground floor will feature a kitchen, toilet, and common room (Image: MFRMGR)
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The ground floor will feature a kitchen, toilet, and common room (Image: MFRMGR)
Site plan (Image: MFRMGR)
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Site plan (Image: MFRMGR)
Architectural drawing showing interior plan (Image: MFRMGR)
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Architectural drawing showing interior plan (Image: MFRMGR)
View gallery - 12 images

Polish architecture firm MFRMGR recently unveiled plans to renovate an offshore WWII era watch tower into a water sports hub and research center. The building will also be outfitted with sustainable technology, enabling it to operate using renewable energy sources.

Located roughly 2 km (1.24 miles) offshore from Poland in a bay in the Baltic Sea, the existing watch tower was used in the Second World War to guard a German experimental torpedo plant. It's now largely abandoned and in a sorry state, according to MFRMGR, though the firm says the site does receive some interest from film-makers and divers.

The architects plan to add a third story to the existing two story building, and also brick up some windows and add new windows where deemed appropriate. The top floor will include a bathroom, toilet, and sleeping quarters for up to eight people, while the first floor will feature a sauna, sundeck and storage. The ground floor will sport a kitchen, toilet, and common room.

The architects plan to add an upper floor to the two story building (Image: MFRMGR)
The architects plan to add an upper floor to the two story building (Image: MFRMGR)

According to MFRMGR, the facility will be operated using electricity generated from an as-yet undisclosed number of wind turbines and a solar power array, though a petrol generator will also be on site as a backup source of power. The firm also plans to add a rainwater collection system, a vegetable and herb garden, and a bird sanctuary.

Though accessible via boat in summer, the building will require something like an ice boat or hovercraft to gain access in winter when the bay is frozen.

MFRMGR reports that it expects to complete the project by 2016.

Source: MFRMGR

View gallery - 12 images
2 comments
2 comments
Nelson Hyde Chick
Some images of the tower's present condition would have been nice.
Stephen N Russell
should do this all over EU alone for WW2 sites, be awesome IE retain the bunkers but improve interiors alone & make into a B&B Inn? (France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Czech Rep, Poland, Russia alone).