Expo Zaragoza 2008 :: Water Tower

Water Tower, 'Water for life'

Water Tower :: "Water for life"

Architectural definition of the project

Expo 2008’s vertical icon, the Water Tower, houses the “Water for Life” exposition. This element was conceived from the start as not only a necessary visual landmark, but also an exposition area to will be visited via ramps that allow view over both the Expo and the water park, as well as the east side of the city of Zaragoza.  The upper portion is a 73 metre high glass.

The floor is shaped like of a droplet of water, its profiles have diagonal lines and the parasols along the ramps give the building very different shapes according to the point of view from which they are observed.

The building has two differentiated areas, its external appearance and its interior, functional configuration,  base and tower.

• The base is made up of three floors, two of which are underground and the ground floor above.

• The base includes the column of the tower, which rises to a height of 70 metres above ground level. The structure of the inner nucleus of the building is formed by reinforced concrete slabs held up by pillars with concrete walls that enclose the communication centres. The façade comprises a glazed curtain wall.

Exposition: "Water for life"

Purposes of the exposition:

1. From a biocentric viewpoint (human beings belong to nature, note vice-versa.
2. To think about the importance of water as an essential element for water and the survival of the planet.
3. To think about the close relationship between Nature and Culture.

Main themes:

1. There is always the same amount of water on the planet.
2. The metamorphosis of water.
3. Water moves.
4. The creative power of water.
5. We are water.
6. Water, inspiring Mankind.

Audiovisual media and lighting pay a key role in the way the contents are communicated, and enables the visitor to experience not only concepts, but also sensations and emotions.

Complementary to its themed contents, the Water Tower has several unique elements, including the sheet of water (32 metres long and three metres high) situated at the entrance to the base, a spectacular fountain of rain located in its centre.

Once inside the Tower you will find the so-called “Splash”, a 23-metre-high sculpture representing a splash of water, a metaphor representing “the arrival of life on our planet”. This will be one of the main icons of the International Exposition, with a total of 10,400 square metres accessible to the public. The base floor measures 3.300 m2, while the remainder is divided between the different ramps and flat areas of the Water Tower. The upper floor houses a 720 m2 bar with a panoramic view.